Markham Howe of Little Rock will become director of university relations at Arkansas State University effective June 3, announced Steve Owens, vice president for university advancement.

Howe, who currently is senior public relations counsel at the Little Rock firm of Mangan Holcomb Rainwater Culpepper, is an ASU alumnus who has maintained close ties to his alma mater throughout his career.

"I am very excited about the opportunity to join the Advancement Office team at Arkansas State University," Howe said. "I have a real passion for ASU, having been associated with the institution in one way or another for at least the past 15 years. I see great things ahead for Arkansas State University."

In the new position of director of university relations, Howe will oversee the university’s initiatives in strategic marketing and ongoing public relations programs to enhance recruitment, fund raising and institutional promotion.

According to Owens, Howe’s experience and his knowledge of the Central Arkansas region will be very beneficial to ASU.

"We are pleased to identify someone with Markham’s marketing and public relations abilities and background to serve in this key position," Owens said. "I look forward to working with him on the Advancement staff."

Before joining his current employer in 1996, Howe served three years as an instructor of public relations in the Department of Journalism and Printing at ASU. The opportunity to teach came after he retired from Entergy-Arkansas, where he had completed a 33-year career. His last position with the company was manager of public relations.

His professional activities include membership in the Public Relations Society of America, through which he earned accreditation in 1984 and has won 20 Prism awards for his work. He also has served on the board of the Arkansas chapter.

Howe is a 1961 graduate of ASU, where he has maintained his involvement as a member of the board of directors of the Alumni Association and as a member of the advisory council to the College of Communications. He was a founder and is now president of the Friends of the College of Communications, an alumni support group.

His civic leadership includes serving as international president and board chairman of Civitan International, roles which capped his earlier involvement as Little Rock chapter president and district governor.

He has served on the board for Youth Home of Arkansas Inc. and Junior Achievement of Arkansas Inc., and participated on committees for the March of Dimes-Arkansas chapter, and the United Way of Pulaski County. He also is a retired Army colonel.

He and his wife, Gayle, who also is an ASU alumna, have three grown children.

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