55 Notable alumni of
Arkansas State University
Updated:
Arkansas State University is 985th in the world, 361st in North America, and 339th in the 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.
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Julia Butterfly Hill
- Occupations
- writerenvironmentalistmotivational speaker
- Biography
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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 Company loggers from cutting it down. She ultimately reached an agreement with the lumber company to save the tree. Hill is the author of the book The Legacy of Luna (2000) and co-author of One Makes the Difference.
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Sebastian Jacoby
- Enrolled in Arkansas State University
- Studied economics
- Occupations
- television personalitycurlerquizzer
- Biography
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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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Rodger Bumpass
- Occupations
- singeractorcomediantelevision actorfilm actor
- Biography
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Rodger Bumpass is an American actor. He is known for his role as Squidward Tentacles on the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants. He voices several other characters on the show as well, including the purple doctor fish and various anchovies.
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Charlie Rich
- Occupations
- country singersinger-songwritermusiciancomposersoldier
- Biography
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Charles Allan Rich was an American country singer. His eclectic style of music also blended influences from rockabilly, jazz, blues, soul, and gospel.
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Demario Davis
- Occupations
- American football player
- Biography
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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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Mike Beebe
- Occupations
- lawyerpolitician
- Biography
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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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J. D. McKissic
- Occupations
- American football player
- Biography
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Joshua Dobbie McKissic is an American 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 has also been a member of the Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, and Washington Football Team / Commanders.
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David Nail
- Occupations
- singer-songwritersinger
- Biography
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David Brent Nail is an American country music artist and the frontman of David Nail & The Well Ravens. 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 extended plays, 1979 and Uncovered. The albums have produced seven chart entries on Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay, including two that have reached No. 1: "Let It Rain" (featuring Sarah Buxton) and "Whatever She's Got", plus the top 10 hit "Red Light".
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Larry P. Arnn
- Born in
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United States - Occupations
- academic administratorwriter
- Biography
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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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Rick Crawford
- Enrolled in Arkansas State University
- In 1996 graduated with Bachelor of Science in agribusiness
- Occupations
- politicianjournalistbusiness executive
- Biography
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Eric Alan "Rick" Crawford is an American politician, author, businessman, and Army veteran 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.
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Bill Bergey
- Occupations
- American football player
- Biography
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William Earl Bergey was an American professional football linebacker who played for 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), most notably with the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football for the Arkansas State Red Wolves. 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 the NFL until 1973. Bergey then signed with the Eagles the following year, where he played seven seasons until retiring in 1981.
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Debbye Turner
- Enrolled in Arkansas State University
- Studied in 1991
- Occupations
- modelbeauty pageant contestantveterinarian
- Biography
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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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George Kell
- Occupations
- baseball player
- Biography
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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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Buddy Jewell
- Occupations
- singersongwriter
- Biography
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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, Times Like These, followed in 2005.
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Cleo Lemon
- Occupations
- Canadian football playerAmerican football player
- Biography
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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 2002. He was also a member of the San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens, and Toronto Argonauts.
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Adrian Banks
- Occupations
- basketball player
- Biography
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Adrian Gerard Banks is an American-Israeli professional basketball player for Bnei Herzliya of the Israeli Basketball Premier League. 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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Karen Stupples
- Occupations
- golfer
- Biography
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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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David Johnson
- Occupations
- American football player
- Biography
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David Johnson is a former American football tight end and fullback. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the seventh round (241st overall) of the 2009 NFL draft. He played college football for Arkansas State, where he was twice awarded All-Sun Belt Conference honors. Johnson was also a member of the San Diego Chargers.
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Derek Newton
- Occupations
- American football player
- Biography
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Derek Newton is an American former professional football offensive tackle. 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 football at Arkansas State, and Hinds Community College before that.
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Norchad Omier
- Years
- 2001-.. (age 24)
- Occupations
- basketball player
- Biography
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Norchad Bascom Omier Rojas is a Nicaraguan college basketball player for the Baylor Bears of the Big 12 Conference. He previously played for the Arkansas State Red Wolves of the Sun Belt Conference and for the Miami Hurricanes of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
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Chris Odom
- Occupations
- American football player
- Biography
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Chris Odom is an American football defensive end who is a free agent. 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 in 2022.
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Kelcie McCray
- Occupations
- American football player
- Biography
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Kelcie Jerome McCray is an American former professional football safety. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2012. He played college football at Arkansas State.
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Dewarick Spencer
- Occupations
- basketball player
- Biography
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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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Don Jones
- Occupations
- American football player
- Biography
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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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M. D. Jennings
- Occupations
- American football player
- Biography
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Melvin Delanie Jennings is an American former professional football safety. He played college football at Arkansas State and was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2011.
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George K. Sisler
- Occupations
- military personnel
- Biography
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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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Alex Carrington
- Occupations
- American football player
- Biography
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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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Corey Williams
- Occupations
- American football player
- Biography
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Corey Williams is a former American football defensive tackle. He was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the sixth round of the 2004 NFL draft. He played college football at Arkansas State.
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Kirk Merritt
- Occupations
- American football player
- Biography
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Kirk Merritt is an American professional football running back and wide receiver for the Houston Roughnecks of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Arkansas State.
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Earl Bell
- Occupations
- athletics competitor
- Biography
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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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Jeff Hartwig
- Occupations
- pole vaulterathletics competitor
- Biography
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Jeff Hartwig is an American pole vaulter.
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James W. Pardew
- Enrolled in Arkansas State University
- Graduated with Bachelor of Science in journalism
- Occupations
- diplomatambassador
- Biography
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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 heading major State Department programs such as the Bosnian Train-and-equip program.
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Ryan Carrethers
- Occupations
- American football player
- Biography
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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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Benjamin Harrison
- Biography
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Benjamin Leslie Harrison was an officer in the United States Army who contributed to the tactics of modern airmobile warfare involving the integration of helicopters with infantry and armor forces for both rapid deployment and subsequent support. General Harrison was an early advocate, theorist and practitioner of these tactics, commonly referred to as "air assault." They are analogous to the revolutionary use of armor and air support with infantry in blitzkrieg warfare in early World War II, and are critical to modern military doctrine as practiced in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.
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Dale Alford
- Occupations
- ophthalmologistpoliticianuniversity teacher
- Biography
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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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Tyler Zuber
- Occupations
- baseball player
- Biography
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John Tyler Zuber is an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Kansas City Royals and Tampa Bay Rays.
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D. Price Marshall Jr
- Occupations
- lawyerjudge
- Biography
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Denzil Price Marshall Jr. is a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas.
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Justin McInnis
- Occupations
- American football player
- Biography
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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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Leroy Harris
- Occupations
- American football player
- Biography
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Leroy Harris is an American former 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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Bryan Hall
- Occupations
- American football player
- Biography
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Bryan Hall is a former American football linebacker. In 2011, he signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent. He played College football at Arkansas State. He has also been a member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Toronto Argonauts of the CFL.
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John D. Landers
- Occupations
- military personnelmilitary aviator
- Biography
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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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Michael John Gray
- Occupations
- businesspersonpolitician
- Biography
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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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Jerry Rook
- Occupations
- basketball coachbasketball player
- Biography
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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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Jaylen Bacon
- Occupations
- athletics competitor
- Biography
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Jaylen Bacon is an American professional track and field athlete specializing in the sprints.
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Shane Broadway
- Occupations
- businesspersonpolitician
- Biography
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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 System in Little Rock.
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Robert C. Hinson
- Occupations
- military officer
- Biography
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Robert C. Hinson is a retired lieutenant general in the United States Air Force.
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James Johnson
- Occupations
- Canadian football playerAmerican football player
- Biography
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James Johnson is an American former professional gridiron football player.
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Malcolm L. McCallum
- Occupations
- environmental scientist
- Biography
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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, Discover Magazine, and other media outlets.
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John Wood
- Occupations
- historian
- Biography
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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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Mark Scott Ricketts
- Occupations
- writer
- Biography
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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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Chris Thyer
- Occupations
- lawyerpolitician
- Biography
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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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Chuck Malone
- Occupations
- baseball player
- Biography
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Charles Ray Malone is a 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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John Baine
- Born in
- United States
- Occupations
- politician
- Biography
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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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John E. Miller
- Occupations
- businesspersonpolitician
- Biography
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John Eldon Miller was an American politician and businessman.
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Rob Reep
- Occupations
- historian
- Biography
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Robert "Rob" Gregg Reep, Jr. is an American historian, filmmaker, and documentary narrator.
