Harding names vice president for alumni and parent relations

Liz Howell, assistant to the president for alumni and parent relations at Harding University, today was named to the newly created post of vice president for alumni and parent relations at the school.

The appointment becomes effective July 1. Her responsibilities will remain the same in directing the school’s programs involving parents and alumni. She will join ten other administrators serving on the president’s cabinet.

Howell joined the Harding staff in 1999 as director of alumni relations, and her responsibilities have included organizing all the activities of Homecoming, planning special campus events, organizing and conducting off-campus events, directing efforts to maintain the University’s 50,000-member alumni database, and leading numerous special projects including the new football scoreboard and the First Ladies Garden.

She also serves as the executive director of Women for Harding. In 2008 Howell received the University’s Distinguished Service Award.

In announcing the elevation of the position to the vice presidential level, President Bruce McLarty said, “I am happy that Liz Howell will be joining the cabinet as vice president for alumni and parent relations. She will continue directing the alumni office she has so ably led for 16 years, and she will bring a new emphasis on the voice of Harding alumni to cabinet discussions.

“Liz not only plans and executes countless events for alumni on campus, but she organizes presidential receptions for alumni all around the country. She has a deep love for this school, and her addition to the cabinet will make our leadership team stronger and more deeply connected to our alumni constituency.”

Prior to joining the Harding staff, Howell was employed by White County Medical Center (now Unity Health) first as public relations coordinator and later as director of marketing and community relations. Her final two years at the hospital were spent as assistant vice president of foundation development.
Howell received her baccalaureate degree from Harding in 1991 and a master’s degree in 1998.

Locally she is a member of the Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce, serving on the beautification and Holiday of Lights committees. She is a former board member of the White County United Way.

In May she completed a two-year term as president of the Arkansas Federation of Garden Clubs Inc. and currently serves on the board of National Garden Clubs Inc. on the leadership committee.

Liz Howell