JBU Dedicates Soderquist College of Business

John Brown University students, faculty, staff and guests gathered Wednesday for the official dedication of its business college to former Wal-Mart Stores Inc. executive Don G. Soderquist.

The ceremony, which was attended by Soderquist and his family, included the unveiling of a plaque honoring him that will hang near the college entrance.  

Soderquist was a leader at Walmart for more than 20 years, serving as chief operating officer and senior vice chairman during a period when the retail chain grew to become the largest in the world and was known as “the keeper of the culture” after founder Sam Walton died, according to a news release from JBU.

He was a 2010 inductee of the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame and founded the Soderquist Center for Leadership and Ethics at private Christian college JBU.

Soderquist also served on the JBU board of trustees from 1982 to 2009, including a tenure as chairman from 1991 to 2002, and is now a trustee emeriti.

The Donald G. Soderquist College provides Christ-centered business education that prepares people to honor God and serve others by developing their intellectual, spiritual and professional lives, according to the news release.