Bakersfield attorney Milton Younger was named to the 25-member California State University board of trustees, and United Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta was named to the University of California board of Regents, Gov. Gray Davis' office announced Tuesday.

The CSU board governs the statewide system of 23 university campuses, about 414,000 students and 44,000 faculty and staff, while the UC Regents oversees 20 campuses, with the 21st set to open in Merced in 2005, serving 197,000 students with 150,000 faculty and staff.

Younger, 72, has been active in Cal State Bakersfield affairs since its opening in 1970 and has helped raise funds for the Democratic party in Kern County.

"I have no doubt that political affinity plays a role," Younger said. "I think it would be fair to say that I have been a leader of the Democratic party in this area for many years."

But he said his appointment is based more on his record of involvement in higher education.

"I'm not simply a political appointment," Younger said. "I've been involved with education all of my adult life."

Huerta, 73, who also lives in Bakersfield, served as secretary-treasurer of the UFW until 2000, and now is first vice president emeritus. She co-founded the union in 1962 with Cesar Chavez.

In October 2000, she was hospitalized for weeks after suffering a tear in her aorta. Her recuperation took months, but the mother of 11 eventually made a complete recovery.

Bakersfield College President Sandra Serrano said Huerta's appointment to the 26-member UC Regents is proof of the impact she's had in the community at large.

"This indicates she's been a strong advocate for education and recognizes the importance and role of education ... I believe her (presence) will certainly be instrumental in opening doors to increase enrollments of students in general, certainly Latinos," Serrano said.

The last CSU trustee from the area was Martha (Fallgatter) Walda, formerly of Bakersfield. She retired from the board this year after 16 years, said CSUB spokesman Mike Stepanovich. She is a well-known Republican fund-raiser.

Younger has been a longtime member of the CSUB Foundation and was named an Outstanding Friend of the University.

"The governor really saw a shining commitment and a concrete commitment to education on behalf of Younger," said Loannis Kazanis, an assistant press secretary for Gov. Gray Davis.

"What the governor saw was not someone who was active politically. What the governor saw was someone fully and deeply committed to education."

CSUB President Tomás Arciniega said Younger's appointment will be invaluable.

"Milt Younger has been just a terrific supporter of the CSU system and always very energetic and enthusiastic about higher education and the need to improve opportunities for college-going students in this area," Arciniega said. "It's always a great asset for a university to have a trustee from its area."

Younger, born and raised in Bakersfield, earned his undergraduate and law degrees from Stanford University. He served in the Army Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG) in 1956 and 1957. Younger is a senior partner in Chain, Younger, Cohn & Stiles and has been with the firm for 46 years.

Huerta was an elementary school teacher in Stockton in the 1950s when she became involved in farm labor issues.

Gonzalo Santos, a sociology professor at Cal State Bakersfield, said Huerta's appointment marks a high point for local Latinos.

"It's great news. We're talking about a giant woman who lives among us, in Bakersfield, and we haven't recognized her," Santos said. "She's a great prophet of social justice and a tireless fighter for human rights. Her involvement in the Regents will allow her to bring her ideas about social justice to a higher level."

"(For Latinos) this is a moment of joy and celebration. I'm so happy ... one of our Latinas has reached the highest position in education," Santos said.

The appointments require approval by the state Senate.

In addition to Younger, the governor appointed medical doctor Stanley Toy, 54, of La Verne to the CSU board.