Dr. Bill Hardgrave is an internationally recognized expert in radio frequency identification (RFID) technology who has progressed through the ranks of academia to become the president of the University of Memphis.
But he’s still the same person who grew up seven miles from the nearest paved road in rural Johnson County and arrived at Arkansas Tech University seeking access to a better life through higher education.
“I didn’t know it at the time, but looking back it was probably the most transformational time of my life,” said Hardgrave when asked about his experience as an undergraduate student at ATU. “For somebody who didn’t know anything about college, the experience I had here and the education I received here set the foundation for everything else I’ve accomplished. I don’t know where I would be or what I would have done without this foundation, both from the education side and the experience.”
Hardgrave received the highest honor his alma mater may bestow upon an individual when he was inducted into the ATU Hall of Distinction under the Distinguished Alumnus category during spring 2026 commencement at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville.
“It means so much because of the tremendous individuals who came before me and the tremendous individuals who will come after me,” said Hardgrave. “I’m not sure I belong in this group. Certainly, when I was a student here, I never thought I would be a distinguished alumnus from this great institution. It means more than I can put into words because it was unexpected and certainly not something I ever thought would have happened.”
Hardgrave was a first-generation high school graduate among a class of 23 seniors at Hartman High School. He attended Arkansas Tech University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science in 1987.
After earning his Master of Business Administration degree with an emphasis in computer information systems from Missouri State University and his Doctor of Philosophy degree from Oklahoma State University, Hardgrave joined the faculty at the University of Arkansas. Over the span of 17 years in Fayetteville, he established and directed the University of Arkansas RFID Research Center (2005-10) and was the Bradberry Chair in Information Systems in the Sam M. Walton College of Business (2001-10).
Hardgrave went on to serve as dean of the Harbert College of Business (2010-17) and provost and senior vice president for academic affairs (2018-22) at Auburn University before taking office as the 13th president at the University of Memphis on April 1, 2022.
Under his leadership, the University of Memphis has maintained its distinction as a Carnegie R1 institution by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
Founded in 1912, the University of Memphis has an enrollment of 19,652 students, a workforce of 2,500 employees — including more than 1,000 full-time faculty members — and an annual operating budget of $478 million.
Hardgrave shared his life’s story with Arkansas Tech students during a speaking engagement hosted by the ATU College of Business and Economic Development in October 2023.
“Life is not scripted,” Hardgrave told the ATU students. “Life is a series of unpredictable opportunities. Take advantage of those opportunities.”
