After serving the University of Arkansas System for 30 years, Barbara A. Lofton, Ed.D.,
assistant dean for the Dr. Barbara A. Lofton Office of Diversity & Inclusion at the
Sam M. Walton College of Business, is saying goodbye to the Fayetteville campus and
returning to her home state of Mississippi.
But what’s a retirement without cake?
Drop by to wish Lofton a fond farewell on Monday, June 26, from 6-8 p.m. in Willard
J. Walker Hall (WJWH) Room 203. Please reply if you plan to attend.
Thirty Years!
Lofton started her U of A career in 1993 at as an assistant professor within the Department
of Health, Physical Education & Recreation at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
In 1996, she followed her husband Jon to the Fayetteville campus where he was working
on his Ph.D. In Fayetteville, she was named the director of Walton College’s minority
affairs office.
Over the last 27 years, Lofton has made her mark at Walton College. She has served
as the chief diversity officer for the college and has implemented inclusion initiatives
for students, staff and faculty. She created and managed several scholarships for
underserved students and developed and implemented numerous outreach initiatives and
summer camps for potential students.
While overseeing Walton College’s Office of Diversity & Inclusion, Lofton also taught
graduate level classes and led study-abroad classes to Ghana. She has served as a
consultant to other SEC business colleges who are creating or strengthening their
diversity and inclusion efforts.
She has received many accolades for her work:
- 2014 – Received Lifetime Achievement Award from the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation.
- 2017 -- Named an Honorary Alumna by the University of Arkansas Black Alumni Society.
- 2019 – Received Tony Walker Diversity Champion Award from the Gerald and Candace Alley Foundation.
- 2019 – Received American Association of Blacks in Higher Education (AABHE) Exemplary Public Service Award.
- 2021 -- Served as the keynote speaker for the 2021 SEC Diversity Conference.
- 2021- The University of Arkansas named Lofton as a Portrait of Progress, which chronicled prominent figures in the U of A's history for breaking racial barriers.
In 2020 Lofton was named assistant dean at Walton College. The following year Walton
College announced a scholarship in Lofton's honor and renamed the office the Dr. Barbara
A. Lofton Office of Diversity & Inclusion.
"Ever since I took on the role of dean at the college, I have relied on Barbara's
leadership and initiative in the areas of diversity, inclusion and recruitment," said
Matt Waller, dean of Walton College. "I will greatly miss her support, enthusiasm
for the well-being of our students and the college itself, and her dedication to fostering
an inclusive atmosphere for everyone."
While her contributions are many, her biggest and most impactful contribution is how
she makes others feel.
“Dr. Lofton is an institution for the Walton College. She poured so much into making
sure that her students had all the tools for success inclusive of mentors, scholarships,
tutors and sometimes even tough love,” said Ebony Oliver Wyatt, vice president at
General Mills and chair of the Walton College Dean’s Alumni Advisory Council. “She
was my family when I was away from home as a student. She helped me find success as
a first-generation college student 20+ years ago. I appreciate all the many ways Dr.
Lofton supported me as a student at the university. My goal is to honor Dr. Lofton
by paying it forward every single day and helping those around me to be successful.”
Lofton serves on the board for the Business School Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Collaborative. She received her B.S.Ed. from Jackson State University, M.A. from the
University of Iowa, and Ed.D. from Grambling State University.
Since 2013, Lori McLemore has served as the marketing and communications officer for
the Sam M. Walton College of Business. In this role, she writes press releases and
features articles to promote the work of students, faculty and staff. 
