Leighton Wood
Dallas, TX
BSE, Sports Management and Outdoor Leadership (emphasis in marketing)
I chose the U of A, because of tradition. I have more family members that have attended the U of A than anywhere else.
My fondest memories are those of the deep friendships and vast experiences. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would help start a fraternity my freshman year along with 25 other Founding Fathers. Second semester we founded the AR campus Beta Upsilon Chi Christian Fraternity and celebrated the newly started group with a float trip on the Buffalo River.
The most influential figure was Dr. Jeff Murray, now the head of the marketing department in the Sam M. Walton College of Business, is the best teacher I’ve ever had, period! Dr. Murray took a subject I already loved and made it not only more amazing, but showed me how to use it and enjoy it anywhere I go. He has become a good friend as he continues to encourage and challenge me to use my passions to help people and build a career doing the things I love the most.
My favorite tradition is Senior Walk! I love seeing all my friends and family’s names when I go back and walk the campus. Also, can the weather be a tradition? Being from Dallas, I love going back to Fayetteville and seeing the fall colors.
Opportunities I received while at the University, included an amazing opportunity to learn who I was through juggling class, work and everyday life. I learned who I was becoming by exploring the world during my years at the U of A, making lifelong friends and learning through the ups and downs of life. I now know that those experiences helped shape me into the man I am today and I am proud to be an Arkansas alumnus because of it.
I am an Alumni Member and give back. I co-founded of the Dallas Arkansas Young Professionals (DAYP) and right now we are enjoying local watch parties in Uptown and finding ways to connect. I love dreaming BIG and have enjoyed seeing how quickly people are responding to some of our initiatives. Follow us at www.facebook.com/DallasArkansasYoungProfessionals.
I am involved, because my friend Kirk invited me to come to a board meeting one time. When I learned how big the UofA’s presence was here in Dallas and how big it could be, I instantly wanted to help grow the Dallas Alumni Chapter, not just in number but also in how Young Professional Alums can get together in our own backyard to watch games, connect, and build on the value of our common experience.
Now in Texas, I’ve been working almost 3 years with my family’s 5th generation financial planning firm with New York Life. I love that my family has been working with NYL for 125 consecutive years and that I can say I have a Legacy of learning at the University of Arkansas and a Legacy of helping people with my job.
I encourage you to move to Dallas and join the Dallas Arkansas Young Professionals. You’ll be glad you did!
