Jim Goodlander Retirement Celebration Set for March 29

Photo by University of Arkansas

Jim Goodlander

The U of A community is invited to celebrate the service and contributions of Associate Director of Technology Jim Goodlander from 3-4:30 p.m. Friday, March 29, in the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Enterprise Development Atrium.

In March of 1999, Goodlander joined Sam M. Walton College of Business as a computer support specialist for the Walton Technology Center. He was instrumental in upgrading the technology for classrooms and designing the media studio for the newly opened Reynolds Center. 

When Walton College opened a video department the following year, Goodlander became associate director of technology, servicing all the university’s video needs. He kept the momentum, traveling the world and capturing video footage for Walton College. In the states, he captured behind-the-scenes footage of the New York Stock Exchange. Over 7,000 miles away, he worked with The Fortune Institute of Business in New Delhi, India, for coverage on video conferencing technology. 

Brent Williams, dean of Walton College, echoed the sentiments of many faculty and staff who worked alongside Goodlander, “His impact on Walton College spans from the classroom to the podcast studio. He has moved us forward by advancing our digital capabilities time and time again. Jim will be missed by university faculty and staff. I wish him well in retirement.”

Goodlander never stopped innovating and advancing, winning a Telly award in 2015 for a video project promoting the college’s social media. Jim began his career with analog tape and is retiring in the time of AI. He shared a bit of wisdom while looking back at his time on campus:

“[It] is mind-boggling, which also means it is never dull,” he said. “One must understand and adapt to succeed.”

Goodlander is one of many employees who bring the level of excellence that Walton College is known for.

“I cannot tell you how blessed I feel to have worked at the University of Arkansas,” Goodlander said. “The level of support and comradery at the U of A is something I will cherish forever. I have really enjoyed getting to know all the faculty, staff and students over the years. And seeing some students graduate and then return to teach in Walton makes it special.” In the words of a true Razorback, he added, “However, I am still waiting to see the football Hogs win a national championship!”

What’s on the agenda for Goodlander as a retiree? He is looking forward to a summer full of camping trips and an excursion to Alaska next year. Faculty and staff are invited to celebrate his incredible accomplishments and best wishes for a future filled with family, travels and happiness. 

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas’ economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research and Economic Development News.