 In 1961, he served as chairman of the President-Elect's Task Force Committee on Education.From 1970 to 1973, he served on the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.Hovde served as President of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (1953-1954), as vice chairman of the American Council on Education (1955-1956), and a member of the President's Committee on Education Beyond High School (1956-1957).