Florida Board of Governors

BLOG: FGCU trustee named to Board of Governors

Source: Naples Daily News, 01/10/13
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By Brittany Shammas

Florida Gulf Coast University Trustee Ed Morton has been appointed to the Board of Governors, the state-level body that oversees Florida's public universities.
That means Morton will have to give up his role as a trustee. While FGCU President Wilson Bradshaw said he'll be sorry to see him go, Morton's new role will allow him to continue advocating for the university.

"It is good for all of Southwest Florida to have a governor from this region," Bradshaw said.

Morton is among three Naples residents Gov. Rick Scott announced Thursday as new appointments to the Board of Governors. The others are Ned Lautenbach, a retired partner from Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, and Alan Levine, senior vice president and Florida president of Hospital Management Services of Florida Inc.

Wendy Link of Palm Beach Gardens and Harry "Wayne" Huizenga Jr. of Delray Beach round out the rest of Scott's appointments to the Board of Governors announced Thursday.
All of their terms are effective immediately and continue until 2019 or 2020.
Morton has long been involved with FGCU and has pushed for equitable funding for the school. Last year, he voted twice against tuition hikes of 14 and 15 percent at FGCU, pointing out that funding cuts from the state are coming as the university is in its growth stage.

Bradshaw said Morton will be able to articulate FGCU's funding needs to the other members of the Board of Governors. He pointed to Fort Myers attorney Charlie Edwards, a former member of the Board of Governors, as someone who served as a voice for Southwest Florida in the past. But he left the post after being appointed as a University of Florida trustee.

Bradshaw said he applauds the governor's decision to appoint Morton to the Board of Governors.

"I look forward to continuing to work with Ed, just in a different capacity as a member of the Board of Governors," Bradshaw said. "I have no doubt that he will continue to advocate not just for FGCU but for the entire university system."

Scott will appoint a new trustee to replace Morton, FGCU spokeswoman Susan Evans said. The university has another seat open besides Morton's -- the one formerly held by Larry Hart, who left to become the Lee County Tax Collector.