Interim Head Of University Relations Appointed

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. --- Judy G. Schwab, executive assistant to the vice chancellor for University advancement, has been named interim associate vice chancellor for University Relations, effective May 12.

She succeeds Roger L. Williams, who after five years is leaving the University to become executive director of the Penn State Alumni Association. Schwab will remain in the post until a permanent associate vice chancellor is named. Schwab is not a candidate for the position, and will return to her post as executive assistant to Vice Chancellor G. David Gearhart (to whom the Office of University Relations also reports).

"Judy will do a superb job of providing leadership and oversight to an excellent University relations operation," Gearhart said. "University Relations has been reduced in staff considerably over the last six months, and her appointment will add considerable strength in terms of personnel needed to get the job done. She will be charged with keeping everything running as effectively as possible until a permanent administrator is appointed.

"Judy is an excellent editor and writer with superb organizational skills," Gearhart added. "She knows the University inside and out, and works very well with the Office of the Chancellor. I know the University Relations staff will give her their full support during this time of transition."

Gearhart said he expects to have the permanent associate vice chancellor named and in place as soon as possible. More than 100 individuals have applied for the position from across the country, and the selection of finalists will begin over the next few weeks.

Schwab, a Jonesboro native, is a 1974 graduate of Hendrix College with a B.A. in English. In 1976 she earned the M.Ed. in Secondary Education and English from the University of Arkansas.

In 1976, she also began teaching English at Fayetteville High School, where she quickly developed a reputation as a teacher of writing. In 1978, she was named one of the six best writing teachers in the Mid-South.

Later, she took part in the National Writing Project, sponsored by Rutgers University, and helped to develop the Arkansas Writing Project. In 1981, she assumed the additional title of language arts coordinator for grades K-12 with the Fayetteville School District.

She also co-founded Connotations, the literary/arts magazine of Fayetteville High School. During her 10 years as adviser, the magazine won more than 100 national awards. For six straight years, it gained recognition as one of the five best literary/arts magazines in the country by Columbia University.

During her tenure in public education, Schwab was named the Fayetteville Public Schools Teacher of the Year, the Arkansas Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year, and the Arkansas Humanities Council Teacher of the Year.

In 1993, she joined the staff of the University of Arkansas as associate director of development, writing and coordinating fundraising proposals from across the University.

In 1998, she was promoted to executive assistant, reporting directly to Gearhart. In that post she primarily coordinates activities related to the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century, the University’s fund drive to raise $900 million by June 30, 2005. She also provides direct support to the vice chancellor on a number of projects, and carries out various other administrative duties.