• Ph.D. in Plant Physiology (Weed Science), Purdue University, 1972
• M.S. in Agronomy (Weed Science), University of Arkansas, 1966
• B.S. in Agronomy, University of Arkansas, 1964
• Associate in Agriculture, Arkansas Polytechnic College, 1962

• 1995 - Named Elms Farming Richard S. Barnett, Jr. Chair for Weed Science
• 1994 - Present - University Professor of Agronomy (Weed Science), University of Arkansas
• 1983-94 - Professor of Agronomy (Weed Science), University of Arkansas
• 1980-83 - Associate Professor of Agronomy (Weed Science), University of Arkansas
• 1976-80 - Assistant Professor of Agronomy (Weed Science), University of Arkansas
• 1972-76 - Research Associate in Agronomy (Weed Science), University of Arkansas
• 1966-72 - Research Assistant (full-time) in Botany and Plant Pathology (Weed Science), Purdue University
• 1964-66 - Graduate Assistant (half-time) in Agronomy, University of Arkansas

Current Appointment: 30 % Teaching, 55 % Research, 15 % Extension/Service

• CSES 2003 - Introductory Weed Science
• CSES 2013 - Pest Management
• CSES 462V - Agronomy Internship
• CSES 4133 - Weed Identification, Morphology, and Ecology

Research objective is to foresee future weed problems in Arkansas soybean, wheat, and corn. Major research areas include,

• Developing knowledge on weed biology and relating this information to determine weed competitiveness and determining cultural and chemical systems of control
• Continuing to provide research data such as weed interference, parameters influencing control, and influence of weed seed production on weed seedbank needed for further refinement of weed management strategies
• Refining tank-mix herbicide combinations for improved weed control
• Evaluating weed management strategies to improve weed control and crop yields.

Graduate Students: Dr. Oliver has directed 36 M.S. and 22 Ph.D. graduate students

Professional Memberships:

• Weed Science Society of America (WSSA)
• Southern Weed Science Society (SWSS)
• Arkansas Crop Protection Association (ACPA)
• CAST

Current Service Area

Past president:

• Arkansas Crop Protection Association (ACPA)
• Southern Weed Science Society (SWSS)
• Weed Science Society of America (WSSA)

Presently member of WSSA-Endowment Fund, SWSS-Newsletter Information , Bumpers College-Farm Operations, and Crop Soil and Environmental Sciences Department-Curriculum and Farm Committees.

• 1982 - Outstanding Researcher Award, Arkansas Association of Cooperative Extension Specialists
• 1982 - Outstanding Young Weed Scientist, Southern Weed Science Society
• 1986 - Outstanding Teacher, Weed Science Society of America
• 1986 - Agriculture Recognition Award, Ciba-Geigy
• 1989 - John W. White Outstanding Teaching Award, College of Agriculture and Home Economics
• 1993 - Fellow, Weed Science Society of America
• 1994 - Distinguished Service Award for Academia, Southern Weed Science Society
• 1995 - Weed Scientist of the Year, Southern Weed Science Society
• 1997 - John W. White Outstanding Research Award, Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences
• 1997 - Faculty Distinguished Achievement Award for Teaching & Research, Arkansas Alumni Association
• 1998 - Award of Excellence, University of Arkansas Teaching Academy
• 1999 - Teaching Excellence Award, New Greek Council, University of Arkansas
• 2000 - Educator of the Year, Southern Weed Science Society
• 2002 - Spitze Land Grant University Faculty Award for Excellence, Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences
• 2002 - Arkansas Leader of the Year for Service to Agriculture, Progressive Farmer Magazine
• 2003 - Greek life Fraternity (AGR) Adviser Award, University of Arkansas
• 2004 - Jack G. Justus Endowment Award for Teaching Excellence, Dale Bumpers College of Agriculture, Food, and Life Sciences
• 2007 - Awarded Imhoff University Wide Outstanding Teaching and Student Mentoring Award

• Norworthy, J.K., G. Griffith, R.C. Scott, K. Smith, and L.R. Oliver. 2008.  Confirmation and control of glyphosphate-resistant Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) in Arkansas.  Weed Technol. 22:108-113.
• Norsworthy, J.K., R.C. Scott, K.L. Smith, and L. R. Oliver. 2008.  Response of the northeastern Arkansas Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) accessions to glyphosate.  Weed Technol. 22:408-413.
• Walker, E.R. and L.R. Oliver. 2008.  Weed seed production as influenced by glyphosate applications at flowering across a weed complex.  Weed Technol. 22:318-325. Walker, E.R. and L.R. Oliver. 2007.  Translocation and absorption of glyphosphate in flowering sicklepod (Senna obtusifolia).  Weed Sci. 56.338-343.
• Stephenson, IV, D.O., L.R. Oliver, and J.A. Bond, 2007.  Response of pitted morningglory (Ipomoea lacunose) chlorimuron, fomesafen, and glyphosate.  Weed Technol. 21:179-185.
• Gray, C.J., D.R. Shaw, J.A. Bond, D.O. Stephenson, IV, and L.R. Oliver. 2007. Assessing the reflective characteristics of Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) and pitted morningglory (Ipomoea lacunosa) assessions.  Weed Sci. 55:293-298.
• Brewer, C.E. and L.R. Oliver. 2007.  Reducing weed seed rain with late-season glyphosate applications.  Weed Techol. 21:753-758.
• Stephenson, IV, D.O., L.R. Oliver, and E.E. Gbur, Jr. 2006.  Identification and characterization of pitted morningglory (Ipomoea lacunosa) ecotypes.  Weed Sci. 54:78-86.
• Bond, J.A. and L.R. Oliver 2006.  Cooperative growth of Palmer amaranth (Amaranth palmeri) accesssions.  Weed Sci. 54:121-126.
• Bond, J.A., L.R. Oliver, and D.O. Stephenson, IV.  2006. Response of Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) accessions to glyphosate, fomesafen, and pyrithiobac.  Weed Technol. 20:885-892.
• Scursoni, J., F. Forcella, J. Gunsolus, M. Owen, R. Oliver, R. Smeda, and R. Vidrine. 2006.  Weed diversity and soybean yield with glyphosate management along a north-south transect in the United States. Weed Sci., 54:713-719.
• Barnes, J.W. and L.R. Oliver. 2005.  Preemergence weed control in soybean with cloransulam.  Weed Technol. 18:1077-1090.
• Stephenson, IV, D.O., J.A. bond, E.R. Walker, M.T. Barapour, and L.R. Oliver. 2005.  Evaluation of mesotrione in Mississippi Delta corn production. 18.1111-1116.
• Bond, J.A., D.O. Stephenson IV, J.W. Barnes, M.T. Bararpour, and L.R. Oliver.  2005.  Diclofop-resistant Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) control in imidazolinone-tolerant wheat.  Weed Technol. 19:437-442.
• Edwards, J.T., and L.R. Oliver. 2004. Emergence and growth of trumpetcreeper (Campsis radicans) as affected by rootstock size and planting depth. Weed Technol. 18:816-819.
• Barnes, J.W. and L.R. Oliver. 2004. Cloransulum absorption, translocation, and efficacy on common broadleaf weed species. Weed Sci. 52:634-641.
• Barnes, J.W. and L.R. Oliver. 2004. Cloransulam autagonizes annual grass control with aryloxyphenoxypropionate graminicides but not cyclohexanediones. Weed Technol. 18:763-772.

Personal Interests:   

• Fishing and Hunting
• Basketball and Football
• Gardening and Carpentry