Board of Higher Education finalists picked


Associated Press

BISMARCK -- Craig Caspers, the vice president of the state Board of Higher Education, has been recommended as a candidate for another four years on the panel.

Caspers, former state Rep. Gerald Sveen, R-Bottineau, and Alvin Eckre of Wahpeton were endorsed by a screening committee Thursday. Their names have been forwarded to Gov. John Hoeven, who will consider whether to reappoint Caspers or replace him on the board.

Separately, the screening committee suggested Jim Dalglish of Grand Forks, Jon Backes of Minot and Ralph Kingsbury of Grafton as candidates for another board seat being vacated by Jeanette Satrom of Oriska.

The terms of Caspers and Satrom both expire in July. Satrom is leaving the board, which has eight voting members. New appointees are eligible to serve four-year terms, and can be considered for a second term.

Eleven candidates applied for the two openings. One was David Gipp, president of United Tribes Technical College of Bismarck, who has been critical of the board's decision last month to keep the "Fighting Sioux" nickname at UND.

Hoeven's appointments to the board must be confirmed by the state Senate.