55 Notable alumni of Arkansas State University
Updated: June 14, 2026 EliteDegrees
Arkansas State University is ranked #1,573 in the world and #385 in United States by aggregated alumni prominence. Below is the list of 55 notable alumni from Arkansas State University sorted by their wiki pages popularity. The directory includes famous graduates and former students along with research and academic staff. Many individuals affiliated with Arkansas State University won Nobel Prizes for Peace, in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, and Economics.
1. Rob Reep
1988-. (aged 38)
historian
Robert "Rob" Gregg Reep, Jr. is an American historian, filmmaker, and documentary narrator.
2. Mark Scott Ricketts
1955-. (aged 71)
writer
Mark Ricketts is an American comic book writer, illustrator and cartoonist. He has worked for a variety of publishers including McGraw-Hill, Caliber Comics, Chaos! Comics, Mojo Press, Marvel Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Moonstone Books and Image Comics. He won the 2000 Klasky Csupo screenwriting award for his teleplay "Whiskey Dickel, Int'l Cowgirl."
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3. Chris Thyer
1969-. (aged 57)
lawyer
politician
Christopher Robert Thyer is an American lawyer and politician from Arkansas. He is a former United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and a former member of the Arkansas House of Representatives. He is a member of the Democratic Party.
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4. Chuck Malone
1965-. (aged 61)
baseball player
Charles Ray Malone is an American former relief pitcher who played briefly for the Philadelphia Phillies during the 1990 season. Listed at 6' 7", 250 lb., Malone batted and threw right-handed. He attended Arkansas State University.
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5. Robert C. Hinson
military officer
Robert C. Hinson is a retired lieutenant general in the United States Air Force.
6. John Wood
1947-2022 (aged 75)
photography critic
poet
photography historian
university teacher
publisher
John Wood was an American poet, historian of photography, scholar and critic. Wood is Professor Emeritus of English literature and photographic history at McNeese State University, where he founded and directed its MFA in creative writing for more than twenty-five years.
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7. Jerry Rook
1943-2019 (aged 76)
basketball coach
basketball player
Jerry G. Rook was an American basketball player, best known for his success at Arkansas State University. He played one season for the New Orleans Buccaneers in the American Basketball Association (ABA).
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8. Jaylen Bacon
1996-. (aged 30)
athletics competitor
Jaylen Bacon is an American professional track and field athlete specializing in the sprints.
9. Shane Broadway
1972-. (aged 54)
businessperson
politician
Shane Broadway is a former Democratic state legislator, serving in the Arkansas General Assembly from 1997 to 2011 with a focus on education policy. Following an unsuccessful bid for Arkansas Lieutenant Governor in 2010, Broadway served as interim director of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education, and is currently the Vice President for University Relations at the Arkansas State University...
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10. John D. Landers
1920-1989 (aged 69)
military personnel
military aviator
John Dave Landers was a colonel in the United States Army Air Forces. He flew with the 9th Fighter Squadron in the Pacific commanded the 357th Fighter Group and the 78th Fighter Group during World War II. Credited with 14.5 aerial victories, he earned flying ace status in both the Pacific and European theatres.
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11. Michael John Gray
1976-. (aged 50)
businessperson
politician
Michael John Gray is a small business owner and the Woodruff County Judge from Augusta, Arkansas. He represented a rural area of the Arkansas Delta in the Arkansas House of Representatives from 2015 to 2017. Gray served as chair of the Democratic Party of Arkansas from 2017 to 2021. He has been Woodruff County Judge since 2023.
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12. Leroy Harris
1954-2024 (aged 70)
American football player
Leroy Harris was an American professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Arkansas State Red Wolves.
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13. Bryan Hall
1988-. (aged 38)
American football player
Bryan Hall is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle and linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the Arkansas State Red Wolves. Hall signed with the NFL's Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2011, winning Super Bowl XLVII the following year, and was...
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14. Justin McInnis
1996-. (aged 30)
American football player
Justin McInnis is a Canadian professional football wide receiver for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Arkansas State.
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15. D. Price Marshall Jr
1963-. (aged 63)
lawyer
judge
Denzil Price Marshall Jr. is a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas.
16. Tyler Zuber
1995-. (aged 31)
baseball player
John Tyler Zuber is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Miami Marlins organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals, Tampa Bay Rays, and New York Mets. He made his MLB debut in 2020.
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17. Ryan Carrethers
1991-. (aged 35)
American football player
Ryan Carrethers is an American former professional football defensive tackle. He was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL draft. He played college football at Arkansas State.
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18. Earl Bell
1955-. (aged 71)
athletics competitor
Earl Holmes Bell is a retired American pole vaulter. He competed at the 1976, 1984 and 1988 Olympics and won a bronze medal in 1984, placing fourth in 1988 and sixth in 1976.
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19. Jeff Hartwig
1967-. (aged 59)
pole vaulter
athletics competitor
Jeff Hartwig is an American pole vaulter.
20. M. D. Jennings
1988-. (aged 38)
American football player
Melvin Delanie Jennings is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Arkansas State Red Wolves and was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2011.
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21. Kirk Merritt
1997-. (aged 29)
American football player
Kirk Merritt is an American professional football running back and wide receiver for the Houston Gamblers of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Arkansas State.
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22. Alex Carrington
1987-. (aged 39)
American football player
Alex Carrington is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the third round of the 2010 NFL draft. He played college football for the Arkansas State Red Wolves. He was also a member of the St. Louis Rams, and Houston Texans.
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23. Kelcie McCray
1988-. (aged 38)
American football player
Kelcie Jerome McCray is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2012. He played college football for the Arkansas State Red Wolves.
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24. George K. Sisler
1937-1967 (aged 30)
military personnel
George Kenton Sisler was a United States Army intelligence officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.
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25. Don Jones
1990-. (aged 36)
American football player
Don Jones II is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Arkansas State Red Wolves.
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26. Dewarick Spencer
1982-. (aged 44)
basketball player
Dewarick Antwain Spencer is an American professional basketball player who plays for AlKaramah SC of the Syrian Basketball League. Nicknamed "Dee," he is 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) tall and plays both point guard and shooting guard positions.
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27. Chris Odom
1994-. (aged 32)
American football player
Chris Odom is an American professional football defensive end. He played college football at Arkansas State. Odom has also been a member of the Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, Salt Lake Stallions, Washington Redskins, Calgary Stampeders, Houston Roughnecks, and Cleveland Browns. With the Houston Gamblers, he led the USFL in sacks and was named its Defensive Player of the Year...
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28. Derek Newton
1987-. (aged 39)
American football player
Derek Newton is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Houston Texans in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL draft and played for the team until knee injuries halted his career in 2016. He also played for the New Orleans Saints. He played college...
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29. Cleo Lemon
1979-. (aged 47)
Canadian football player
American football player
Cleo Lemon Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the Arkansas State Red Wolves. Lemon was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2001. He was also a member of the San Diego Chargers,...
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30. Karen Stupples
1973-. (aged 53)
golfer
Karen Louise Stupples is an English former professional golfer who played primarily on the U.S.-based LPGA Tour and was also a member of the Ladies European Tour.
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31. Norchad Omier
2001-. (aged 25)
basketball player
Norchad Bascom Omier Rojas is a Nicaraguan professional basketball player, He currently plays for the Cleveland Charge of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Arkansas State Red Wolves, Miami Hurricanes and Baylor Bears.
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32. Buddy Jewell
1961-. (aged 65)
singer
songwriter
Buddy Jewell Jr. is an American country music singer who was the first winner on the USA Network talent show Nashville Star. Signed to Columbia Records in 2003, Jewell made his debut on the American country music scene with the release of his self-titled album, which produced the singles "Help Pour Out the Rain" and "Sweet Southern Comfort". Another album,...
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33. Adrian Banks
1986-. (aged 40)
basketball player
Adrian Gerard Banks is an American-Israeli former professional basketball player and current coach for Unity School. He played college basketball for Northwest Mississippi Community College and Arkansas State University. He was the 2011–12 top scorer in the Israel Basketball Premier League.
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34. George Kell
1922-2009 (aged 87)
baseball player
George Clyde Kell was an American professional baseball player and television sports commentator. He played in Major League Baseball as a third baseman from 1943 to 1957, most prominently as a member of the Detroit Tigers, where he became a perennial All-Star player and won the American League (AL) batting championship in 1949.
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35. Debbye Turner
1965-. (aged 61)
beauty pageant contestant
veterinarian
model
Debrah Lynn 'Debbye' Turner Bell is an American television anchor, veterinarian, talk show host, former beauty queen and winner of the 1990 Miss America pageant.
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36. Bill Bergey
1945-2024 (aged 79)
American football player
William Earl Bergey was an American professional football linebacker who played for 12 seasons, most notably with the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals of the American Football League (AFL) in the 1969 NFL/AFL draft, the year before the AFL–NFL merger was completed and continued to play with the Bengals in...
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37. David Nail
1979-. (aged 47)
singer-songwriter
singer
David Brent Nail is an American singer/songwriter and country music artist. In 2002, he debuted the single "Memphis" from an unreleased album for Mercury Records Nashville. Five years later, he signed with MCA Nashville, for which he has released four studio albums: I'm About to Come Alive, The Sound of a Million Dreams, I'm a Fire, and Fighter plus two...
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38. Rick Crawford
1966-. (aged 60)
business executive
politician
journalist
Eric Alan "Rick" Crawford is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Arkansas's 1st congressional district since 2011. A member of the Republican Party, he was elected to serve as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee for the 119th Congress. Prior to entering politics, Crawford had a career as a rodeo cowboy, musician, radio announcer, and radio station...
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39. J. D. McKissic
1993-. (aged 33)
American football player
Joshua Dobbie McKissic, is an American former professional football running back. He played college football for the Arkansas State Red Wolves, setting the Sun Belt Conference record for most career receptions with 289. McKissic signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in after the 2016 NFL draft. He was also a member of the Seattle Seahawks, Detroit...
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40. Larry P. Arnn
academic administrator
writer
Larry Paul Arnn is an American educator and academic. He has served as the twelfth president of private Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan, since May 2000.
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41. Mike Beebe
1946-. (aged 80)
lawyer
politician
Mickey Dale Beebe is an American politician and attorney who served as the 45th governor of Arkansas from 2007 to 2015. He is to date the last Democrat to hold that office.
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42. Demario Davis
1989-. (aged 37)
American football player
Demario Davis is an American professional football linebacker for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft. He played college football for the Arkansas State Red Wolves. Davis has also played for the Cleveland Browns.
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43. Julia Butterfly Hill
1974-. (aged 52)
motivational speaker
writer
environmentalist
Julia Lorraine Hill, best known as Julia Butterfly Hill, is an American environmental activist and tax redirection advocate. She lived in a 200-foot (61 m)-tall, approximately 1,000-year-old California redwood tree for 738 days between December 10, 1997, and December 18, 1999. Hill lived in a tent near the top of a tree, affectionately known as Luna, to prevent Pacific Lumber...
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44. Rodger Bumpass
1951-. (aged 75)
comedian
television actor
film actor
voice actor
singer
Rodger Bumpass is an American actor. He is a main cast member on the animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants, providing the voice of Squidward Tentacles and several other voices.
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45. Charlie Rich
1932-1995 (aged 63)
musician
composer
soldier
pianist
singer
Charles Allan Rich was an American country singer. His eclectic style of music also blended influences from rockabilly, jazz, blues, soul, and gospel.
46. Dale Alford
1916-2000 (aged 84)
university teacher
ophthalmologist
politician
Thomas Dale Alford Sr. was an American ophthalmologist and politician from the U.S. state of Arkansas who served as a conservative Democrat in the United States House of Representatives from Little Rock from 1959 to 1963.
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47. James W. Pardew
1944-2021 (aged 77)
diplomat
ambassador
James William Pardew Jr. was an American diplomat, international negotiator, military officer, and United States Ambassador to Bulgaria. After serving as a military intelligence officer in the United States Army for 28 years, Pardew entered the arena of international diplomacy with a heavy focus on the Balkans, where he was instrumental in coordinating agreements and peace resolutions, as well as...
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48. Malcolm L. McCallum
1968-. (aged 58)
environmental scientist
Malcolm L. McCallum is an American environmental scientist, conservationist, herpetologist, and natural historian and is known for his work on the Holocene Extinction. He is also a co-founder of the herpetology journal, Herpetological Conservation and Biology. He is a key figure in amphibian biology and his research has produced numerous landmark studies. His work has been covered by David Attenborough,...
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49. John Baine
politician
John Baine is an American politician and a Democratic member of the Arkansas House of Representatives representing District 7 from January 2013 to December 2016. He is a member of the NRA.
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50. John E. Miller
1929-2014 (aged 85)
businessperson
politician
John Elvis Miller was a United States representative and United States Senator from Arkansas and later was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas.
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51. James Johnson
1980-. (aged 46)
Canadian football player
American football player
James Patrick Johnson is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was the starting power forward for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons from 2007 to 2009. He was drafted 16th overall in the 2009 NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls.
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52. Benjamin Harrison
1928-2022 (aged 94)
Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd president of the United States, serving from 1889 to 1893. He was a member of the Harrison family of Virginia—a grandson of the ninth president, William Henry Harrison, and a great-grandson of Benjamin Harrison V, a Founding Father. A Union army veteran and a Republican, he defeated incumbent Grover Cleveland to win the presidency in...
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53. Corey Williams
1980-. (aged 46)
American football player
Corey Williams is an American retired professional basketball player and assistant coach for the Auburn Tigers of the SEC Conference. He is the former men's basketball head coach of Stetson University.
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54. David Johnson
1926-2024 (aged 98)
photographer
photojournalist
David Johnson was the Iowa State Senator from the 1st District and served as assistant minority leader. A former Republican and currently independent, he served in the Iowa Senate from 2003 to 2019 and served in the Iowa House of Representatives from 1999 to 2003.
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55. Sebastian Jacoby
1978-. (aged 48)
curler
quizzer
television personality
Sebastian Peter Heinz Alexander Jacoby is a German quiz player, television personality and former curler. He won gold in the 2008 European Mixed Curling Championship. Since 2013 he has appeared as one of the "chasers" on Gefragt – Gejagt, the German adaptation of The Chase.
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