Mark Wilton, director of development and external relations for U of A's Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, has been appointed to the board of directors with a national agricultural organization.

Wilton, who has been with Bumpers College since 2019, is serving a one-year appointment on the board for the National Agricultural Alumni and Development Association.

He is serving as the past NAADA conference co-chair and co-chair for the 2023 NAADA Sponsorship Committee, and is responsible for developing the theme; identifying offsite event locations, including the opening reception, Spirit Night and educational tours; assisting in identifying keynote speakers; working with the Education Committee to coordinate conference programming; and soliciting and stewarding sponsorships.

"I am excited to welcome Mark back to our board of directors," said Jordan Moseley, NAADA president. "I look forward to partnering with our board members as they include a diverse representation of individuals from all over the country. This diversity is vital to our organization enhancing mission-critical solutions to better serve NAADA and our universities as NAADA provides education, support and recognition for professionals and volunteers dedicated to expanding resources for advancing agriculture and related disciplines through land-grant and other colleges of agricultural sciences and partner programs."

Wilton's term of service began June 17 with more than 20 other board members from across the United States following NAADA's 47th Annual Conference.

Bumpers College and the U of A System Division of Agriculture co-hosted this year's NAADA Conference in Fayetteville, bringing the event to Arkansas for the first time. Wilton; Brian Helms, director of stake holder relations with the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service; Jill Bowman, coordinator of development and external relations with Bumpers College; Kristin Seals, associate director of facilities and special events with Bumpers College; and Stephanie Neipling, associate director of external relations with the U of A System Division of Agriculture, coordinated the conference.

"I am extremely honored and excited to have the opportunity to again serve on the NAADA Board of Directors and look forward to assisting with the planning of the 2023 NAADA Conference," Wilton said. "Hosting the conference for the first time ever in Arkansas, it was an honor to co-chair the 2022 NAADA Conference Committee and showcase Bumpers College, the Division of Agriculture, the university and Arkansas agriculture." 

Wilton joined the U of A staff after previously working at the College of Agriculture at Auburn University from 2000-2019. He held various positions in development, including coordinator and director.

In his role with Bumpers College, he provides strategic direction to obtain major gifts, maintains a development plan and directs fundraising, external relations and alumni engagement activities.

NAADA is dedicated to professional advancement of its members and the institutions they serve. The organization provides education and support for professionals, volunteers and student leaders dedicated to serving land-grant colleges of agricultural sciences and related programs. The network of members includes institutions from across the United States.

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture. For more information about Bumpers College, visit our website, and follow us on Twitter at @BumpersCollege and Instagram at BumpersCollege.

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.