Pictured above: Phyllis Parish Howard and Seab Howard with their daughter, Gabrielle.
The most compelling stories often begin with a strong foundation, an origin that shapes everything that follows. For Phyllis Parish Howard ’79, that foundation was built at Barton College, where professors recognized her writing and storytelling talents years before she would become an award-winning TV broadcast producer.
Now, she and her husband, Seab Howard, are helping write a new chapter for future storytellers through a $250,000 named endowment to Barton College, ensuring that students pursuing careers in mass communications will have both the financial support and professional connections to craft their own success stories.
“When you build a life together, you share what matters most to each of you,” Seab explained. “Barton shaped who Phyllis is, and supporting the next generation of communicators is something we both believe in deeply.”
That shared belief has now taken tangible form through the Phyllis Parish Howard ’79 and Seab Howard Endowed Scholarship at Barton College.
For Phyllis, this gift is a continuation of a family legacy that spans five generations. Her great-great grandfather, Dr. John J. Harper, helped found the College in 1902 and served as the second president of what was then Atlantic Christian College. Her parents met each other as students there, and her sister’s enrollment four years before her own helped draw Phyllis to the College.
“Occasional weekend visits to see my sister gave me a real taste of campus life,” Phyllis explained. “I met her Phi Mu sorority sisters (who later became my sisters), other students, and experienced the exciting community before I even applied.”
As an English major, Phyllis benefited from the personal attention that defines a Barton education. Though the College didn’t offer mass communication or journalism majors during her time as a student, her professors recognized her talent. She credits her advisor, Dr. Jim Hemby, and Dr. David Marshall, who taught English and film studies, for creating a special internship opportunity at a local television station during her senior year.
“They saw something in my writing and helped me develop the skills of writing to video – in essence video production – using words, visuals, and natural sound to tell an impactful story,” she recalled. “That internship was an ideal, hands-on opportunity. It provided great experience and helped me land my first broadcasting job (in Raleigh) after graduation!”
That Raleigh position would prove pivotal in more ways than one. While pursuing their respective careers in the capital city, the couple’s paths crossed at a local concert. What seemed like a chance encounter that evening would evolve into a partnership that has spanned decades, personally and philanthropically.
Though Seab didn’t attend Barton, he has developed his own connection to the College over the years. “People might be surprised to learn I’ve probably spent as much time on Barton’s campus as NC State’s, my alma mater,” he laughed. He was especially proud to attend Barton’s 2011 Homecoming with the Parish family, when Phyllis was awarded Alumna of the Year by the Barton College Alumni Association.
Also, reflecting on Phyllis’ four years playing collegiate tennis with the Lady Bulldogs inspired the Howards to support Barton’s new tennis complex. Their relationship with the College remains strong, with Phyllis serving on the Board of Trustees and both frequently attending campus events.
The idea for their endowment emerged during conversations about their shared goals. When they met with Barton’s Advancement team, they brainstormed ways to make an impact. While they actively support their church, Hillyer Memorial in Raleigh, and a variety of other nonprofits, they wanted to create something that aligned their philanthropic passions with Barton’s needs.
“Seab actually suggested it,” Phyllis shared. “He said, ‘What about giving back to students who will follow a similar path as yours and work in similar careers?’ It was the perfect fit for us.”
The newly established endowment will serve two distinct purposes. Primarily, it will provide scholarships for students majoring in Mass Communications, with preference given to those demonstrating financial need and academic promise. Additionally, a portion of the annual funds will support co-curricular programming hosted by the Mass Communications department.
“I consider Barton the launch pad for my 36-year career at WRAL-TV, the NBC affiliate in Raleigh,” Phyllis said. “We hope this scholarship will help launch other students into successful careers in the communications industry.”
What also excites the couple is the lecture and experiential learning component of their gift. The endowment will bring professionals from various communications fields to campus including news anchors, podcasters, video producers, and other industry practitioners, to create learning and networking opportunities open to all students.
“That thrills us,” Phyllis emphasized. “These events will allow mass communication majors to engage with real-world professionals. The campus community will also be invited. That broader impact was important to us, because a visiting multi-platform reporter, broadcast producer, or film director may inspire other students in unique ways.”
The dual nature of their endowment makes it particularly valuable for Barton’s vision to grow the Mass Communications major. Established in 1999, the program has expanded to offer concentrations in digital communications and strategic communications. With digital media labs and a campus television studio, the program prepares students for careers in an increasingly complex media landscape.
This isn’t the first time Phyllis’ name has been associated with the program’s facilities. The television studio includes the Phyllis Parish Howard Television Control Room, dedicated in her honor in 2008. This addition was made possible by a gift from the WRAL/Capitol Broadcasting Company Fund, presented by Jim Goodmon, then president and CEO of Capitol Broadcasting Company, recognizing Phyllis’ significant contributions to broadcast journalism. Before retiring in 2019, she won seven Mid-South Regional Emmy awards and national Telly and Gracie Allen awards for TV programs she wrote and produced including documentaries, community service campaigns, and children’s shows.
When asked what wisdom they would share with current students, the two emphasized engagement. “Volunteer on campus, experience as much as you can,” Phyllis advised. “Go to lectures and events, speak with professors one-on-one. I met and learned from so many different people through campus involvement.”
For Seab, supporting his wife’s alma mater alongside his own has become a natural extension of their partnership. “It’s inspiring to make a positive difference in a person’s life,” he reflected. “Providing a helping hand for students majoring in Mass Communications – whether that’s journalism, TV producing, digital storytelling through words, images, music – it all enriches life for both the writer and the audience.”
The couple considers education a lasting investment. “Helping students get to college, graduate, and launch their career—that’s rewarding,” Phyllis shared. “I would encourage other alumni to think about how they want to make a lasting gift.”
As Barton College prepares a new generation of mass communication students who will shape the future of the industry, the influence of their gift will extend well beyond financial support. “We feel blessed and love to give back and help people in our communities,” Phyllis shared warmly. “And that community includes Barton College.”
To learn more about establishing an endowment fund at Barton College, please contact Tom Maze, assistant vice president for leadership giving, at [email protected] or call (252) 399-6533