The Illinois Senate Thursday confirmed Gov. James Thompson’s two reappointments and one new appointment to the Board of Regents.

Newly appointed is 60-year-old Dave Murphy, past president of the Illinois Community College Trustees Association and present chairman of the board of McHenry County College in Crystal Lake.

“His familiarity with the community college sector will significantly strengthen our system,” Groves said. “At present, nearly one out of every three students who transfer from community colleges attend the Regency universities.” The Regents govern NIU, Illinois State University in Normal and Sangamon State University in Springfield.

Currently, Regent Clara Fitzpatrick, who has “good connections with the Chicago City Colleges,” is the only board member with similar ties, Groves said. Barry Hickman, spokesman for Thompson, said Murphy’s community college links were “probably one of the heaviest factors” in the governor’s decision.

Board Chairwoman Carol Burns and Vice Chairman D. Brewster Parker will serve terms through Jan. 16, 1995.

“They have given unstintingly of their time and effort and have helped the system become the second largest in the state,” Regents Chancellor Roderick Groves said of Burns and Parker.

Former Regent Harry Wellbank was not reappointed. Wellbank said while he would be happy to serve another term, he had not applied for reappointment, saying 12 years and 10 months of service was “plenty of time.”

Hickman said the appointment process, which begins when present terms are complete, is an informal one, with recommendations coming to the governor from phone calls and other contacts.

The governor then notifies appointees, who go through a paperwork process upon acceptance. Appointees may or may not testify in person before the senate confirmation committee. The committee’s rejection of an appointee is uncommon, Hickman said.