Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the reappointment of David Laird and James McCormick to the Midwestern Higher Education Commission. Both members are reappointed to four-year terms ending January 3, 2011.

Laird is President and Chief Executive Officer at the Minnesota Private College Council, Fund and Research Foundation and Partners for Education Opportunity. Laird holds a B.A. degree in government and history and M.Ed. in education and history from St. Lawrence University. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. He serves as the Governor’s designee on the Commission.

McCormick is the Chancellor of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU). McCormick is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He earned masters and doctoral degrees from the University of Pittsburgh. He serves as the member representing the field of higher education.

The Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC) is an interstate compact of eleven Midwest states devoted to advancing education through cooperation. MHEC is one of four compacts nationally that provide greater higher education opportunities and services in their regions. The Commission is made up of five members from each state, including three gubernatorial appointees, one State Senator, and one State Representative. The MHEC member states are: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio and Wisconsin.