Government Senator Walton Brown was yesterday named the new chairman of Bermuda College.

The announcement was made at a press conference at which it was also revealed that the introduction of free education at the college this year appears to have helped attract more students.

College president Duranda Greene said that as of Monday the college had enrolled more than 1,300 full and part-time students to start the new term, which she said was about a 35 percent improvement on the same time last year.

Dr. Greene said the increase was likely to be partly due to the introduction of free tuition for Bermudians, as well as a college-led recruitment drive.

Education Minister Randy Horton announced Sen. Brown's appointment, which comes six weeks after previous chairman Larry Mussenden stepped down due to work commitments.

Mr. Horton, himself a former chairman of the college, said Sen. Brown was both a personal friend of his and a man who "represents a wave of Bermudians who are committed to public service and have the best interests of Bermuda and Bermudians at heart".

Sen. Brown, Junior Minister of Education, Energy, Telecommunications, eCommerce and Environment, said that as a former student and lecturer at the college he was humbled by the appointment.

The PLP politician said he looked forward to working with Dr. Greene on making the college a more vibrant environment and that the two were due to meet immediately to plan the way forward.

Asked how long he was likely to stay in the post, after a series of short-lived chairmen, he said: "I'm fully committed to this position. I have great hopes for the college.

"There are some ideas that will be unveiled as time goes on. It's my intention to stay around...to carry out the implementation of those ideas."

When Mr. Mussenden was appointed college chairman at the end of November 2006 he was the fourth chairman that year. Former PLP Senator Raymond Tannock began 2006 as chairman but was replaced by Nalton Brangman, who was removed nine months later while in the middle of an investigation into college spending.

Mr. Brangman's successor was former Premier Dame Jennifer Smith but she stood down after less than three weeks.