Steve Smith, director of Public Relations, said she resigned July 9, 2009 for personal reasons. That information was first reported last week when three new Trustees were appointed, one replacing Garrett.

Smith said Garrett’s name was removed from the Board of Trustees Web site in July for the public to notice.

Granholm was not aware of Garrett’s resignation until July 29, 2009, said Tiffany Brown, a Granholm spokeswoman.

Brown said when a member’s term is up or when one resigns, neither Granholm nor her administration publicize the news.

“People find out about vacancies (through) word of mouth, terms that expire, (and) resignations,” she said.

Conversation in a Central Michigan Life live chat during a February Board of Trustees meeting touched on Garrett’s absence.

Royal Oak senior David Veselenak, CM Life’s online editor, noted the vacancy of her chair during the Feb. 18 meeting.

“It looks like there are a few trustees missing. Torreano, Garret(t) are the noticeable ones,” Veselenak typed during a live chat on cm-life.com.

Renee Walker, associate vice president of University Communications, commented on the chat under the name “CMU UComm.”

She discussed her comment with Veselenak after the meeting.

About 15 minutes after the initial comment about missing trustees, Walker mentioned how many were there.

“Good morning. Thanks for the live chat. It’s a great opportunity to share important information. There are six trustees attending the meeting with one of them via conference phone,” Walker typed.

She also noted the fact Vice Chairwoman Marilyn French Hubbard was taking part via teleconference.

“Yes. Vice Chair Marilyn French Hubbard is participating via the conference phone,” Walker said.

Brown said the governor’s office receives applications for the board constantly, so the application process is not affected if news of a vacated position stays silent.

The application is accessible on michigan.gov and those who apply are required to provide letters of recommendation.

The process also includes, but is not limited to, background checks and an interview with Granholm’s administration, Brown said.

Meet the new Trustees Three were appointed to the Board of Trustees last week to replace Garrett and also outgoing Trustees Gail Torreano and Stephanie Comai.

“Gov. Granholm believes that all three appointees are leaders in their community who are committed to higher education and CMU,” Brown said.

Ronald C. Edmonds, vice president and controller of The Dow Chemical Co., will succeed Torreano and has a strong business tie in the community, Brown said.

Kevin F. Kelley, director of senior and veterans services for Wayne County, will succeed Comai and is a CMU alumnus.

Both will begin in January and have terms that last through December 2018.

Robert F. Wardrop II, president and attorney with Wardrop & Wardrop P.C. in Grand Rapids, will take Garrett’s place, effective immediately.

Wardrop graduated from CMU in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science degree in math and economics. He also taught economics at CMU for about two years.

“I’m very excited,” Wardrop said. “(I’m) really looking forward to doing what is best for Central.”

He also sat on the alumni board for 12 years and was president of the Alumni Association for two years.

He thinks he will bring a unique outlook to the Board with his involvement in university affairs since 1955.

When Wardrop was a student at CMU, he worked in what is now the Down Under Food Court in the Bovee University Center.

When the Board had its meetings, Wardrop managed their lunches.

“I used to serve lunch to the Board,” he said. “Now I am one.”

Wardrop said he applied for the Board two years ago, when there were open positions.

He said he was not aware Garrett had resigned until news came he would assume her position.

Wardrop’s father, Robert F. Wardrop, is in the CMU Athletics Hall of Fame. Wardrop’s brother, Mac, also graduated from CMU.

“I’m just looking forward to helping with the university and working with the other Trustees and the CMU Administration,” he said. “I’m also looking forward to helping other students and listening to their concerns.”