Alumni Association to honor Clark, Kale, Morris, Rhodes, Slayton and Stanley as 2025 Distinguished Alumni
Honorees are (from left) Christy Clark, LaGanzie Kale, Dr. Dale L. Morris, Ron Rhodes, Joe Slayton and William "Bill" Stanley.
JONESBORO – 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 Saturday, Oct. 25 against Georgia Southern.
Here are highlights about each of this year’s award recipients:
Christy Swanson Clark
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. She and her husband established an endowed scholarship fund to benefit students from Woodruff County and the Delta. Her impact is visible on campus through projects her company completed, including the Embassy Suites Red Wolf Convention Center and the renovation of Wilson Hall. Beyond A-State, she is active in philanthropy, serving on boards for Home for Healing and Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches and supporting Arkansas Children’s Hospital and the Rockefeller Cancer Institute Auxiliary. A cancer survivor herself, Clark has turned her personal journey into a mission of service to others, embodying resilience and generosity.
LaGanzie Kale
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 vital 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 strong advocate for civic engagement, KLEK has been at the forefront of voter registration drives, candidate forums and community discussions. Beyond broadcasting, Kale is active as a deacon at New Life Empowerment Ministries Church and has also been named an A-State “Living Legend” for his service and impact.
Dr. Dale L. Morris
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 successful practice in Forrest City. Over his career, he became a leader in the optometric profession, serving as president of the Arkansas Optometric Association, a trustee of SECO International and president of the Arkansas State Board of Optometry. At the same time, Morris invested in his community, holding leadership roles with the Forrest City school board, chamber of commerce, Rotary and United Way. He has served on the boards of Baptist Memorial Hospital in Forrest City, Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation and Baptist Health Sciences University, helping guide one of the largest health care systems in the Mid-South. A man of deep faith and family devotion, he has been married to his wife Trisha for more than 50 years and is the father of two sons. Morris is a past president of the A-State Alumni Association and remains a loyal supporter of Red Wolves athletics and campus life.
Ron Rhodes
Rhodes, a 1970 graduate with a degree in education, has been a leader in real estate 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, LLC, 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. He is a 1924 Sustaining Life member of the Alumni Association and a member of the Letterwinners Club. Rhodes and his wife Brenda met as students at A-State and have been married for 54 years. A native of Corning, he has been deeply involved in civic life through the Lions Club, as a charter member of the Quad Cities Rotary Club and with the Spring River Chamber of Commerce. He has been honored with the E. Wilson Green Award for community service. His leadership has also extended to health care, education and youth development through work with the Sharp County Community Foundation, hospital foundations and the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch. Known for his love of A-State and dedication to his community, Rhodes has been a trusted advocate for students, alumni and the region he calls home.
Joe Slayton
Slayton, a 1980 graduate with a degree in marketing, was a standout 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. In 2022 he established the Slayton Family Foundation, which provides scholarships at A-State and contributes to numerous charitable causes. His philanthropy includes a significant gift to A-State baseball, resulting in the dedication of Slayton Family Field in 2025. Inducted into the A-State Athletics Hall of Honor in 2021, Slayton also sits on the boards of several companies and continues to mentor young professionals. A life member of the Alumni Association and a supporter of the Red Wolves Foundation, he has been a visible advocate for his alma mater while balancing a successful career in business and service to his community.
William “Bill” Stanley
Stanley, a 1989 graduate with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, is senior partner with Stanley & Woodard, PLC, in Jonesboro and has built one of the most respected legal practices 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. His legal career has included high-profile cases, multimillion-dollar resolutions and recognition as Attorney of the Year for three consecutive years. Stanley has also maintained deep ties to A-State, serving on the Red Wolves Foundation board of directors, the Alumni Association and the Letterwinners Club. He is a 1924 Sustaining Life member and a consistent supporter of scholarships and athletics while also mentoring Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity members and student-athletes. Known for his integrity and generosity, Stanley has served as a role model to generations of A-State students and alumni.
