During the Spring Commencement Exercises, Justin Moore and Rodney Allen were each given the highest honor any institution can give -- an honorary degree.
Justin earned ASU Three Rivers concurrent credit as a senior at Poyen High School during the 2001-02 academic year. He enrolled at the College for the fall of 2002 but withdrew to join his uncle’s band and make his way to Nashville to be a country music artist.
Now, the multi-platinum hitmaker has built a loyal following over the past decade with his traditional country sound and captivating live shows. The Poyen, Arkansas native just notched his 12th No. 1 hit. Over his 10+ year career, Moore’s No. 1 hits have included “Point at You,” “Lettin’ The Night Roll” “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away,” “Small Town USA” and “Till My Last Day,” as well as platinum-certified albums and singles. Mr. Moore has had 18 singles land on the country music charts. The Valory Music Co. recording artist has earned multiple ACM, ACA, People’s Choice, and ACC Awards nominations, as well as an ACM Award win.
In addition to multiple festivals, headline shows, and select direct-support dates, Moore has also been busy hosting his Justin Moore Podcast sponsored by Bobcat with tour manager JR, interviewing guests such as Oscar award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey; Country stars Tracy Lawrence, Jon Pardi, Brantley Gilbert; wrestling champion Diamond Dallas Page and ESPN’s Marty Smith. He also recently took on a new role as co-host on 103.7 The Buzz's morning drive-time sports talk show, "Morning Mayhem," where he spends his weekday mornings dishing out his never-ending sports knowledge on-air.
Mr. Moore has been an active philanthropist, raising millions of dollars for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, The Make-a-Wish Foundation, and the Benton Boys and Girls Club. When his hometown church was destroyed by fire, he stepped up and helped rebuild the building. Mr. Moore has proven that he is dedicated to supporting worthwhile charities.
Mr. Moore and his wife Kate have three daughters and one son. Justin enjoys spending time coaching his children’s sports teams.
Mr. Rodney Allen is the former President and owner of Diamond State Trucking and co-owner of the Malvern Country Club. Mr. Allen sold Diamond State Trucking to Birmingham-based PS Logistics in 2020 and stayed on as general manager overseeing the day-to-day operations.
Mr. Allen has served on the College’s Board of Trustees/Board of Visitors since 2015 and was reappointed by Governor Asa Hutchinson for a second term in 2022. Mr. Allen has served as secretary, vice chair, and chair of the board during his tenure. He was instrumental in the institution joining the Arkansas State University System in 2019. He is always supportive of new initiatives and programs at the College.
Mr. Allen is very generous in giving back to his community which includes ASU Three Rivers. Mr. Allen gave the College $75,000 to purchase the Historic Ritz Theater. This was the catalyst for the restoration of the theatre for community and college use. Completion of the theatre renovation is scheduled for January 2025. Mr. Allen also gave $11,000 for the creation and installation of the James Hayes blown glass chandelier for the foyer of the Arts and Sciences Building. He has also been a top sponsor of all of the foundation fundraisers for the College. He also gives generously to the Make-a-Wish Foundation and other local and national charities. As Rodney said in a 2013 Arkansas Democrat/Gazette article, “I like giving back to the community. There are some causes I have helped with where it would be fine with me if nobody knows.”
ASU Three Rivers’ students can relate to Rodney Allen’s personal journey. Mr. Allen took courses at Metropolitan Vocational and Technical Institute in Little Rock but never finished a degree. The Malvern native purchased his first business, a dry-cleaning shop, when he was 19 years old. Six years later, Allen sold that business and took a job in the shop of a trucking company, working on the trucks and fixing tires. In 2001, he purchased the trucking company where he worked and turned it into what is now Diamond State Trucking.
ASU Three Rivers Chancellor, Dr. Steve Rook, bestowed Mr. Justin Cole Moore and Mr. Rodney Allen the Honorary degree of Associate of Applied Science in General Technology.