Mary Ellen Hartford, administrative specialist for the Honors Program in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, will retire in January after an impressive, dedicated and generous 21 years of service to the U of A. 

For more than two decades, Hartford has provided comprehensive support to the Fulbright College Honors Program, contributing to the success of thousands of students and numerous faculty and staff who have learned, researched and excelled in the program.

A retirement celebration for Hartford will take place from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13, in Old Main 523. The campus community is invited to attend to celebrate her retirement and years of service. 

"I am so happy to celebrate Mary Ellen's 21 years of service to the Fulbright College Honors Program, and while she will be greatly missed, her legacy will endure in the hearts and memories of all who have had the privilege to work alongside her," said Jill Geisler Wheeler, associate director of the Fulbright College Honors Program. "May your next chapter be filled with joy and fulfillment and lots of time with family and friends!"

A dedicated and skilled professional, Hartford has supported four different directors of the Fulbright College Honors Program, ensuring the program's legacy of excellence in supporting Fulbright College students. 

"Holding down the front desk of the Fulbright College Honors Program — one of the largest in the country — is a Herculean task," said Sidney Burris, former director of the Fulbright College Honors Program and professor of English. "Over the past two decades, Mary Ellen has defied the English language's ability to describe her and her many talents. To paraphrase Winston Churchill, she never flagged nor failed in her duties, and it was a pleasure to work with her during my time as director of the program. I wish her the best in her much-deserved retirement."

Kirstin Erickson, associate director of anthropology, echoed that Hartford's professionalism and personal presence made the Fulbright College Honors Program home for so many.

"From my very first day as program director in 2017 and for the next four years, Mary Ellen Hartford made the Fulbright College Honors Program feel like home," Erickson said. "She is incredibly adept at putting people at ease. She is generous with her time, utterly caring and inspires confidence. Mary Ellen puts students first, making the effort to get to know them and their research; she is thrilled for their successes and caring when they simply need a sympathetic ear. And her sense of humor is priceless."

"Off campus, I have the joy of singing in a choir with Mary Ellen and can attest to her abundant talent and the beautiful music she makes," Erickson added. "I'm grateful that I'll still get to sing with her for many years to come. It was a real privilege to work with Mary Ellen Hartford. She is a treasure. I wish her all the best as she takes on new adventures in her retirement!"

Hartford has a B.A. in music from Missouri State University. She is married to Hershel Hartford, office manager and assistant to the chair in the Department of Communication. 

Mary Ellen and Hershel have six children — Emily Heard, Rhiannon Strick, Jasmine Cloud, Malyssa Semcken, James Fry and Gracie Hartford — and 10 grandchildren.

The entire Fulbright College family sends our immeasurable gratitude to Hartford for her service to our college and the entire U of A. Best wishes in your retirement, Mary Ellen, and know that you will always remain a part of the Fulbright College family.