Scott Varady to Become Vice Chancellor for University Advancement Division

Photo by Razorback Foundation

Scott Varady

Scott Varady, the executive director of the Razorback Foundation, has been named vice chancellor for university advancement by Chancellor Charles Robinson, effective April 17.

“During some challenging times, Scott provided transformative leadership in building an outstanding team of fundraising professionals who helped the Razorback Foundation become a full-menu fundraising organization, successfully cultivated hundreds of friends and volunteers, and raised millions of dollars in private gift support benefiting Razorback student-athletes, athletics programs and facilities,” Robinson said. “His deep friendships in the state and his understanding of the university landscape make him ideally suited to step into this significant role at this pivotal time.”   

Varady is a University of Arkansas alumnus who previously served more than 19 years with the University of Arkansas’ Office of the General Counsel, including his role as associate general counsel, prior to becoming the executive director and general counsel of the Razorback Foundation in 2015.

Leading the Razorback Foundation, Varady has been responsible for all operational, membership, governance, annual fund and capital fundraising and service to the organization’s board of directors for the purpose of providing private gift support to Razorback Athletics.

Under Varady’s leadership, the Razorback Foundation exceeded its capital campaign fundraising goals in raising more than $44 million for the expansion and renovation of Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, more than $20 million for the J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Baseball Development Center, and more than $7 million for the Frank O’Mara Track and Field Performance Center as well as record-setting annual fund drives. Among other achievements, Varady was responsible for expanding the presence of the Razorback Foundation throughout Arkansas, including opening a Central Arkansas Office in Little Rock and a Northeast Arkansas Office in Jonesboro. 

“As a native Arkansan and a graduate of this extraordinary institution, I am humbled and grateful to have the opportunity to serve the University of Arkansas, our alumni and the citizens of the state of Arkansas in this new role,” Varady said. “I am honored to join Chancellor Robinson, Provost Terry Martin and the entire leadership team in helping ensure our university achieves its mission and empowers our students, faculty and staff. As the flagship university of the state, the University of Arkansas serves a vital role. I look forward to working alongside our advancement team to generate the necessary resources to achieve excellence on a national and international level.” 

Mark Power Transitioning to New Role at the University 

Mark Power, vice chancellor of university advancement since 2017, will continue to serve the university in a new role, leading fundraising as a senior advisor for key philanthropic initiatives. His last day as vice chancellor will be April 16. 

Mark Power

“Mark is not only well-known, well-liked and well-respected, but he’s a longtime fixture in the fundraising community on our campus with deep relationships with our most longstanding benefactors,” said Robinson. “When he signaled to me his desire to step down, I felt it would be good for the institution to retain his history and expertise in this critical area.”

Power led the conclusion of Campaign Arkansas, which recently raised more than $1.44 billion for student, faculty, program and capital support for the university. He was also a key part of the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century, which finished in 2005 and raised more than $1 billion for the U of A.

“It has been my great privilege to lead the Advancement Division these last six years,” Power said. “I am constantly in awe of the accomplishments of this wonderful team. Working closely with U of A donors, alumni and friends has been the opportunity of a lifetime, and I am blessed to take on such an important new position. Scott is an amazing professional, colleague and friend. He will have a tremendous impact in this role, and I look forward to supporting him in every way I can.”

Power, who became associate vice chancellor for University Development in 2013, joined the university in 2001 as the director of development in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences. He was promoted to executive director of development in 2007, and in 2009, became the executive director for development and principal gifts. Power was named assistant vice chancellor for development in 2011.

About Scott Varady

Before leading the Razorback Foundation, Varady was a member of the university’s executive committee and was responsible for developing and implementing university legal strategies and advising the chancellor, the university’s executive committee, senior-level administrators, faculty and staff on all university legal matters. Varady also coordinated the legal operations of the Fayetteville office with the general counsel of the U of A System.

Prior to joining the university, Varady worked as an associate at Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard PLLC in Little Rock with a focus on commercial litigation. Prior to joining the Mitchell Firm, Varady worked as an associate with the firm of Swidler & Berlin, Chartered, in Washington, D.C., where his practice focused on telecommunications, environmental insurance recovery litigation and general litigation.

Varady also served as a staff member for the late Sen. Dale L. Bumpers on the U.S. Senate Small Business Committee and for former Rep. Bill Alexander. In 1988, Varady received a Master of Science in Foreign Service studying international business development, finance and trade at Georgetown University and was recognized with the Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence. Varady received his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 1993, graduating magna cum laude, and he was inducted into The Order of the Coif and was a member of The Tax Lawyer law journal.

A Little Rock native, Varady earned a B.A. with honors in political science from the University of Arkansas in 1985. Varady is admitted to practice in Arkansas, the District of Columbia, the Eastern and Western Districts of Arkansas, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.

Varady and his wife, Melissa, have a family that includes their son, Dr. Nathan Varady and his wife, Kira, who currently reside in New York City, and a daughter, Emily Varady, who works in Washington, D.C., and is a 2019 graduate of the Honors College at the University of Arkansas.