Students in the Arkansas Tech University College of Business will benefit from a new freshman engagement program beginning with the fall 2022 semester.
The Loyd Foundation has committed $50,000 over five years to fund the initiative, which will provide guest speakers in the areas of team building, mentorship and leadership while also facilitating opportunities for ATU College of Business seniors and juniors to provide guidance for incoming freshmen.
Dr. Kathy White Loyd of Mountain Home visited the ATU campus in Russellville on Monday, March 7, to sign the agreement and meet ATU business students who will serve as mentors as part of the Loyd Foundation Freshman Engagement Seminar.
“For every step we take, I really do believe we are expected to give back,” said Loyd when speaking to the ATU College of Business students. “We get so much by knowing we are valued. It changes us. You’re all leaders. I encourage you to expand your horizons. Build your network. Do it because it is a good and smart thing to do.”
Loyd holds a bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees from Arkansas State University. She obtained her Doctor of Education degree from the University of Memphis.
A native of Izard County, Loyd was executive vice president for e-commerce and chief information officer at Fortune 500 company Cardinal Health at the time of her retirement.
Loyd also has experience as an educator. She was a member of the information technology faculty at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro and she currently holds a faculty appointment in the Neil Griffin College of Business at Arkansas State. She is founding director of the Women’s Leadership Center at ASU and has served as interim dean for the Griffin College.
In February, Gov. Asa Hutchinson appointed Loyd to the Arkansas Commission on the Status of Women.
“We are grateful to Dr. Loyd and the Loyd Foundation for their support of the ATU College of Business and this important program,” said Dr. Russ Jones, dean of the ATU College of Business. “Our goal is to create an enhanced sense of belonging that will lead to increased academic and personal success for our students. This gift will allow us to pursue and attain those goals in a way that will change lives for the better.”
Learn more about the ATU College of Business at www.atu.edu/business.
