Arkansas state Representative and Speaker of the House Bobby Hogue (D-Jonesboro) joined Arkansas State University's Athletic Department as the assistant athletic director for development.

Hogue takes over for Bill Templeton, who announced his retirement in January after a 34-year career at ASU. Templeton's retirement takes effect Dec. 31.

The Athletic Department is working on a comprehensive fundraising effort in March. Hogue and Templeton will lead the drive throughout the rest of the year.

"I am extremely honored that ASU would even consider me for the position," Hogue said. "I promise you and this university that we will put in as many hours as we need to. We will talk to as many people as we need to. We'll shake as many hands as we need to. We hope this program will grow to the degree that the university wants it to grow. I'm looking forward to this, and I'm excited about this. To be honest with you, I'm almost beyond words."

Hogue indicated that his new job should not interfere with his service in the state Legislature, saying he will not full time at ASU until the legislative session ends.

According to university officials, Hogue said he will be able to fulfill his duties as speaker.

"We are very excited to have Bobby Hogue join our staff," said Barry Dowd, athletic director. "He brings great credibility to our overall program, and he will provide invaluable assistance to Arkansas State University. We are extremely pleased to be able to make this announcement."

Hogue, who lives in Jonesboro, received his bachelor's degree in agriculture, a master's degree in school administration and an education specialist degree in school administration from ASU.

He is the fourth person in state history to serve consecutive terms as speaker of the house. Hogue became speaker of the house at the 1995 General Assembly and was re-elected to the 81st legislation on Jan. 13.

He is the second speaker to hold the position for consecutive terms. Hogue has represented Craighead County in the Arkansas General Assembly since 1979.

He is an ex-officio member of the Legislative Council and of the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee and is also a member of the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee, as well as the House Aging and Legislative Affairs Committee.

Selected as one of nine national public officials of the year for 1995 by Governing magazine, he has also been featured in the journal State Legislatures, a publication of the National Conference of State Legislatures. Hogue has served on the American Legislative Exchange Council's national board of directors since 1995 and currently is the organization's first vice chairman.

He is also a member of the Southern Growth Policies Board and of the Council of State Governments and serves on the executive committee of the Southern Legislative Conference. He has also served as a member of the Game and Fish Commission Foundation board of directors.

A native of New Albany, Miss., Hogue graduated from Senatobia High School and attended Northwest Mississippi Junior College before transferring to ASU. He and his wife, Frankie, have two children.

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