photo by: Chad Lawhorn/Journal-World photo

KU Endowment's offices on West Campus in Lawrence are pictured April 16, 2021.

A Salina attorney who is both a University of Kansas graduate and a trustee for the KU Endowment Association is set to become one of two new members on the Kansas Board of Regents.

Gov. Laura Kelly on Friday announced the appointment of Peter Johnston to the regents, which is the state board that oversees Kansas’ public higher education system of universities, community colleges and technical schools.

Johnston is an attorney who specializes in advising hospital boards and practicing other forms of healthcare-related law. In addition to receiving both his undergraduate and law degrees from KU, Johnston also became a member of the KU Endowment Board of Trustees last year.

Kelly also announced the appointment of Manhattan resident Matt Crocker to the Board of Regents. Crocker is the chief executive officer of Manhattan-based SPS Companies, a firm that is in the steel and pipe business, among other venture.

While appointed by the governor, Regents do need legislative approval, but generally have been allowed to begin serving their terms immediately and then receive approval once the legislature is in session.