Penfield Tate, shareholder in the Denver office of the international law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP, has been appointed to the Board of Governors of the Colorado State University System (CSU) by Gov. John Hickenlooper. Following confirmation of his appointment by the state Senate, Tate will serve a four-year term until December 31, 2014.

A graduate of CSU, Tate is an active alumnus and guest lecturer and has served on the advisory committee that recommended Joe Blake as the chancellor of the university system two years ago. While serving in the Colorado State Senate on the Joint Budget Committee (JBC), Tate addressed state budget and funding issues for kindergarten through 12th-grade and higher education where he was an advocate for the state's university system.

"Penfield's legislative and JBC experience is a significant asset to the board," said Joe Blake, chancellor, Colorado State University System. "The CSU System campuses, like our state, continue to face unique challenges in meeting the higher educational needs of our students. His understanding of the higher education budgeting process will be valuable as we seek greater operational efficiencies and create a more financially sustainable future for CSU. Penfield's passion for education will help reinforce public higher education's ongoing contributions to
this state."

"Penfield is uniquely qualified to understand and address the state's current budget challenges, especially as they relate to higher education," said Dave Palmer, managing shareholder of Greenberg Traurig's Denver office. "He will be a great resource in looking for innovative solutions and tapping entrepreneurial opportunities to keep college education affordable."

According to the governor's announcement, The Board of Governors of the Colorado State University System oversees CSU, CSU-Pueblo and the CSU-Global Campus. The board selects the presidents of these institutions, determines salaries and tuition, confers degrees and carries out other legal functions.