Daugaard Appoints Former Judge to Board of Regents

A hole in South Dakota's higher education has been filled.  According to the Governor's office in a press release, Dennis Daugaard announced that he will appoint John W. Bastian, of Belle Fourche, to the South Dakota Board of Regents.

Bastian, an Aberdeen native, retired in 2013 after serving for 20 years as a circuit court judge in Belle Fourche. Prior to that service, Bastian spent nearly 10 years in the attorney general’s office. He is a graduate of South Dakota State University and Hamline University School of Law, and a veteran of the United States Air Force.
“I thank Judge Bastian for taking on this important role,” said Gov. Daugaard. “The Regents oversee a system of state universities that is focused on quality and affordability, and John Bastian will be a strong addition to the board.”
Bastian’s appointment is effective immediately. He will succeed Regent Randall K. Morris of Spearfish, who served for 13 years on the board before passing away in November.

The board most recently met in early December at the School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City.  The next Regents meeting is slated for March 31 through April 2 in Vermillion.