Dr. Noland grew up in Laura, Illinois, during the Great Depression, learning values of hard work, integrity, and honesty. As the eldest of five children, he faced adversity with the loss of two siblings at a young age. He served in the military during WWII, leading his company through a 35% casualty rate.

Utilizing the G.I. Bill, Dr. Noland earned his B.S. and M.S. from the University of Illinois and was the first in his family to graduate college. After obtaining his PhD from Cornell University in 1951, he chose the University of Arkansas over other offers and moved to Fayetteville with his family. They resided there, except for a period from 1955 to 1957 when he worked in Panama on an agricultural mission.

Dr. Noland contributed significantly to animal nutrition and management research in Panama, receiving the "Amador Award" in 1997 and the "Vasco Nunez de Balboa" award in 2009.