Animal Science Department Establishes Award Honoring Former Department Head

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Dr. Paul Noland with Dean Michael Vayda, Chanellor G. David Gearhart, Dr. Michael Looper and Dr. Clarence Watson

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- The Department of Animal Science at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences has established the Paul R. Noland Graduate Student Award.

Created in honor of Noland’s 90th birthday, the award will be given to the winner of an annual competition. The competition, to be held in January, one week prior to the start of the spring semester, will judge students in three areas: abstract, oral presentation and curriculum vitae. One M.S. and one Ph.D. student will be awarded a travel stipend to apply toward travel to regional or national conventions where they are presenting research. The winners will also represent the department in the Bumpers College outstanding graduate student competition. 

“Establishment of this award is a small way to commemorate Dr. Noland’s 90th birthday and recognize his 43 years of extraordinary service to the department, college and university,” said Michael Looper, department head.

A reception honoring Noland was held at the Pauline Whitaker Animal Science Center on October 14. Chancellor G. David Gearhart, Clarence Watson, director of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, and Michael Vayda, dean of Bumpers College, all feted Noland with remarks regarding his dedication and influence on the students of the department and the university.Following the remarks, Elizabeth Backes, president of the department’s Graduate Student Association, presented a plaque to Noland marking the establishment of the award.

Noland joined the Animal Science faculty in 1951. He was promoted to professor in 1960 and in 1988 became department head, a position he held until his retirement in 1994. He was mayor of Fayetteville and a member of the city’s board of directors. From 1955-57 he assisted the Minister of Agriculture of Panama in creating an animal research program. In 2009 Panama awarded Noland the Vasco Nunez de Balboa Award, which is the highest award in Panama.