Senate to consider 3 new JSU trustees [The Anniston Star, Ala.]

April 26--An Alabama Senate committee gave its approval Wednesday for three new members to serve on Jacksonville State University'sBoard of Trustees.

Gov. Robert Bentley nominated Clarence W. Daugette III, Gale Main and Vivian Davis Figures last week to serve on the board. After the Senate Confirmation Committee's unanimous approval, the nominees could be confirmed by the Senate as soon as today.

If approved, Daugette, Main and Figures will replace outgoing board members Jim Folsom Jr., Jamie "Red" Etheredge and G.M. "Mack" Roberts, whose terms expired this year. Bentley nominated Folsom and Etheredge for another term on the board, but the governor's recommendation was denied by the Confirmation Committee earlier this month.

"I believe it's time to have some diversity. They just happen to be the appointments that are up and available," Sen. Del Marsh, R-Anniston, said.

Daugette has strong ties to the university and lives in Gadsden, where he is president of Life Insurance Company of Alabama. He is the grandson of former JSU President Clarence W. Daugette and the son of longtime trustee member Clarence W. Daugette Jr.

Main is a former public schools teacher and a Montgomery resident. She is married to former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Jim Main.

Figures is a Democratic senator from Mobile.

Currently no women and one minority member serve on JSU's 12-member Board of Trustees, 10 of whom are appointed to 12-year terms. The state superintendent of education and the governor both serve on the board, but do not regularly attend meetings.

The other 10 members are nominated by the governor. If approved by the Senate Confirmation Committee, the nominees go before the full Senate for a vote. Upon approval the nominees are appointed to the board.

Marsh serves on the Senate Confirmation Committee and presides over the governing body as the Senate President Pro Tem.

Marsh said he'd like to see Jacksonville State focus on moving in a new direction.

"I really would like concentration on the academic side. I think in the past there has been a lot of emphasis on the athletic side," Marsh said.

Two of the outgoing members, Folsom and Etheredge serve on the board's athletic committee. During their tenure, the university took on a large-scale football stadium expansion project and explored expanding the football program.

The governor's second round of nominees were selected at Marsh's recommendation, said Bentley spokesman Jeremy King.

"JSU is within Sen. Marsh's district, and we value his input," King said. "We are very confident in their ability to carry out their roles."

Star Staff Writer Laura Johnson: 256-235-3544. On Twitter @Ljohnson_star.

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