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Public Relations Executive Director Markham Howe announces retirement

Aug 17, 2010

Markham Howe, Executive Director of Public Relations for Arkansas
State University and long-time advertising and marketing strategist, has
announced his retirement from the university, effective Aug. 31, 2010.
      Howe, who has served at ASU since 1982 as a guest lecturer and
professional advisor to the Public Relations Student Society of America
(1982-current), instructor in Journalism (1994-97), Director of
University Relations (2002-08) and in the Executive Director position,
(2009-current), has been responsible for marketing, public relations,
advertising, media relations, internal/external communications and
strategic communications planning for the ASU-Jonesboro campus.
      "I am very proud to have served the institution that I graduated
from and love," said Howe. "It has been an invigorating experience to be
a part of the growth of Arkansas State University, and I'm proud to be
able to close my career on a high point associated with that growth.
      "It has been a privilege to work with the students at Arkansas
State University and help to mold them into future professionals."
      Howe graduated from Arkansas State in 1961 with a degree in
agriculture and began his professional career in public relations with
Entergy-Arkansas (formerly Arkansas Power and Light Company) handling
various marketing, human resources and power production positions. After
spending 10 years in that capacity, he assumed the title of Little Rock
District Sales Manager in 1971. He culminated a 33-year stay with AP&L
as Assistant to the Vice-President of Public Affairs (1974) and Manager
of Public Relations (1975-94).
      As part of the AP&L team, he authored the crisis communications
plan for Arkansas Nuclear One, a plan that became a model for other
nuclear power plants built during that time. Later, he wrote and
implemented the public relations plan that resulted in a successful
siting of the Independence Steam Electric Station, a major coal burning
power plant located at Newark, Ark. He later worked with Mangan Holcomb
and Partners as a senior public relations counsel (1996-2002), providing
public relations, communications and marketing counsel to a broad range
of clients before returning to ASU.
      "Markham has served his alma mater with distinction," said
Cristian Murdock, Vice Chancellor for Advancement. "We are sad to see
him retire, but he is leaving his department after making numerous
improvements toward ASU's advancement. I wish Markham and Gayle the best
during retirement; he will be missed on our campus."
      Howe's service to ASU includes the Board of Directors of the ASU
Alumni Association (2000-02) and President-Elect and Co-Founder, Friends
of the College of Communications (1998-2002). He is a member of the
Advisory Council to the College of Communications Department of
Journalism and Printing (1998-current), and the second recipient of the
Friend of the College of Communications award (2010). He also
implemented a major re-branding program at the university that resulted
in increased enrollment and recognition.
      An active member of the Public Relations Society of America
(PRSA), he was awarded the Crystal Award in 2008 for lifetime
achievement to the public relations profession. He has also been a
member of the Arkansas Chapter of PRSA since 1977 and received
accreditation by that organization in 1984. Twice, Howe has served on
the Arkansas Chapter Board of Directors and is a past membership and
professional development chairman. He also is the recipient of more than
20 Prism awards from PRSA-Arkansas Chapter.
      "ASU-Jonesboro has been fortunate to receive the benefit of
Markham's wisdom and experience, both as a faculty member and as an
administrator," said Dr. Dan Howard, interim Chancellor. "The impact of
his contributions will be felt long into the university's future. We
appreciate deeply his extraordinary service to ASU and wish him health
and happiness in the future."
      Along with his vast experience in public relations, Howe is
active in volunteerism and community service work and has served on the
boards of several non-profit organizations, including Youth Home of
Arkansas, March of Dimes-Arkansas chapter, Junior Achievement of
Arkansas, Retired and Senior Volunteers Program, Arkansas State
University Alumni Association, Military Officers Association of America
(MOAA), United Way, Special Olympics and many others.
      Howe served as the 1991-92 president of Civitan International, a
civic club organization with approximately 45,000 members in 30
countries. He has been a member of the Little Rock Civitan Club since
1971 and served as its president in 1974-75. He was the governor of the
Ozark district in 1984-85 and then served on the Civitan International
Board of Directors from 1985 to 1987, representing districts in
Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas.
      Following his tenure as international president, he has served as
chairman of the strategic planning committee, chairman of the grants and
scholarships committee, and is currently serving as a leadership trainer
for club presidents and presidents-elect throughout the United States.
      He retired from the United States Army as a colonel after serving
38 years in the Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserves.
      Howe will be honored at a special reception, Thursday, Aug. 26,
at 3 p.m. in Cooper Alumni Center, 2600 Alumni Boulevard, on campus.
Vice Chancellor for Advancement Cristian Murdock announced that Christy
Valentine, Executive Director of Development, will move to Howe's
position which is being restructured.

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