Dr. Bill Ellis, Howard Payne University president, was recently named president of the American Southwest Conference (ASC) Executive Committee. He will begin his one-year term Tuesday, July 1.

The ASC, one of the largest intercollegiate athletic conferences in NCAA Division III, will begin its 19th year of league competition in 2014-15. Twelve colleges and universities located in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas hold membership in the athletic conference.

Dr. Ellis, pictured left, served as vice president for the Executive Committee during the 2013-2014 academic year.