Alumni Groups Director To Retire After 24 Years

Myron D. “Mike” Macechko, director of the Arkansas Alumni Association at the University of Arkansas, said Nov. 15 he will retire in June.

When Macechko took the job in April 1988, the nonprofit group had about 10,500 members. It has since grown to more than 27,000.

The association’s endowment also has grown during his tenure, from $350,000 to more than $7 million.

The group consistently ranks in the top 10 nationally both for percentage of alumni who are members and for retention of members.

A news release from the university listed a number of Macechko’s accomplishments, including starting an alumni-funded merit scholarship program; leading a $3.4 million campaign to expand and renovate the Alumni House; and exceeding a $5 million alumni campaign goal as part of the UA’s “Campaign for the 21st Century.”

In other UA-related news, Melissa Harwood-Rom is set to take over as senior associate dean of students in the Division of Student Affairs. Harwood-Rom has held various positions in the UA’s athletic departments since 1989, most recently as an associate athletic director responsible for providing academic support services to more than 400 student-athletes.

Harwood-Rom will report directly to Danny Pugh, the vice provost for student affairs and dean of students. She will have direct supervisory responsibility over two associate deans of students and also lead the division’s professional development committee to enhance staff training, continuing education and motivation.

The UA also announced the hiring of Darinda Sharp as the new director of communications for the J. William Fulbright College of Arts & Sciences.

Sharp is a Fayetteville native and a UA graduate. She earned a bachelor of arts in journalism and political science and a master of arts in political science from Fulbright College.

She also earned a master of science in human development and family science from the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.

Her previous work experience, according to a university press release, includes communications roles within state government and political organizations.

She has also worked on political campaigns at the local, state and national level in five states.