Harmony Morrissey

Development director excited about Mid-America Science Museum

Harmony Morrissey is the new director of development at the Mid-America Science Museum in Hot Springs. Raised in Hot Springs, Morrissey is an attorney by education but has worked with various nonprofit organizations for the past several years.
Harmony Morrissey is the new director of development at the Mid-America Science Museum in Hot Springs. Raised in Hot Springs, Morrissey is an attorney by education but has worked with various nonprofit organizations for the past several years.

Harmony Morrissey remembers going to the Mid-America Science Museum as a child and enjoying it. Now, at 42, she is still enjoying the museum, but this time as its new director of development.

“I am now learning all about the museum again,” she said with a smile.

“It’s exciting and fun and sometimes overwhelming, all at the same time. This past year was the first year the museum was open after being closed for renovation. It’s been a great year,” she said.

“I am excited to be a part of such a major educational nonprofit,” said Morrissey, who grew up in Hot Springs. She was formerly the planned-giving coordinator for the First Step Foundation. Prior to her experience with First Step, she was an attorney.

“We are pleased to welcome Harmony to the team at Mid-America Science Museum and feel that her unique set of skills and her educational background and experiences will serve the Hot Springs community well,” said Diane LaFollette, executive director at the Mid-America Science Museum. She said Morrissey’s responsibilities will include concentrating on planned giving and grant projects.

The Mid-America Science Museum houses more than 100 hands-on science installations, including the Bob Wheeler Science Skywalk, a large conical Tesla coil, the Oaklawn Foundation Digital Dome Theater and more.

“I am so excited about the museum and where we are going,” Morrissey said.

Last month, the Institute of Museum and Library Services honored the Mid-America Science Museum as one of 10 recipients of the 2016 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest distinction bestowed on museums and libraries for outstanding service to the community. The award recognizes institutions responding to societal needs in innovative ways, making a difference for individuals, families and their communities.

“The museum received this national recognition for its impact on the community when, ironically, it could not be the world-class institution that it is without the overwhelming community support for the recent facility renovation; ongoing annual support for innovative outreach programs, educational classes and exhibits; and visits from area schools that bring science to life for our often underserved youth,” Morrissey said. “It is only by working together that we can impact our youth and begin to change the economic climate of this region.

“As proud as I am of the museum winning the nation medal, I am even more proud to be part of this team and part of this community that is working together for a brighter future for our kids and for Arkansas.”

Morrissey is a graduate of Lakeside High School. She graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and from the William H. Bowen School of Law at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 2000.

“I am an attorney by education, from a family full of attorneys,” she said, smiling. “I tried to break the mold. I am not a practicing attorney.”

Morrissey is the daughter of Q. Byrum Hurst Jr. and Margaret Henry, and the stepdaughter of Rita Hurst, all of Hot Springs. Morrissey has two brothers, Josh Hurst and Justin Hurst, who are both attorneys with their father at the Hurst Law Group in Hot Springs; a half-brother, Quincy Hurst, who is a vice president at Superior Senior Care in Hot Springs; and a half-sister, Rachel Kemp, who is an attorney with the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office in Little Rock.

Morrissey has three children — Shafer, 14, Meg, 11, and Clara, 6. They are also the children of Travis Morrissey.

Shafer, who was born with health complications and is nonverbal and nonmobile, spent many months at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, and Harmony Morrissey became involved with the ACH Circle of Friends. She also did a lot of volunteer work at First Step School, which Shafer attends.

“My first working position was with the First Step Foundation,” Morrissey said. “They asked me if I would consider being in charge of planned giving, which I did. I served as director of planned giving until January, when I accepted the job here at the museum.”

Morrissey said the museum is gearing up for summer activities.

“The museum floor is being overrun by dinosaurs,” she said with a laugh. “The Dinosaurs Revealed exhibit opens Memorial Day weekend, and the dinos have begun arriving at the museum.

“When you enter the museum, you are now greeted by Rexy, a T. rex that came from the movie set of Night at the Museum. Additionally, we are in the midst of planning our fourth annual TinkerFest, presented by KYE-YAC [International] . TinkerFest is set for June 18 and is a day full of hands-on, minds-on science fun where area businesses, organizations and individuals get to show, tell, experiment, build, tinker and interact with over 1,000 guests.

“From Dinosaurs Revealed, the first traveling exhibit since our grand re-opening in March 2015, to TinkerFest and weekly science camps, the museum is the place to be in summer 2016.”

For more information on the Mid-America Science Museum, as well as ways to support it, visit the midamericamuseum.org, or contact Morrissey at (501) 767-3461, ext. 114, or harmonym@midamericamuseum.org.

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