The Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas has named the Mary Ann Greenwood Economics Seminar Series in honor of the late alumna and prominent financial advisor. The naming ceremony took place on Oct. 25, with Reed Greenwood, Mary Ann's husband of 60 years and dean emeritus of the College of Education and Health Professions, and other distinguished guests in attendance.

Mary Ann Greenwood, who passed away in 2022, blazed a trail in the financial services industry and was a devoted supporter of the arts and education in Northwest Arkansas. "If Mary Ann were here, she would tell you, cherish who you are and what you do," Reed Greenwood shared, reflecting on his late wife's enduring impact.

A Local Legend

Mary Ann Greenwood's connection to the U of A ran deep. She earned three degrees from the institution: a bachelor's in finance and banking, a master's in economics, and a doctorate in economics and finance. In 1982, she founded M.A. Greenwood and Associates, an investment advisory firm in Fayetteville, which later became Greenwood Gearhart Inc.

Throughout her career, Greenwood emerged as a nationally recognized leader in the financial services industry, which was predominantly male when she began. In a 2002 profile, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette wrote, “Greenwood embodies the image most people have of a tough businesswoman: tenacious, decisive and extremely self-confident.”

She was also deeply committed to community engagement, serving on numerous boards, including the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund, Arkansas Economic Development Commission Chair, Walton Arts Center Foundation Board, Northwest Arkansas Council and UAMS Rockefeller Cancer Institute Foundation Board. Her contributions to the university were equally significant, serving on the Walton College Dean's Executive Advisory Board and the University of Arkansas Foundation Executive Committee.

Continuing Mary Ann’s Legacy

The Department of Economics’ Mary Ann Greenwood Economics Seminar Series will serve as a platform for pioneering economic research and discussion, bringing together scholars, students and industry professionals. This initiative aligns with Greenwood's lifelong commitment to education and economic development in Arkansas.

"Mary Ann defined what it means to be a trailblazing and community-focused leader,” said U.S. Rep. Steve Womack. “She commanded any room with respect and poise, building a successful firm of the highest standard. Her business acumen only came second to her love for Arkansas. Mary Ann’s legacy will be one of service and philanthropic work that enriched our community in so many ways. I will always be grateful for the times we shared and the mark she left on Northwest Arkansas. We’ve lost a great light.”

The Mary Ann Greenwood Economics Seminar Series invites visiting experts from around the globe to engage with faculty and graduate students on leading research topics, often prior to publication. Held most Fridays in the fall, these seminars feature speakers from diverse sub-fields of economics who present their current research and discuss faculty work. Seminars are hosted most Fridays throughout the fall, and the public is welcome to attend.

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About the Sam M. Walton College of Business: Founded in 1926, the Sam M. Walton College of Business stands as one of the largest colleges at the University of Arkansas, serving over 9,800 students across undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs. The college holds AACSB accreditation and consistently ranks among the top business schools in the United States. Walton College ranks 25th for its undergraduate business program among public colleges in the U.S. News & World Report's 2025 national rankings. Its undergraduate supply chain management program is recognized as the top program in North America by Gartner. In 2023, The Princeton Review included Walton’s M.B.A. program in its Best Business Schools list for On-Campus M.B.A. Programs.

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 $3 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 few 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 and Economic Development News.