Arizona Regents honor Yuma couple

The Arizona Board of Regents recently bestowed the 2010 Regents' Award for Outstanding Service to Higher Education to Harold and Marion Elliott during a dinner reception honoring their distinguished service.

Since 1996, the regents have honored individuals and organizations whose service goes above and beyond the standard of excellence to support higher education in Arizona.

Harold served Kofa High School as principal for nearly 20 years until his retirement in 1975. He also served as Northern Arizona University president. Later he also served as NAU Alumni Association board president.
Marion was three-time president of NAU Foundation board and after 30 years is still an active board member, she noted.

"We were totally surprised and amazed. It's quite a compliment because it is the top honor of education," Marion said.

She added that the Board of Regents is a quite an influential board, governing Arizona's higher institutions of learning. She said the group is comprised of many accomplished professionals.

The Elliotts were instrumental in securing a position on the board for a rural member and lobbied for a representative from Arizona's "west coast," Marion recalled. Although it required a great deal of perseverance on the part of many people, they finally succeeded in persuading former Gov. Janet Napolitano to appoint Bob McLendon, former Yuma County supervisor, she recalled.
"He's serving beautifully well and is an especially strong advocate for NAU and all the satellite campuses," she said.

John Haeger, NAU president, praised the Elliotts as gracious leaders who are extremely dedicated to the arts. Haeger added that the Elliotts left a lasting mark on the university and in education at all levels throughout the state.

Neil Goodell, NAU director of alumni relations, said the Elliotts have dedicated their lives to the spirit of giving and broad-reaching philanthropic endeavors. Goodell added their long-standing commitment to education and the arts spans decades.

Education at all levels is extremely important to any and all individuals at any age, Marion said.

"It's extremely important for the quality of the citizens in our state that we have as well an educated population as possible in all vocations and professions," she said. "And everybody knows that higher education is going through especially trying financial times, just like many other facets of commerce. At this time, there are many cost-cutting measures in our cities and public services."

Harold received his bachelor's degree from Arizona State College, later renamed Arizona State University, in 1949. He completed his master's degree at that school in 1951. Marion received her bachelor's degree in 1952 from Arizona State College and her master's from the same school in 1956.

The fate and quality of Arizona as a place in which to live and do business has been in a tenuous position the past couple of years, Marion noted.

"Therefore, education cannot be ignored and must be supported at all levels. For me, my heart belongs to the arts. And I believe the arts are an equally vital part of all levels of education and life."

William Roller can be reached at wroller@yumasun.com or 539-6858.