New Reg. James Koch has long ties to UNM.
He said his grandfather was a visiting professor in 1914 and that he is a University alumnus, playing football for the Lobos on scholarship.
Originally from Santa Fe, Koch said he is pleased and grateful that he was appointed to the UNM Board of Regents.
"Our main duty is to look forward and be familiar with the UNM community," Koch said. "We need to listen to the concerns of University constituents. We need to be financially prudent and we have to have a good ear and listen to the different groups represented."
He said the reason he believes Gov. Bill Richardson chose him was that he was familiar with Koch's prior work. Koch recently resigned as chairman of the state Democratic Party. He has also been chairman of the New Mexico State Game and Fish Department, each time a democratic governor has been in office, Koch said.
He said the big project he would like to focus on as a regent is fundraising for health sciences.
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"The big thing I'd like to do is work with the legislature to fund cancer center work, reduce debt in the health sciences and see where we can expand in the areas of nursing and pharmacy," Koch said.
He said his interest in health sciences stems from a 1999 hunting accident. He was treated at UNM Hospital for an injury and said he was alarmed by how crowded it was.
"If I can do anything to help the Health Sciences Center I will consider myself a successful regent," Koch said.
He said that he would try to work closely with the governor and the Commission on Higher Education.
"I believe we need to work closely with the governor," Koch said. "I hope the regents work well with his educational agenda. The Commission on Higher Education does not have the authority it used to, but we need to work closely with them and represent our interests."
Koch served on the state legislature from 1968 through 1974. He said he has made numerous donations to UNM, including $10,000 to the general library in the name of his mother. He was also the national president of CNA Insurance Company in 1993.
Koch will serve as a regent through 2008.
"I was really pleased to be asked," he said. " I am a Lobo without any question."
