David J. Jordan Named Chair of the Board of Regents
The State Board of Regents elected David J. Jordan to serve a two-year term as the new chair of th
e board. The board also re-elected Bonnie Jean Beesley to serve as vice chair.
The action took place at their regular June meeting, which was held at Wasatch High School.
Jordan, appointed to the Board of Regents in 1997, is a partner with Stoel Rives LLP, where he specializes in commercial litigation. He is the former U.S. attorney for the District of Utah and has served as the vice chair of the U.S. Attorney General’s Advisory Committee. Prior to his appointment to the Board of Regents, he served as chair of the Southern Utah University Board of Trustees. Jordan earned a bachelor’s degree from Bowdoin College and a juris doctorate from the Vanderbilt University School of Law.
“Nothing is more critical to the future of our state than quality higher education for our citizens,” Jordan said. “I am looking forward to serving in this new role and working even more closely with members of the board, the commissioner, our presidents, and community and government leaders to further higher education in our state.”
Jordan replaces Jed H. Pitcher, who has served two consecutive two-year terms and is no longer eligible for re-election as chair. Pitcher will continue to fulfill his appointment to the Board of Regents.
“Without fanfare, Chair Pitcher has courageously and ably led the board through these most difficult past four years,” Beesley said. “He directed major initiatives including the transition of UVSC to UVU, the USU-CEU merger, 10-year strategic planning and multiple task forces. He was instrumental in procuring many of our current system and institutional top leadership. We all owe him deep appreciation for his commitment, competence and untiring efforts.”
Beesley was appointed to the board in 2003, becoming the vice chair in 2006. Prior to her appointment, she served on the Salt Lake Community College Board of Trustees for seven years, including five years as its chair. She is active in business and community organizations, serving on several boards of directors.
“It will be a privilege to work with newly elected Chair David Jordan, a remarkable and accomplished man, and to continue to work with the other fine individuals involved with higher education in this state,” Beesley said. “In this changing and challenging current world of ours, most individuals and families will require a quality post-secondary credential or degree to be economically self-supporting. This will require a collaborative effort of all of us.”
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