Gibbons names financial expert, ex-lawmaker to Board of Regents

A legislative expert and a financial expert became the newest university regents Wednesday.

Gov. Jim Gibbons appointed former state senator Ray Rawson and investment manager Kevin Page to the university system Board of Regents.

Their selections earned high praise from higher education insiders.

"These are two outstanding appointments," said Michael Wixom, chairman of the 13-member board, which governs higher education in Nevada.

System Chancellor Jim Rogers also praised the two men as supporters of higher education.

The two Clark County regent seats were vacated by Steve Sisolak, who won a seat on the Clark County Commission, and Thalia Dondero, who had to give up her seat because of term limits.

Rawson was in the state Senate from 1984 to 2004. He is a former member of the Gaming Commission and a 1964 University of Nevada, Las Vegas graduate. A practicing dentist in Las Vegas, he was the driving force behind the creation of UNLV's dental school.

Rawson said he applied for the regent's seat because he thinks he can help the board navigate through tough budgetary issues. The system is facing the prospect of massive budget cuts this year.

Rawson also has incited controversy, notably for his involvement with a failed attempt to set up a dental school in Hawaii and his expert testimony in an Arizona criminal case in which the wrong man was sent to prison.

Page is a 1986 UNLV graduate and longtime board member of the UNLV Alumni Association, including three years as its president. He was named the 2006 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year. He is the managing director at Wells Capital Management.

"I think I can add value with my finance and business background," Page said.

Both new regents said dealing with the upcoming budget crisis is their top priority.

Contact reporter Richard Lake at rlake@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0307.