Arizona Board of Regents

STATE OF ARIZONA EXECUTIVE OFFICE JANET NAPOLITANO GOVERNOR WWW.GOVERNOR.STATE.AZ.US		NEWS RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: JEANINE L'ECUYER (602) 542-1342

GOVERNOR NAPOLITANO APPOINTS UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA STUDENTS TO SERVE ON THE ARIZONA COMMISSION ON THE ARTS, ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS
Joseph Fu is youngest ever to serve on the Arts Commission;
Benjamin Graff nominated to fill student regent position

PHOENIX - Gov. Janet Napolitano has appointed two University of Arizona students to serve on statewide governing boards. Her appointee to the Arizona Commission on the Arts is the youngest ever to serve on that board.

Joseph Fu, a 19-year-old UA freshman double-majoring in philosophy and molecular cellular biology, was appointed to a three-year term on the Arts Commission. His appointment does not require Senate confirmation.

Fu was selected for his passion to spread his knowledge of music to low-income children in the East Valley. As a student at Mesa's Dobson High School, Fu created the Music Outreach Organization, comprised of high school students who gave musical performances at hospitals and childcare centers, and acquired grants to buy musical instruments for low-income students.

"Joseph Fu is not only a talented musician in his own right. He has a passion for taking musical arts to young people who have no access to it," Governor Napolitano said. "He is a remarkable young man who will bring his love of the arts to the commission, and to Arizona as a whole."

Benjamin Graff, who is completing his first year at the UA James E. Rogers College of Law, was nominated to fill one of two student positions on the board of regents. The 25-year-old law student served as president of the Associated Students of the UA when he was an undergraduate student there. After earning his bachelor's degree in psychology he took two years off of his studies to work as a law clerk and a case manager for state Child Protective Services.

"Ben Graff is a standout student who will balance his enthusiasm for student advocacy with his understanding of the complex and fast-changing Arizona university system," Napolitano said.

Graff's term begins July 1 and requires Senate confirmation. He replaces out-going student regent Danelle Kelling, a third-year law student at Arizona State University. He will serve along with Northern Arizona University MBA student Wes McCalley, whom Governor Napolitano appointed last year. Student regents are appointed to the board in rotation from the UA, ASU and NAU.

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