Gov. Jay Nixon has again appointed a Columbia lawyer to the Board of Curators for the University of Missouri system.
Nixon on Thursday named Craig Van Matre to the higher education board for the second time this year. Van Matre was named to the board in January, but the Senate did not vote on confirming the selection and Nixon withdrew it in May.
The Senate's Republican leader said that Van Matre's confirmation was held up because of attempts to reach a deal over a different appointment.
Van Matre's latest appointment came when the Legislature is not in session, so hecan begin serving immediately.
Nixon says that will allow Van Matre to be involved in searching for a new university system president.