Gov. Jim Doyle announced four new appointments to the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents yesterday.

Jeffrey Bartell and Brent Smith will serve as the new public members of the Board, and Mary Quinnette Cuene will take over the ex officio seat reserved for the Wisconsin Technical College Board. Additionally, Thomas Shields will fill the newly created non-traditional student regent spot.

"Each of these appointees brings with them a wealth of experience, knowledge of complex organizations, and UW alumni standing in joining the Board," UW System President Kevin Reilly said in release. "They will now serve as stewards of the university's academic quality, fiscal integrity, commitment to access, and capacity for growth."

For Bartell, a corporate lawyer from Madison, there are real ties to UW-Madison. He received his bachelor's degree from here and has taught courses in the university's law school. In addition to other UW involvement, Bartell is also the former Wisconsin Assistant Attorney General and former State Securities Commissioner. He will replace Regent Roger Axtell on the Board.

Soon to serve as the public regent, Brent Smith, the current Wisconsin Technical College System Board President, will leave his post as ex officio regent. In doing so, he will replace Regent Gregory Gracz. The UW-Madison graduate has also been president of the La Crosse Center Board since 1993.

"I've been on the Board for almost two years," Smith said of his experience. "It's good to be continuing on and putting into play a lot of the things I've learned."

A target concern for Smith has been fostering relationships between the UW System and the Wisconsin Technical College System, with special focus on the goal of increasing the number of baccalaureate degree holders in the state.

"I think one of the big things our two boards have worked on is increasing cooperation," he said, adding he hopes the Board will be able to spend more time on the matter in the near future, following the resolution of some more controversial issues. "My hope is that we now turn to growing the university."

Doug Bradley, UW System spokesperson, noted that while Smith values higher education and the importance of partnership between technical colleges and the UW System, he will now "really get to represent the interests of the La Crosse community."

Mary Quinnette Cuene, who will take over Smith's spot as ex officio, also recognizes the importance of developing ties between technical colleges and two- and four-year institutions. Smith, who has worked closely with Cuene in higher education committees, has no doubt the new regent will "hit the ground running."

Currently the vice president of the Wisconsin Technical College System Board, Cuene is also a learning facilitator in the Business Technology Department of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Green Bay. She received her bachelor's degree from UW-Green Bay and her master's from UWM.

Cuene said her position on the Committee of Baccalaureate Expansion has been beneficial in representing the interests of technical schools, and her new seat on the Board will provide another opportunity for continued work.

Thomas Shields, a UW-Oshkosh student, will be the first non-traditional student regent appointed to the Board following the bill signed by Gov. Doyle last December issuing the additional Board member.

According to Ann Lupardus, spokesperson for Gov. Doyle, Shields fits the position as non-traditional student well, as he is a 26-year-old working student paying his way through college.

He received an associates degree from UW-Fox Valley and is currently the UW System student representative on the Higher Educational Aids Board.

Bradley said that while the "bar has been set high" for the newly appointed non-traditional regent, he is sure Shields will be a positive asset to the Board.

"It is always good to be reminded of the concerns and demands of our students," he said.

Regent President David Walsh praised the appointments as "reflecting diversity and a lot of perspective," adding he is looking forward to working with the new members.

Bradley also noted the superior quality of the appointments.

"We have been blessed," he said. "We get wonderful people [on the Board] who are extraordinary public servers. We've just really been lucky in that respect."