Emilio Ferrara, a 32-year Kent City Schools Board of Education member, has been appointed by Ohio Gov. Bob Taft to the Kent State Board of Trustees.

Before being selected, Ferrara was privately chosen as a finalist for the position. He was called about three weeks ago and informed of the news.

“I think I was most surprised when I found out I was being considered,” Ferrara said.

After he was told that he was being considered, Ferrara sent his r‚sum‚ to Taft’s office. Before the final decision was made, Ferrara agreed to accept the position. The official announcement was made on Taft’s Web site Thursday, June 22.

The trustees, who are volunteers, approve budgets, programs and strategic plans. They also hire and evaluate the university President, who works for them.

The group has five regular meetings each year, with the addition of any special meetings as needed, said Charlene Reed, secretary to the Board of Trustees and senior assistant to the President. Reed said board members are expected to stay informed about the university the entire year.

“They’re responsible for the oversight of the university,” she said. “They are acting on behalf of the public interest.”

Every year, one of the nine board members’ term ends. Ferrara will replace George Jenkins and will serve until May 16, 2015.

Ferrara received his bachelor’s degree from Kent State and then studied dentistry at Case Western Reserve.

He is currently an oral maxillo-facial surgeon in practice with his son, Eric, at Western Reserve Surgery Center in Kent, and has lived in Kent his entire life.

Contact general assignment reporter Dan Stroble at [email protected].