A selection committee of five University of California regents nominated UC Davis law school student Adam R. Rosenthal on May 20 to become the 2005-06 student regent.

The full board of regents will consider the committee’s recommendation at its Sept. 22-23 meeting. If approved, Rosenthal will become the 31st student regent since the position was established in 1975. Rosenthal would immediately serve as regent-designate upon his selection, meaning he would participate in all deliberations, but would not be able to vote until July 2005 when his one-year term officially begins.

Rosenthal, who recently completed his first year at UC Davis’ King Hall School of Law, said he would enjoy fulfilling his duties.

“I look forward to working with fellow students, the regents, UC faculty and staff, and elected officials to increase awareness and funding for essential outreach and accessibility initiatives,” he said in a statement. “I also hope to work with the university on two essential accountability measures from the recent compact: namely, increasing the number of UC-trained K-12 teachers, and expanding opportunities for public service throughout all areas of university life.”

Rosenthal graduated from UCLA in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in history and a minor in Hebrew/Jewish studies. As an undergraduate, he was involved with student government and was president of UCLA Hillel and co-founder of UCLA’s first Arab-Jewish dialogue group. Following his graduation, Rosenthal joined the national organization Teach for America. He also taught history and English at Havenscourt Middle School in Oakland. In the summer of 2002, he founded and co-directed Camp Empower, a summer camp for underprivileged middle-school students in Oakland.

This year, 66 students applied for the position. Under the UC policy for appointment of a student regent, applicants must be in good academic standing at the time of their application and have demonstrated interest in the welfare of their fellow students and in the University. The regents’ selection committee interviewed three finalists, whose names were submitted by the UC Students Association after its review of the top candidates from each of the nine UC campuses.

The nominating committee included current UC regents Ward Connerly, Velma Montoya, Matthew Murray, Norman Pattiz and Laurence Seigler.