Higher education plays a huge role in the future of Kansas, and the Kansas Board of Regents can and should play a big role in supporting and promoting the state universities, community colleges and vocational-technical schools that constitute the state’s higher education system.

For that reason, appointments to the Board of Regents are among the governor’s most important choices, and the way he or she uses those appointments is a significant indicator of a governor’s goals and vision for higher education.

Gov. Brownback announced the appointment of three new regents on Tuesday. They will replace three regents that Brownback appointed in 2011: Fred Logan, Robba Moran and Kenny Wilk. All three were eligible for reappointment, so either they declined that opportunity or the governor decided he wanted to go in another direction.

Two of the three regents appointed by Gov. Brownback on Tuesday are company CEOs, which may indicate he wants to take a more business-oriented approach to higher education in the state. The third is a periodontist who practices in Leawood.

The two CEOs are David Murfin, of Wichita, and Dennis Mullin, of Manhattan. Murfin’s businesses include a drilling company and a tractor and equipment company. He is a Kansas University graduate who serves on the KU School of Business Board of Advisors. In addition to his business interests, he also serves on the boards of the Kansas Chamber and the Kansas Bioscience Authority. Mullin attended Pittsburg State University and is CEO of Steel and Pipe Supply. According to a press release, he’s also active in the Flint Hills Christian School and serves on the advisory board for Kansas State University’s business school.

Dr. Daniel Thomas was appointed by Brownback to serve on the KU Hospital Authority Board and is a board member for the Kansas Arts Foundation, the entity that Brownback created to more or less replace the Kansas Arts Commission. He also was one of the co-chairs for Brownback’s 2010 inaugural committee.

State statutes set some geographical and political requirements for regents appointments, but no specific qualifications for the job. It doesn’t appear that any of the new appointees has professional expertise in higher education, but all three men are accomplished in their fields and have connections to state universities.

Perhaps their career success and their interest in higher education will make them strong leaders and advocates for the state’s university system. Their new position gives them the power to have a big impact on those universities. Hopefully, they will use that power to enhance state universities and help elected officials and other Kansas residents appreciate the importance of maintaining a strong system of higher education in the state.