LITTLE ROCK (March 25, 2022) – University of Arkansas System President Dr. Donald R. Bobbitt today issued a statement in honor of longtime University of Arkansas contributor Kaneaster Hodges, Jr., who passed away March 23.

A native of Newport, Hodges Jr. is a former U.S. senator and president and board member of the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation, and he is an alumnus of the U of A School of Law. He has served on the Pryor Center Advisory Board, the university’s Board of Advisors, the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century Steering Committee and the Campaign Arkansas Steering Committee, among many others. He was named Volunteer of the Year in 1991 by the university and served as a trustee on the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas from 1980-90, including as chair from 1986-88.

University of Arkansas System President Donald R. Bobbitt on the passing of former UA Trustee Kaneaster Hodges Jr.:

“From serving as city attorney and prosecutor in his hometown of Newport to stepping admirably into the role of interim U.S. Senator and working tirelessly to advance the cause of education through his 10-year term as a university trustee, Kaneaster Hodge’s life and career embodied public service. His impact on Arkansas higher education is truly remarkable, having served as chairman of both the UA Board of Trustees and the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board and as president of the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation. The University of Arkansas is better off for having had him as a student, trustee, volunteer and benefactor. On behalf of the Board of Trustees and the campuses, divisions and units of the University of Arkansas System, I want to extend our deepest condolences to Lindley and the extended Hodges family on the passing of a great man.”