Associated Press

Gov. John Hoeven has chosen former Grand Forks Republican state senator Duaine Espegard for a seat on North Dakota's Board of Higher Education.

Espegard was one of three finalists named by a screening panel earlier this month. The others were Mandan Police Chief Dennis Rohr and Portland farmer Richard Fugleberg.

"As a businessman and a legislator, Duaine has always recognized the important relationship between higher education and economic development," Hoeven said in a statement Friday. "His strong support for Centers of Excellence and his extensive background in finance reflect a real appreciation for the role our campuses play in creating jobs and building our state's future."

Espegard's nomination will be reviewed by the North Dakota Senate. If the retired bank administrator is confirmed he will serve out the four-year term of Charles Murphy, who resigned in January after less than seven months on the board. Espegard's term would last until June 2010.

Murphy, a former chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, said he did not have the time needed to devote to the Higher Ed board.

The board, which has eight voting members, oversees the 11 colleges in North Dakota's university system.

Espegard was elected to the state Senate in 2000 and served until 2006. He was defeated for re-election last year by Democrat JoNell Bakke. He currently serves on the North Dakota Department of Commerce Community Foundation, the Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corp. and the Norsk Hostfest Board.

Espegard has a degree from Aakers Business College. He also attended the University of North Dakota and the University of Wisconsin's Graduate School of Banking.