Kotek appoints retired lawmaker Peter Buckley and student leader Christopher Geryak; four current members begin new terms
Ashland.news staff report
The Oregon Senate recently confirmed two new trustees and four continuing trustees to serve on the Southern Oregon University Board of Trustees.
New to the board but not to the Oregon Legislature, retired Oregon State Rep. Peter Buckley was among the newly confirmed trustees, along with SOU junior and former student body vice president Christopher Geryak.
Buckley will replace Shaun Franks, who left the board in June 2025, and Geryak will fill the role vacated by Ryan Goodrich in September 2025.
“The Board of Trustees is excited to welcome these dedicated individuals to SOU,” said Sheila Clough, the board’s chair, in a news release. “Peter’s extensive legislative and community leadership, both locally and in the state, paired with Christopher’s proven commitment to students and leadership at SOU, will provide valuable insight as we navigate the future of higher education in our region.”
“We appreciate Gov. Kotek’s appointment and the legislature’s confirmation of these leaders. Their service ensures that SOU remains deeply connected to the needs of our students and the southern Oregon community.”
Returning to serve their second four-year terms as trustees are Debra F. J. Lee, Christina (Medina) Kruger and Elizabeth “Liz” Shelby.
Their renewed four-year terms begin July 1 and run through June 30, 2030.
Hala Schepmann, a professor of Chemistry, has been reappointed and confirmed to a two-year term as a faculty trustee, whose term ends June 30, 2028. Trustees are limited to serving two consecutive full terms.
“SOU is vital to the success of our region,” Buckley said in a news release. “I look forward to helping in any way I can to support our students, staff, faculty and fellow board members as we work for a brighter future.”
Geryak echoed Buckley’s sentiment of service.
“I am pleased to join SOU’s Board of Trustees and provide my insight and knowledge to help SOU thrive and succeed,” Geryak said in the release.
The new trustees’ terms will begin Friday, Feb. 20.
Buckley was appointed to a partial term and then a full term that will end June 30, 2030, and Geryak’s term runs through June 30, 2027.
Trustees are gubernatorial appointees, subject to confirmation by the Oregon Senate. The board consists of as many as 11 at-large trustees serving four-year terms, with additional positions reserved for up to three SOU students — two undergraduates (one voting, one non-voting), a faculty member and a non-faculty staff member, each serving two-year terms. The university president serves in a non-voting, ex-officio capacity on the board, bringing total membership to 17.
New trustees
Peter Buckley
Buckley served in the Oregon House of Representatives from 2005 to 2017, representing south Jackson County. During his tenure, he served for eight years as House Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Ways & Means, the legislature’s budget-writing committee.
After leaving the legislature, Peter was hired to lead Southern Oregon Success, a collaboration of all levels of education, health care, human services, public safety and workforce development in Jackson and Josephine counties, dedicated to working across all sectors to help children, families and communities thrive.
Prior to his legislative service, Peter worked for 22 years as a director, actor, writer, producer, administrator and teacher for West Coast regional theaters, including six years as the director of the Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre.
Christopher Geryak
Geryak is a junior at Southern Oregon University, majoring in business administration with a concentration in management and a minor in education.
Following his service as SOU’s student body vice president, Christopher expanded his academic focus to include education, reinforcing his commitment to student advocacy and the importance of higher education across Oregon. During his time at SOU, he has held seven volunteer and employment positions and has been actively involved in numerous student organizations.
His experiences in student government, student life and campus services have provided him with a well-rounded understanding of the university and its impact on students.
Information from an SOU a news release. Email Ashland.news reporter Holly Dillemuth at hollyd@ashland.news.
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Gov. Kotek appoints three new trustees to SOU governance board (Oct. 3, 2025)
SOU to host official memorial service for William Thorndike, Jr. (March 29, 2025)
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