Pine Bluff, AR — The Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation (AGFF) recently inducted Dr. Steve Lochmann, professor of fisheries management and ecology and director of assessment of student learning at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB), into its 2024 Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame. Honorees were recognized during the Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet on Saturday, August 24, at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.
“For three decades, Dr. Lochmann has been a cornerstone of the School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences’ Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries at UAPB, serving as an exemplary model of excellence for both faculty and students,” Dr. Lin Xie, UAPB Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries acting chair and graduate coordinator, said. “His exceptional teaching, groundbreaking research and unwavering commitment to conservation has left an enduring legacy on the field of fisheries science.”
According to Dr. Xie, Dr. Lochmann has mentored many biologists within the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Fisheries Division, including its current chief of staff, Chris Racey, and deputy director, Ben Batten.
“Dr. Lochmann’s passion for conservation has fueled numerous initiatives that have made a tangible difference in the preservation of our state’s natural resources. His contributions have strengthened the bond between our people and the outdoors, ensuring a vibrant legacy for years to come,” she said. “His achievements are a testament to his tireless dedication and unwavering
commitment to the advancement of fisheries science and the preservation of our natural heritage.”
For more than 100 years, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) has worked to conserve the state’s wildlife resources, thanks to people such as our 2024 award winners, Deke Whitbeck, president of AGFF, said.
“We are delighted to be able to celebrate these success stories and are proud to honor the outstanding individuals behind them,” he said.
Established in 1982, the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to supporting the mission of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Whitbeck said. The Foundation works with AGFC to ensure the future of quality hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities across Arkansas.
“Each year, the Foundation hosts the Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet and recognizes men and women from across the state who have been instrumental in expanding the use and enjoyment of Arkansas’s outdoor resources and broadening conservation education,” he said. “Proceeds from the event support the year-around work of the Foundation.”
According to an AGFC press release other 2024 award recipients include: Shawn Daniel, Colonel, U.S. Army (retired) – Darby’s Warrior Support; The Mayfly Project won the Steve Smith Spirit of Giving Award; and the Legacy Award was posthumously presented to Andy Simmons.
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
