The Arkansas State University Alumni Association will recognize six outstanding graduates as Distinguished Alumni during the 2025 Homecoming celebration. The distinction, considered the association’s highest honor, has been awarded for more than 40 years to alumni who demonstrate excellence in their careers, service to their communities, and devotion to A-State.
This year’s honorees are Christy Swanson Clark of Little Rock, LaGanzie Kale of Jonesboro, Dr. Dale L. Morris of Lakeland, Tenn., Ron Rhodes of Cherokee Village, Joe Slayton of Jonesboro and William “Bill” Stanley of Jonesboro.
“Our alumni set the standard for leadership and service, and these six are shining examples,” said Alumni Association President Natalie Rogers. “We are proud to celebrate their impact and connection to Arkansas State.”
The recipients were chosen by the Alumni Association’s board of directors from nominations submitted by fellow graduates and supporters. They will be recognized during Homecoming weekend, highlighted by an on-field presentation at halftime of the Red Wolves’ football game on Oct. 25 against Georgia Southern.
Clark, a 1992 graduate with a degree in accounting, is controller of Clark Contractors, one of Arkansas’s leading construction firms. She served seven years on the ASU System Board of Trustees, including two terms as chair, helping to guide the system through expansion, strategic planning and the establishment of the state’s first public college of veterinary medicine. She is a 1924 Lifetime Alumni Association member and trustee emeritus for the Arkansas State University System Board of Trustees. She is also a founding member of the A-State Women’s Business Leadership Center, where her time and funding have supported mentoring, service and scholarship opportunities for students.
A 2003 graduate of Arkansas State with bachelor’s degrees in general studies and radio-television, Kale is founder and general manager of KLEK 102.5 FM, Jonesboro’s first and only minority-owned and operated radio station. Since its launch in 2015, KLEK has become a voice for the community, producing programming on health, education, politics, arts and culture and broadcasting live from civic events. Kale has been recognized with numerous honors including the Arkansas Community Service Award, the A-State Excellence in Community Diversity Award, the Governor’s Volunteer Award and the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce Goodwill Ambassador of the Year Award.
A 1970 graduate with a bachelor’s degree in biology, Morris went on to earn his doctorate in optometry from the Southern College of Optometry and established a practice in Forrest City. He served as president of the Arkansas Optometric Association, a trustee of SECO International and president of the Arkansas State Board of Optometry.
Rhodes, a 1970 graduate with a degree in education, has been in real estate business and community development in north central Arkansas for more than 50 years. He is broker/owner of King-Rhodes & Associates, Inc., and a partner in American Land Company, the current developer of Cherokee Village. Rhodes served two five-year terms on the Arkansas State University Board of Trustees, including a term as chair, and was named trustee emeritus in recognition of his service.
Slayton, a 1980 graduate with a degree in marketing, was a punter for A-State football before rising to become president of Alltel Wireless. He helped lead the company through its growth into a national wireless provider before the Verizon purchase of Alltel in 2008, a $28.1 billion transaction. Slayton went on to build Slayton Wireless, which grew to nearly 100 AT&T retail stores in five years, and later founded Alliance Wireless, now AT&T’s third-largest national dealer.
Stanley, a 1989 graduate with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, is senior partner with Stanley & Woodard, PLC, in Jonesboro and has built a legal practice in Arkansas. A four-year letterman on the A-State football team and team captain in 1988, Stanley has been recognized nationally for his work, including listings in Best Lawyers in America, Lawyers of Distinction and National Trial Lawyers Top 100.