The state Senate has confirmed the student government presidents from California and Shippensburg Universities of Pennsylvania to serve on the Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE).

Ryan Gebely, a senior majoring in science and technology education with a minor in political science at California University, and Joseph M. Peltzer, a senior majoring in human resources management at Shippensburg University, were confirmed by the Senate after being nominated by Governor Edward G. Rendell. They join Joshua A. O’Brien of Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania as the student representatives on the 20-member Board.

The Board of Governors has overall responsibility for planning and coordinating the development and operation of PASSHE. It establishes broad fiscal, personnel and educational policies under which the PASSHE Universities operate. The three student members on the Board have full voting rights.

“Our student members bring an important perspective to the Board of Governors by representing the views of the more than 109,000 students across the State System,” said Board Chairman Kenneth M. Jarin. “They provide valuable input into all of our discussions and play an integral role in the decision-making process.”

Both Gebely and Peltzer are serving their second terms as presidents of their respective student government organizations.

Gebely also serves as president of the Student Association, Inc., which owns and operates the student bookstore and residence halls at Cal U. and provides a variety of student services. He is a founding member of the Big Event at California University, a student–run service project. The Big Event began at Texas A&M University in 1982 and has expanded to 71 universities across the country. By completing service projects such as yard work, window washing and painting, students build their relationship with the community and thank them for their support.

Gebely, the son of Herb and Christa Gebely of Leesport, is a graduate of Schuylkill Valley High School. He is an Eagle Scout of Hawk Mountain Council where he also is a summer camp counselor.

Peltzer has served as a senator and vice president of the Shippensburg University Student Association. Most recently, he completed a term as chairperson of the PASSHE Board of Student Government Presidents. Mr. Peltzer is the president of his University’s chapter of Phi Sigma Pi, a national honor fraternity.

Peltzer is the son of Debralee and Douglas Peltzer of New Hope. He is a graduate of New Hope-Solebury High School.

With more than 109,000 students, the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth. The 14 PASSHE universities offer degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. Approximately 405,000 PASSHE alumni live and work in Pennsylvania.

The state-owned universities are Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock, and West Chester Universities of Pennsylvania. PASSHE also operates branch campuses in Clearfield, Freeport, Oil City and Punxsutawney and several regional centers, including the Dixon University Center in Harrisburg.