Governor names chief of staff to UA’s board

Morril Harriman - chief of staff for Gov. Mike Beebe since 2007 - was appointed Monday to the University of Arkansas board of trustees.

Harriman, 63, of Little Rock replaces Sam Hilburn of North Little Rock, who was appointed to the board by Gov. Mike Huckabee.

“Morril has been my best friend and most trusted ally throughout my political career,” Beebe said in a news release. “It comes as no surprise that he wants to continue his public service, and I am confident that the U of A Board will benefit from his experience and wisdom.”

Trustees oversee the UA System and its budget of more than $2 billion. The UA System includes nearly 20 universities, community colleges and other entities spread across the state. They include campuses in Fayetteville, Little Rock, Pine Bluff, Fort Smith and Monticello, and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, the state’s only medical school.

Beebe said he doesn’t see any conflict with Harriman continuing to serve as his chief of staff while on the UA board.

“The board is unpaid, part-time. Obviously to the extent that he misses any work, he will take a leave of absence or take leave, so that’s the appropriate thing to do,” Beebe said of Harriman.

“There have been lots of examples of folks that serve in various state agencies or on various boards that also work for the state,” Beebe said. “It is not unprecedented.”

Beebe said his appointment of Harriman wasn’t made in response to some legislative criticism that UA-Fayetteville officials have received as a result of a Legislative Audit Division audit of its Advancement Division’s multimillion-dollar deficit, Beebe said.

“I think that will be a side benefit, however,” the governor said. “Morril is a smart guy and he is a lawyer, and he loves the University of Arkansas and he always has had sound judgment.”

Harriman has been Beebe’s chief of staff since Beebe took office in January 2007. He was a lobbyist for the Poultry Federation from 2000-07and served in the state Senate from 1985-2000. He earned both his bachelor’s and law degrees from UA-Fayetteville.

Harriman said he told Beebe that if the governor ever considered Harriman for an appointment, he hoped it would be for the UA board.

“I have always loved the university system,” Harriman said Monday. “I always have been an advocate of higher education, just as the governor is. He did not give me any marching orders.”

Harriman said he doubts that he will “retire completely” after he departs Beebe’s office.

“I am not totally positive as to what I will do, but I do hope to spend a great deal of time on matters involving the university board of trustees,” he told reporters.

“I am really looking forward to it. Of course, I am a graduate of there with two degrees. My son has two degrees; my brother-in-law has two degrees; my sister has degrees.

“The university has given us a lot of opportunities for myself as well as for my family, and I am really excited about it,” Harriman said.

The governor appoints one UA board member each year for terms of 10 years. Harriman’s appointment will expire March 1, 2024.

Front Section, Pages 1 on 03/18/2014

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