UA Little Rock to Honor Contributions of James Bobo
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will honor James Bobo for his lifetime of support to UA Little Rock during the 18th annual Taste of Little Rock event on April 4.
UA Little Rock’s highly anticipated culinary and social event, Taste of Little Rock, is set for Tuesday, April 4, from 6-8 p.m. at the Jack Stephens Center. The event raises funds for the UA Little Rock Alumni Association Scholarship Fund while introducing guests to some of the best food in the city from the finest restaurants in Little Rock.
“It’s definitely an honor and a humbling experience to represent UA Little Rock at Taste of Little Rock,” Bobo said. “I think learning is a lifelong effort. As long as we are on Earth, we should continue to learn to improve ourselves. I grew up with a single mother and two brothers and a sister. College wasn’t really on the radar, but my mom always wanted us to further our education. I think about kids who are in similar situations, whose families may not have the means to get them to college. That is one of the reasons I support the university, to help raise scholarships and help others get the opportunity to improve their education.”
The event’s honoree has a passion for his alma mater and has given back to support higher education in Arkansas. He served two terms on the Alumni Board of Directors and as a past president. He now serves on the Centennial Campaign Cabinet, helping to lead the university’s largest fundraising effort to raise $250 million by UA Little Rock’s centennial anniversary in 2026.
“Time and again, James unselfishly gives his time and talents to the UA Little Rock Alumni Association,” said Kristi Smith, associate vice chancellor for alumni and development. “When I started back in 2016, he formally began his first term on the Alumni Board of Directors but was involved long before that. Over the years, he has worked tirelessly to increase alumni participation in the Alumni Association to serving on the Centennial Campaign Cabinet. It is a joy to serve alongside him.”
After graduating from Little Rock Central High School in 1973, Bobo attended UA Little Rock for his undergraduate education. He also earned his MBA from UA Little Rock in 2005, having taken classes on nights and weekends through the Executive MBA program. Bobo went to work for Entergy Arkansas in 1978 as a power plant operator. In 1984, he joined Entergy’s nuclear design engineering group as an engineering technician which he credits to the undergraduate courses he completed in UA Little Rock’s Engineering Technology program.
“Once I went back to school and got my MBA, I continued to be promoted to the level of senior staff analyst,” Bobo said. “I reported to the director of customer service at Entergy and managed the customer service budget for the Arkansas Customer Service Organization. My MBA really helped me to improve my critical thinking and analytical skills and move up in the company.”
Bobo would go on to spend 38 ½ years working at Entergy, retiring in 2017. In addition to UA Little Rock, Bobo also serves as chairman of the Little Rock Diamond Foundation, a nonprofit he helped found in 2018 in cooperation with his fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. The organizations work together to provide education and mentorship opportunities for at-risk youth. He also serves as an elder at Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock. Bobo and his wife Rose have four children and 14 children.
General admission tickets for Taste of Little Rock are $75, while tickets for alumni association lifetime members and UA Little Rock graduates within the last five years are $35.
For sponsorship or ticket information, please contact the UA Little Rock Alumni Association at alumni@ualr.edu or 501-916-6438.
