Dean Appoints Three More to Walton College Positions

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Dean Eli Jones of the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas has named Gary D. Ferrier as interim associate dean for undergraduate studies.

Jones also announced the appointment of Bill Curington as interim chair of the department of economics and Amy Farmer as interim co-chair of the Walton College’s global engagement office.

“I am looking forward to working with Gary, Amy and Bill as we further advance the Walton College and the University of Arkansas,” Jones said.

Gary Ferrier

Ferrier, who had been serving as chair of the department of economics, is a University Professor and holds the Lewis E. Epley Jr. Professorship in Economics. He has been teaching economics since 1982 and came to the University of Arkansas in 1993. In addition to Arkansas, he has taught in North Carolina, Texas, Denmark, France, Italy and Malaysia. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his doctoral degree in economics from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

“Dean Jones asked me to join his team as the interim associate dean for undergraduate studies,” Ferrier said. “I am very excited about working closely with Dr. Jones and associate dean Anne O’Leary-Kelly over the next year.”

Bill Currington

Curington is a professor of economics who had been serving as co-chair of the global engagement office. He joined the Walton College faculty in 1980 and was promoted to professor in 1989. He earned a bachelor of science degree in economics and history from the University of Texas at Austin, a master’s degree in labor and industrial relations from Michigan State University and his master of arts and a doctoral degree in economics from Syracuse University.

“The economics department faculty are a great mix of young and seasoned scholars who have made significant contributions to the teaching, research and service goals of the Walton College,” Curington said. “As department head, my role is to support, encourage and empower the faculty to further enhance those contributions.”

Amy Farmer

Farmer, who holds the Margaret Gerig and R.S. Martin Jr. Chair in Business, earned her bachelor of science in mathematics from Purdue University, a master of arts in economics and her doctoral degree in economics from Duke University.

“This is an exciting time to join the global engagement office,” Farmer said. “The Walton College has been increasing its efforts in the international arena, and at this time there are so many amazing programs and new initiatives on the horizon.”