Harrison Family Selected as the 2017 Family of the Year

Courtesy of the Harrison Family

The Harrison Family at Beth Anne's graduation in May 2017.

The 2017 Family of the Year is the Harrison Family of Fayetteville, nominated by Mary Kate Harrison, a current graduate student in the higher education master's program. The family will be honored during the game of the Arkansas v. New Mexico State game during Family Weekend on Saturday, Sept. 30.

The family will be presented with a framed print of Old Main on the field, tickets to the game, as well as the Hog Wild Package that includes entrance into various Family Weekend events. In addition, the ASG executive officers will host the family for a meal at a local Fayetteville restaurant.

"The Associated Student Government is thrilled to present the Harrison Family as the 2017 Razorback Family of the Year," said Natalie Counce, ASG vice president. "The Harrison/Keisner family has a long tradition of attending and serving the University of Arkansas. It is exciting to get to know a family that has such a dedication to the U of A. The Harrison/Keisner family is very deserving of this honor."

Mary Kate Harrison finished her undergraduate degree at the U of A in May of 2015. She went on to receive a master's degree in communication from the University of Arkansas in May 2017 and started her second master's program at the U of A in August. Members of the Harrison/Keisner Family have earned 24 degrees between 1964 and 2017 with three more in progress.

Mary Kate Harrison was involved in Greek Life as a Kappa Kappa Gamma where she held executive positions and served their philanthropy, Reading is Fundamental. Mary Kate's father and sister, David and Beth Anne, participated in the Associated Student Government, and many extended family members were highly involved on the Razorback Cheer Squad and with The Arkansas Traveler, the U of A's student newspaper publication for over 100 years. Mary Kate's grandfather, Monroe Harrison, worked for the Athletic Department alongside Frank Broyles and has been an advocate for this institution for many years. David Harrison also served as the Arkansas Alumni Association Treasurer for 10 years. Graduates from the family have joined the Arkansas Alumni Association to continue to support their beloved University and its students.

"I get chills every time a large group calls the Hogs because it means so much more to me than a school cheer," Mary Kate said, "it reminds me of my family — my hog-wild, Arkansas-obsessed, U of A legacy family."

The Associated Student Government and Parent & Family Programs sponsor the annual Razorback Family of the Year. The Family of the Year represents the university as the model Razorback family. The model Razorback family exemplifies the Arkansas spirit and provides exceptional support for their students to succeed at the university. The difficult selection of the Honorary Family was tasked to a committee consisting of student leaders and alumni. 

Any questions should be referred to Counce at asgvp@uark.edu.

The Associated Student Government at the University of Arkansas is a student-led organization that acts as an organized voice for all students and strives to effectively represent student interest. More information can be found at asg.uark.edu.  For accommodations due to disability, please contact the Office of Student Activities, osa@uark.edu or call 479-575-5255.