By SARAH COOKE
Associated Press Writer
HELENA - Gov. Brian Schweitzer on Wednesday reappointed Lynn Hamilton of Havre to another seven-year term on the Montana Board of Regents
Hamilton's term had been set to expire next Wednesday. She was appointed to her first seven-year term by then Gov. Marc Racicot in 1999, after finishing the term of former Regent Jim Kaze, also of Havre, who resigned the year before.
Schweitzer cited Hamilton's experience and passion for higher education in his decision.
‘‘Lynn is a valuable member of the board,'' he said. ‘‘Her knowledge of higher education and her shared passion for affordability of higher education and transferability of credits makes her a standout choice for this position.''
Hamilton would not say at the board's planning retreat in Helena earlier this month whether she would return.
On Wednesday, the former vice chair said she was involved in too many important issues, such as affordability and an overhaul of the transfer credit system, to leave the seven-member board now.
‘‘You serve on a board like this and it comes time to leave and you feel like you have work that still needs to be done,'' Hamilton said. ‘‘I really wanted be involved in bringing this stuff to fruition.''
Hamilton, a 1974 University of Montana graduate, worked for a Los Angeles advertising agency and television stations in Missoula and Great Falls before becoming the public relations director at MSU-Northern. She retired from that job in 1997 after more than 15 years, but was hired last week as executive director of the MSU-Northern Foundation.
Hamilton said she has decided to turn down the MSU-Northern job because of conflicting work schedules with the Board of Regents.
‘‘I decided I just can't give my full attention to both,'' she said.
Hamilton is a Democrat. State law requires no more than four members of the Board of Regents be affiliated with the same political party.
