The Black Hawk College Board of Trustees voted unanimously Thursday night to have former Moline Mayor Lawrence Lorensen temporarily fill an empty board seat.

The vote came in open session after about 20 minutes of private discussions. Trustee Dorothy W. Beck was not present.

Mr. Lorensen will replace former BHC Board Vice Chair Sonia Berg who has resigned her seat citing the time demands of her profession. He will serve until April 2013.

BHC trustees said they selected Mr. Lorensen because of his long history with the college. Along with teaching at BHC for 35 years, he also has served with one of the school's foundations.

"He knows the college; he does not have to go through an orientation," said BHC Board Chair Evelyn Phillips.

A BHC government professor until he retired in 2001, Mr. Lorensen currently is chairman of the MetroLink board. He also was an alderman for Moline's 1st Ward from 1969 to 1977 and Moline mayor 1977 to 1981.

Many of his BHC students have pursued their own government careers, such as former U.S. Rep. Lane Evans; BHC Trustee Jerry Lack who served on Rep. Evans' staff; East Moline Mayor John Thodos; and former Moline Mayor Allen McCaulley.

Mr. Lorensen will be sworn in at the trustees' December meeting.BHC President Thomas Baynum said Mr. Lorensen has indicated he does not intend to run in the April elections when his appointment expires.

Ms. Berg is the third BHC trustee to resign this year. InApril, Mike Boland resigned and was succeeded by Mr. Lack. In May,John Ahern resigned and was succeeded by John McCooley.

Mr. Lack and Mr. McCooley also will serve until the April 2013 elections.