Ex-dean inducted into hall of fame

FAYETTEVILLE — Doyle Z. Williams, formerly business dean at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, has been selected for induction to the Accounting Hall of Fame.

A five-member, 2020 inductee class will join 101 others chosen for the Accounting Hall of Fame since it was established in 1950 at Ohio State University.

The honor goes to accountants who have made significant contributions to advancing the profession and discipline of accounting, according to the Accounting Hall of Fame’s website. The American Accounting Association, a membership organization, gives out the honors.

Williams led UA’s Sam M. Walton College of Business from 1993 until his retirement in 2005. Williams established the university’s first diversity office and helped secure a $50 million gift from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation, according to the university.

Before joining UA, Williams was the founding dean of the University of Southern California School of Accounting, according to a biography of Williams published with the hall of fame announcement. Williams is described in the announcement as having served as chairman of the Accounting Education Change Commission from 1989-93. The group is described as having influenced “many curriculum advances.”

In 2002, Williams received the Gold Medal for Distinguished Service from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

The inductees will be honored in August in Atlanta at the annual meeting of the American Accounting Association.