Sherry Li, professor of economics at the Sam M. Walton College of Business, is the
new holder of the Lewis E. Epley Jr. Professorship. Li, the second holder of this
prestigious title, follows Gary Ferrier, Ph.D., who retired this past summer after
30 years of service to the University of Arkansas.
“I am pleased to officially announce Professor Sherry Li as the new Lewis E. Epley
Jr. Professor,” said Brent Williams, interim dean for Walton College. “This esteemed
professorship, one of our highest academic honors, will help to enhance and strengthen
Professor Li’s scholarly pursuits and impact on the field of economics. I am proud
to recognize her with this honor.”
Li joined the Department of Economics in 2018 as a professor of economics and director
of the Behavioral Lab at Walton College. Previously she served as a faculty member
at the University of Texas at Dallas. Li earned a Ph.D. in economics from the University
of Michigan, a master’s degree in economics from Syracuse University and bachelor’s
and master’s degrees in public finance from Renmin University of China. Her research
focuses on behavioral, experimental, public, labor and development economics.
The Lewis E. Epley Jr. Professorship was established in 1999 as part of the record-breaking
$50 million gift from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation, which earmarked
$1 million for the professorship. The endowment was created to honor Lewis E. Epley
Jr., a U of A alumnus, former Board of Trustees member and attorney. Epley practiced
law in Eureka Springs for 40 years. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration
in 1954 and a Juris Doctorate in 1961 from the University of Arkansas.
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. 
