The CMU Board of Trustees has experienced several updates this semester as Gov. John Hickenlooper appointed two new members and reappointed two current trustees to second terms.

Robert Glen Wilson and Daniel R. Robinson were reappointed to terms that expire Dec. 31, 2017. Tilman “Tillie” Bishop, of Grand Junction, has replaced Margo M. Pinto of Englewood. His term expires on Dec. 31, 2016.

“Tim [Foster] has done such an outstanding job with this campus and the faculty,” Bishop said. “I don’t come with any preconceived ideas of what I think ought or ought not to be. The first thing is to get a better grasp of what’s been going on and then try to blend in with the vision that the board members and the administration have and make my contributions.”

Ray Martinez, former mayor of Fort Collins, has replaced Cecil Hernandez of Aspen. His term expires on Dec. 31, 2017.

“I’m very impressed, and I’m really excited about the opportunity,” Martinez said. “There’s a lot of sharp hills to climb to the learning process, but it seems to me to be relatively capable of learning in a quick fashion. I just hope I can add to and support what is going on and be part of the team.”

Bishop expressed his dedication to higher education and opened up about remaining on the University of Colorado Board of Regents during a battle with B cell lymphoma.

“It was a great experience, and this will be a great experience,” he said. “I’ve always been student-oriented. Without students, there is no need for faculty. If we ever lose sight of tha, then we’ve missed our opportunity of really helping students help themselves to get a good education.”

Both Bishop and Martinez agreed that CMU is a place that has grown tremendously as an institution over the past several years, from gaining university status to the growing number and diversity of students enrolled.

“I took a tour of the campus and was very impressed by how methodical they are planning to grow and the outreach they’re doing with the community as well,” Martinez said. “I think there’s great opportunity to get a good education without breaking the bank. I think young adults are looking for windows of opportunity, and I think we should be in the business of providing opportunity with education that financially works for young adults.”

Although Bishop and Martinez have just recently begun their first terms as members on the Board of Trustees, both are anxious to be a part of what is in store for the future of CMU.

“I think that the representatives on our board do a tremendous job, as well as the faculty members,” Bishop concluded. “I’m very anxious to get started and, I just feel honored.”

Along with looking forward to the future, Martinez expressed that “if [CMU] is not the fastest, it certainly is one of the fastest growing colleges in Colorado. There’s a lot of buzz about it and a lot of good things to be said about it.”

arildefonso@mavs.coloradomesa.edu