Mary Purvis Joins UA Development Team

Mary Purvis of Fayetteville is the new assistant director of corporate and foundation relations at the University of Arkansas. She joins the university development team within the Division of University Advancement, which helps secure private gifts for the university.

Purvis comes to the UofA from the Ozark affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure where she served as the director of development, responsible for raising funds for the annual race.

Purvis’ past roles include account manager and operations manager positions for Transplace, carrier development manager for J.B. Hunt Logistics and public affairs representative for GTE Southwest, now Verizon Communications. Her responsibilities have ranged from public relations and community engagement to business management and strategic planning.

“I am truly honored to be joining the university development team,” said Purvis. “To be able to work on behalf of my alma mater for the advancement and enrichment of the state of Arkansas is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Purvis holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in journalism and political science from the University of Arkansas.

She has held various community positions including president of the family council in the health care unit of Butterfield Trail Village; various positions affiliated with the Ozark Race for the Cure, now the Susan G. Komen for the Cure; advisory board member of Faith in Action with Washington Regional Medical Center and an advisory board member of H.O.P.E., Helping Oncology Patients Excel.

Purvis, originally from Little Rock, is married to Hoyt Purvis, journalism professor and associate director of the international relations program in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences.