Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has re-appointed two members to serve on the West Virginia State University Board of Governors, and has appointed a new member to serve an unexpired term on the board.
Dr. John Thralls, a former interim chancellor and vice chancellor of administration for the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, has been re-appointed to a four-year term on the board. Thralls is now retired.
“I am flattered to have the opportunity to continue my service on the distinguished Board of Governors at West Virginia State University,” Thralls said. “The University is poised for a bright future under the leadership of President Hemphill and a committed community of faculty, staff and students.”
Larry Salyers, a senior vice president with United Bank, has also been re-appointed by the governor.
“I have enjoyed serving the University as a member of the Board of Governors and look forward to the continued transition and growth under the leadership of President Hemphill,” Salyers stated.
In addition to his service on the WVSU Board of Governors, Salyers is on the Regional Advisory Board of the College Summit, a national organization that works in low-income areas to increase college-going rates.
Joining them on the board to complete an unexpired term is Charleston attorney Paul Konstanty.
A graduate of the University of Charleston and the Albany Law School at Union University in Albany, N.Y., Konstanty is a member of the law firm Steptoe & Johnson.
Konstanty represents clients in the areas of commercial transportation, long term care/nursing home litigation, insurance defense, and construction law. He is also involved in general representation of institutions of higher education.
“I am honored and humbled that Gov. Tomblin has appointed me to the Board of Governors at West Virginia State,” said Konstanty. “In a very short time, President Hemphill has illustrated to this community that he is very serious about moving WVSU forward as an affordable option for excellence in higher education in West Virginia. I’m very excited to be a part of the President’s vision for the future of West Virginia State University.”
Konstanty has been recognized as one of the Best Lawyers in America®, the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession published by Woodward/White, Inc.
He has been with Steptoe & Johnson since 2003 after previously working as an assistant county attorney in Otsego County, N.Y., and having his own practice in Oneonta, N.Y.
Konstanty currently serves on the board of directors of the West Virginia Trucking Association and is also a board member of FamilyCare Inc.
“With these appointments, Gov. Tomblin has positioned West Virginia State perfectly to move forward with our renewed commitment to excellence, accountability and being student-centered in every thing we do,” said WVSU President Dr. Brian O. Hemphill. “The Board of Governors is integral to our success at State and I look forward to working with this team as we continue to build and grow this University into a first-choice option for the higher education of West Virginians.”
Established in July 2001, the Board of Governors provides oversight to WVSU on policy issues and affairs. The board meets at least six times a year.
