Paul Noland, 91, Longtime Animal Science Professor, Dies; Established Agricultural Mission in Panama

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Paul Noland

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Paul R. Noland had onlybeen on the University of Arkansas faculty for a few years when he volunteered to spend a two years in Panama to develop an animal research program there. That program served as a foundation for a 60 year  collaboration between Panama, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.

Noland, 91, died Dec. 31 in Fayetteville. He was  emeritus professor of animal science.

Noland said in a 2005 interview that he made from 40 to 50 trips to Panama and the region. "We were supposed to be training Panamanian agricultural people in research techniques," he said. "So we lived out there on that experiment station for two years. It was a good experience. … As a result of that, we had an interest in Central and South America." 

"Paul was not only a pioneer and excellent educator, but he was a neighbor and great friend," said Michael Vayda, dean of Bumpers College. "He helped the University of Arkansas become the first U.S. land grant institution in the country to establish a foreign agricultural mission with his work in Panama. His efforts in agriculture, extension, teaching and research are still evident today. His service went well beyond his roles as head of animal and poultry science. Our students benefitted tremendously from his expertise. He will be missed."

"Dr. Noland was a very special person and a consummate gentleman," said Michael Looper, head of the Department of Animal Science. "He was the department head while I was a student in animal science and taught me animal nutrition. Dr. Noland provided 43 years of extraordinary service to the department, college and university. He exemplified all three principles of the land-grant mission. Dr. Noland lived a life of service to others, and his contributions to global animal agriculture will be appreciated for years to come."     

Noland's founding efforts in Panama from 1955 to 1957 were cited in 2012 when the Panamanian Ministry of Agriculture signed an agreement with the Division of Agriculture and Bumpers College to exchange faculty and extension professionals for lectures, study tours and professional discussions.

Noland's work was recognized by Panama in 2009 when President Ricardo Martinelli, a U of A alumnus, presented him the Vasco Nunez de Balboa Award, the nation's highest civilian honor. Martinelli credited the Arkansas program that Noland developed with stimulating Panama's agricultural growth and enhancing academic ties with the university.

Noland  served as head of the Department of Animal Science from 1988 until his retirement in 1994, during which time he participated in the establishment of the department's poultry science program into a separate academic department. He joined the faculty in 1951 after receiving his doctoral degree from Cornell University. In addition to conducting research in swine nutrition and management, sheep management and beef cattle nutrition, Noland taught courses including the freshman animal science class, laboratory methods, swine production and advanced livestock production.

"A number of these students at that time went on to become leaders in Fortune 500 companies," Noland said. "On the other hand, over the years I've run into a number of students out in the state who finished their work here, went back to their main community and were leaders in those home communities - school boards, worked in their churches, Farm Bureau. They've made tremendous contributions."

Noland's honors include the Paul R. Noland Graduate Student Award, established in 2014 by the Division of Agriculture and Bumpers College to recognize the winner of an annual competition among graduate students. In 1995 he was inducted into the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame. He served for 25 years as the faculty advisor to Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. In 1963, he received the university's Distinguished Faculty Member Award. 

Noland was active in local civic affairs, capping 14 years on the Fayetteville Board of Directors by serving as the city's mayor during his final five years on the board. His work on building the city's sewage treatment plant resulted in its naming as the Paul R. Noland Wastewater Treatment Facility.

"I told them they could name it after me as long is it continued to work," Noland said.

He was active in the Lions Club, the Boy Scouts and Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville. 

Survivors include his wife, Eunice Noland; brother Albert Noland; sons Steve, Stewart, Bob, and Brian Noland; daughters-in-law, Barbara, Debbie, Marilyn, and Ann Noland; grandchildren Heath and Ashley Noland; Matt and Hillary Sutherland, Ross and Ali Noland, Joe and Claire Beggans, John Paul and Brianna Noland, and Emily, Taylor and Mallory Noland, and 10 great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, at Central United Methodist Church, 6 W. Dickson St., in Fayetteville with a reception to follow. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations to the Dr. Paul R. Noland Endowed Scholarship Fund, 1002 W. Maple St., Fayetteville, Ark. 72701.