Joe and Pat Hays Named 2026 Student Business Incubator Sponsor for Walton College

The Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas has received a $50,000 gift from Joe T. Hays and Patricia Hays to support student entrepreneurs through the college’s Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation. 

The fund will support the Walton College’s Student Business Incubator, an immersive program created for some of the U of A’s most promising student entrepreneurs. The gift will help provide flexible support for the program, including student stipends andother operational needs.  

Joe Hays, a 1981 honor graduate of the U of A with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a 2002 recipient of the Entrepreneur of the Year by the Walton College, and his wife, Pat Hays, made this gift to invest in the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs through the  Walton College. 

“This gift will help more students move from ideas to action,” said Brent Williams, dean of the  Walton College. “Helping students build an entrepreneurial mindset is one of the clearest ways we prepare students to lead, create value and solve real problems. We are grateful to Joe and Pat Hays for their belief in our students and in the future they are building.” 

“This gift will help young entrepreneurs gain the experience and confidence they need to build successful businesses that create opportunity and strengthen communities across Arkansas and beyond,” said Chancellor Charles Robinson.  “We are grateful to Joe and Pat Hays for their generosity and the difference it will make for University of Arkansas students.”  

The Student Business Incubator is part of the Walton College’s broader commitment to entrepreneurship and innovation at the U of A, giving students the opportunity to develop ventures in a hands-on environment with mentorship, resources and practical experience. 

By establishing this fund, the Hays family is helping strengthen a program built to give student entrepreneurs the tools and momentum to test ideas, build businesses and gain meaningful experience before they graduate. 

“The Walton College has created a tremendous platform to support entrepreneurship and innovation. Pat and I are proud to support students who are willing to take initiative and build something of their own,” Joe Hays said. “We hope the fund helps these young entrepreneurs take their next step with confidence.” 

About the Sam M. Walton College of Business: The Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas is a nationally recognized leader in business education, known for innovative programs in supply chain management, entrepreneurship, finance, and experiential learning. Located in the heart of one of the nation’s most dynamic business regions, Walton College prepares students to lead with integrity, analytical rigor and entrepreneurial spirit. 

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.