Joyce Faulkner, a devoted friend and supporter of the U of A, has passed away at the age of 86. She was proceeded in death three months prior by her husband of 50 years, Jim Faulkner, who was an alumnus and fellow champion of the university.

“Losing both of these incredible individuals in the span of three months is heartbreaking,” said Chancellor Joe Steinmetz. “Sandy and I will never forget the hospitality and generosity of the Faulkners and how much they loved the university. They will be remembered fondly on our campus, and their legacy will undoubtedly live on through their philanthropy.”

Faulkner grew up in Benton and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a degree in anthropology. She and her husband were avid tennis players and founders of the Arkansas Tennis Patron’s Association.

At the U of A, the Faulkners leave behind a legacy of supporting students, programs and facilities on campus, including Garvan Woodland Gardens, the Chancellor’s Society, the Wallace W. and Jama M. Fowler House, the Joyce and James H. Faulkner Band Scholarship, the Faulkner Family Chancellor’s Scholarship Fund and — most notably — the Jim and Joyce Faulkner Performing Arts Center.

Completed in 2015, the Faulkner Center is a world-class performance venue that is 39,400 square feet and seats 587 people. It can also accommodate up to 250 performers at once on its stage.

Joyce Faulkner speaks at the dedication of the Faulkner Performing Arts Center.

The center was named for Jim and Joyce Faulkner in recognition of the couple’s major gift to the project, which was a renovation of the U of A’s old Field House.

Thanks to the Faulkners, the center is now the main performance venue for the U of A’s Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences and its Department of Music, and each year it hosts a diverse range of guest musical activities for the university and the Northwest Arkansas community. 

Nicole Cotton-Leachman, managing director of the Faulkner Center, said, “The news of losing our dear friend and second namesake in just a few short months was, the least to say, devastating. Joyce Faulkner was one of the kindest souls I have ever had the honor of knowing.”

Todd Shields, dean of the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, agreed, adding that “from the very first time Joyce ever invited me into her home, her warmth and care were second to none.”

“I remember at that first visit, I was only supposed to be there for maybe a quarter of an hour, but Joyce wouldn’t hear it. She insisted I stay for dinner, introduced me to her family members, and we talked into the night. It was like I had come to a second home,” Shields said. “Joyce was so welcoming and kind, and all she wanted to know was how she and Jim could help me, help our college and help our community.”

Cotton-Leachman said that doesn’t surprise her, as in addition to her hospitality and passion for service, “the best word I can use to describe Joyce is ‘joyful.’ No matter what time, what was going on around her, Joyce always had a smile on her face and a joyful spirit.”

Jim and Joyce Faulkner and their commemorative painting displayed in the Faulkner Performing Arts Center.

“She treated everyone with kind, welcoming words and wanted nothing more than to help and uplift those around her. How fitting that such a woman contributed so much to her community, this university and her friends and family,” she said. 

Cotton-Leachman also said Faulkner loved young people and wanted nothing more than to see them thrive and succeed in their endeavors. 

“She was a beautiful example to me — and all women — of how to be a generous, strong and business-savvy pillar in our communities. Joyce has left a legacy for all young women, and I know that I will continue to aspire to live up to even a portion of her legacy,” she said.

Like her husband, Faulkner remained dedicated to the university over the years and was always very involved. She served on the Central Arkansas Advisory Committee, the Board of Advisors, the Campaign Arkansas Steering Committee and the Campaign Arkansas committee for Central Arkansas. She was a life member of the Arkansas Alumni Association, included in the Towers of Old Main and counted as a Thoroughred for her 31 years of consecutive giving to the university.

Mark Power, vice chancellor for advancement said, “Joyce was a remarkable person. She always exuded kindness and grace and displayed a true spirit for helping others and giving back. We will miss her — and Jim — tremendously and are so thankful for the time we had with them.”

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 top 3% of 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 News.