SCOTT CITY -- Southeast Missouri State University student Jennifer Bertrand has been appointed to the school's Board of Regents.

Bertrand, 20, will serve a two-year term as a non-voting member of the board. She replaces Scott Giles, a student from Jefferson City, whose term officially expired in January.

The appointment was made by Gov. Mel Carnahan.

Bertrand, who was notified by the governor's office earlier this week, said she was excited about the appointment.

"I just want to try to get the students' voices here throughout the board," Bertrand said Thursday.

"I think it is very important that I be fair and be a liaison between the board and the students, and that I listen to all sides," she said.

Bertrand, who will be a junior in the fall, said she doesn't plan to create discord on the board. But she said, "If there is something that I see is wrong, I will speak up."

Bertrand, who is majoring in finance, is expected to graduate in May 1996.

She was valedictorian of her 1992 graduating class at Scott City High School. She is the daughter of Larry and Connie Bertrand.

State Sen. Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, sponsored Bertrand's appointment. "The governor's office appointments people contacted me about supporting her, and I said I would."

Bertrand was one of three students considered for the post.