John Delery, management professor and the Raymond F. Orr Chair in Management, has been named director of the Walton honors program.

Delery's new position was announced by Javier A. Reyes, associate dean for undergraduate studies and professor of economics in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas. Delery takes over for Robert Stapp, a clinical professor of economics, who plans to expand his involvement with study abroad and international business programs, such as the study abroad in Japan and the Model United Nations competition.

"I am excited to take over as Walton honors director," Delery said. "I look forward to working with such a great group of students and Walton Honors Associate Director Jason Adams."

"I have taught in the program for the past few years and have been thoroughly impressed by the incredible drive and intellectual curiosity of the students," Delery said. "I hope to continue a program that provides incredible academic opportunities to the students and continues on the path cultivated by the outstanding directors who headed the program before me."

"We are excited to have John Delery in this position," Reyes said. "He has taught in the honors program, has advised numerous honors thesis and just last year was the recipient of the College Teaching Award. We think that he brings great experience to all the aspects of the program."

Delery earned a master of science in psychology from Memphis State and a doctorate in business administration from Texas A&M, with an emphasis in human resource management. His current research interests include the strategic management of human capital, the structure of human resource management systems and employee selection. He is a widely cited scholar and has published research articles in top management journals including the Academy of Management Journal, Strategic Management Journal, Personnel Psychology, Industrial Relations, Human Resource Management Review, Journal of Organizational Behavior and the Journal of Applied Social Psychology. His research has been funded by the National Science Foundation, among others.

About 80 students successfully completed the Walton Honors program last year. The honors program continues to grow, with more than 500 students enrolled for the fall semester.

"This program is one of the key pillars of the college as it provides numerous opportunities for students to live up to their fullest potential not only in their classes but also by opening opportunities for research, study abroad, and connections with industry," Reyes said.