FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Sam M. Walton College of Business has announced that former Dean Doyle Z. Williams will retire on Aug. 31, 2006.

Williams stepped down as dean on Aug. 21, 2005 when Dean Dan L. Worrell joined the University of Arkansas as the 10th dean of the Walton College. During this current academic year, Williams is continuing his work as immediate past chair for the AACSB International — the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business as well as on special projects for the college.

"Under Doyle’s leadership, the college made great strides in innovative curricula, research reputation and enhanced service to the business fields and our community, while strengthening our financial position through fund raising that substantially increased our endowment," said Karen Pincus, chair of the accounting department and S. Robson Walton Chair in Accounting. "In each area, the progress was nothing short of stellar. His list of honors and accomplishments outside the college is equally long and impressive. Beyond what he has done, Doyle will be missed for who he is -- a person with a remarkably low ego, high ethical standards, and genuine concern for the students, staff, faculty, alumni and other stakeholders of our college." 

Williams said: "I have been blessed with a long and fruitful career in higher education. I taught my first class 43 years ago and have been an administrator for the last 32 years. I have thoroughly enjoyed helping advance programs at three different universities. I can not think of a more rewarding career than helping advance programs that are committed to enhancing the intellectual potential of individuals. I will always cherish the opportunities that have been afforded me to work with wonderful and supportive faculty colleagues, professional staff members, and delightful students. Together, we have been dedicated to excellence. I also deeply appreciate the opportunities to serve my profession at the state, national, and international levels over the years. These will be memories that I will long treasure."

Dean Worrell said: "Doyle Williams has made remarkable progress throughout his tenure at the Walton College. He is an extraordinary leader, and he has left a wonderful legacy in the many excellent academic and research programs he built in the college. We wish him the best in his retirement, which is very well deserved. His sage stewardship has guided the Walton College to national prominence."

Pincus added: "As Doyle’s retirement date approaches, we will celebrate all that Doyle and his wife, Maynette Williams, have meant to us and will wish them a wonderful retirement."

After serving 12 years as dean of the Sam M. Walton College of Business, Doyle Z. Williams, Ph.D., CPA, announced in November 2004 that he would return to the faculty in the fall of 2006. In February 2005, the University of Arkansas announced that the Doyle Z. and Maynette Derr Williams Chair in Professional Accounting had been established in honor of his accomplishments. It was funded by the $300 million gift from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation. Williams was appointed the first holder of the chair, beginning July 1, 2005.

Williams, 64, was appointed dean of the Walton College and the Sam M. Walton Leadership Chair holder at the University of Arkansas in 1993. He is currently dean emeritus and professor.

Under Dean Williams’ leadership, the Walton College has been one of the fastest-rising business schools in the nation. In the 2006 edition of U.S. News & World Report, the Walton College was ranked 24th in the nation among undergraduate public business schools. In 1998, the Walton College received a $50 million gift from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation - the largest gift at the time to a business school. On Jan. 26, 2001, the college officially changed its name to the Sam M. Walton College of Business.

Prior to joining the university, Dean Williams served as the founding dean of the School of Accounting at the University of Southern California, leading the accounting school to be among the top five in the nation. He also served for two years as interim dean of the USC School of Business Administration. He has served on the faculty and as coordinator for the area of accounting at Texas Tech University and was the chairman for the Accounting Education Change Commission from its inception in 1989 to 1993. Dean Williams has authored more than 45 articles, several monographs, and has contributed to more than 10 books.

On July 1, 2003, Dean Williams became vice-chair and chair-elect of AACSB International -- the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. AACSB is an international accrediting body for business schools. He became chair of AACSB on July 1, 2004.

Dean Williams’ honors include receiving Beta Alpha Psi’s National Council Accountant of the Year Award, the California Society of CPAs’ Distinguished Professor Award, the USC School of Accounting’s Distinguished Service Award, the AICPA’s Outstanding Accounting Educator Award, the Federation of Schools of Accountancy Faculty Merit Award, the Academy of Business Administration's National Leadership Award, the American Accounting Association's Outstanding Accounting Educator Award, and the Arkansas Society of CPAs’ Lifetime Achievement Award in Education. In 2002, he received the American Institute of CPAs’ Gold Medal, the institute’s highest honor.

Dean Williams’ prior offices include serving as president of the American Accounting Association, vice president and member of the Board of Directors of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, vice president and trustee for the California CPA Foundation for Education and Research, president of the Educational Foundation of the Texas Society of CPAs, president of the Administrators of Accounting Programs, president of the Federation of Schools of Accountancy, president of the Southwestern Business Deans’ Association, a member of the Advisory Board for the National Commission on Fraudulent Financial Reporting, regent for the Chartered Bank Auditor Program, and chairman of Arkansas Quality Awards Inc.

Dean Williams earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Northwestern State University of Louisiana in accounting in 1960 and his Master of Science and Ph.D. in accounting from Louisiana State University in 1962 and 1965, respectively.