NEW ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR NAMED TO ARKANAS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Jackie R. McMorris of Atlanta, Ga., has been named associate direcor for the Arkansas Alumni Association.

McMorris comes to the U of A from DeKalb College in Atlanta, Ga., from which she brings experience as the director of alumni affairs and events and as chief executive officer of an alumni board, membership development and cultivation, campaigns, capital fund-raising, public relations, coordination and implementation of special events and overall general operations of an alumni association.

McMorris also brings a unique perspective to the association, having served for several years as assistant professor of speech. She has worked closely with students, faculty, staff and alumni and values the goal of bringing these groups full circle to experience the truest meaning of being alumni of the University of Arkansas.

"Jackie provides experience of alumni programming leadership to the association," said Mike Macechko, executive director of the Arkansas Alumni Association.

"More important, she brings a multitude of communications skills to the staff. Her background is teaching, and she will be a teacher to our younger staff in providing great communications with our alumni. We are very lucky to have her on board."

At the University of Arkansas, McMorris will be involved with all facets of the Alumni Office, including strategic planning, membership development, special events, facilities management of the new alumni house and general operations.

"I look forward to sharing my experience as a special events coordinator as well as my experience with campaigning and fund-raising that I was doing in Atlanta," McMorris said.

McMorris shares ideals with both the Alumni Association and the University as a whole.

"I share the vision for the Alumni Association to create a sense of cohesiveness and union for any and all entities on campus. We are here to serve them. I will do all I can to promote that the association is a central place that can be utilized by everyone," McMorris said.

"I’m glad I'm here and under an administration that is working to enhance the diversity of its faculty, students and staff."

McMorris has a master’s in speech communication from Auburn University and a bachelor’s in mass communication from Rust College in Holly Springs, Miss.

Joining Jackie in Northwest Arkansas are her husband, Wilbert McMorris, who works for Wal-mart Corporate Headquarters in Bentonville, Ark., and their 11-year-old son Cody.