U of A Media Manager Retiring After 13 Years With University Relations

Photo by Russell Cothren

Steve Voorhies

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Steve Voorhies, a University of Arkansas alumnus and former local news reporter, is retiring after working for 13 years as the U of A manager of media relations for University Relations. His last official day will be Aug. 31.

“We’re really going to miss Steve around here,” said Mark Rushing, assistant vice chancellor for University Relations. “He’s a fixture in our office, on this campus and in the region. It seems like everyone knows him in one way or another due to his spokesman role at the university, his long broadcast journalism career and many other ways that he’s been involved in this community over a period of more than 40 years.”

Voorhies earned a master’s degree in television, radio and film in 1978 from what is now the U of A Department of Communication. He began working as a reporter and photographer for KFSM-TV’s Fayetteville bureau while still in school and worked there in various capacities for 25 years. He joined University Relations in February 2006.

“This has been a wonderful place to work – this office and the university,” he said. “The people at the University of Arkansas do important work for the state of Arkansas, and I’ve enjoyed having the chance to share their stories and accomplishments. The students are inspiring and a constant surprise.

“As for University Relations, I couldn’t ask for a better group of colleagues – talented, dedicated professionals who treat each other with respect and know how to have a good time while getting the job done. I’d say they’re like family – but actually I think they’re maybe even better.”

Voorhies acknowledges he’s had a few ups and downs in his career at the U of A.

“Remember the old days, when we used to have snow in the winter?” he asked. “One morning I was supposed to send out a notice of a delayed opening because of a light snow, as I recall. Instead I sent out a year old message saying the campus would be closed for two days. Dave Gearhart was chancellor and he called me about two minutes after the message went out and said he thought there’d been an error. The man never slept. I fixed it, but it was too late.

“A reporter called that morning to ask what happened and I said ‘Some idiot pushed the wrong button. And that idiot was me.’ It made the quote of the day in the Arkanas Democrat-Gazette. My mother was so proud.”

Voorhies also provided communications and served on the committees for the student Distinguished Lecture Series, the One Book, One Community program and the U of A United Way campaign.

“I’d have to say a high point of my career at the U of A was meeting the men of the Apollo 13 mission – the real ones, Jim Lovell, Fred Haise and Gene Kranz – and getting to introduce them at a news conference with local reporters. It was a real honor,” he said.

“When Steve told me that his first assignment at the university was crafting the announcement for his own hiring, I thought it would be fitting to ask him to develop his own retirement announcement as well,” Rushing said. “Like his first assignment and all that have followed, he eagerly accepted.”

A retirement gathering will be held from 4:30-6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30, at University House. All are invited.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2.7 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.