Country singer Justin Moore and philanthropist receive honorary degrees at ASU Three Rivers

MALVERN, Arkansas – During their spring graduation ceremonies, Justin Moore and Rodney Allen were awarded the highest honor an institution can bestow: an honorary doctorate.

Moore received concurrent credits for ASU Three Rivers as a senior at Poyen High School during the 2001-02 school year. He enrolled in college for the fall of 2002, but dropped out to join his uncle’s band and head to Nashville to become a country music artist.

With his traditional country sound and captivating live shows, the multi-platinum singer has built a loyal fan base over the past decade. The Poyen, Arkansas native just scored his 12th No. 1 hit. Moore’s No. 1 hits from his 10+ year career include “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. 18 of Mr. Moore’s singles have landed on the country music charts. The Valory Music Co. artist has been nominated multiple times for ACM, ACA, People’s Choice and ACC Awards and has won an ACM Award himself.

In addition to numerous festivals, headlining shows and select direct support dates, Moore also hosted his Bobcat-sponsored Justin Moore Podcast with tour manager JR and interviewed guests such as Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey, country stars Tracy Lawrence, Jon Pardi and Brantley Gilbert, wrestling champion Diamond Dallas Page and ESPN’s Marty Smith. He also recently took on a new role as co-host of 103.7 The Buzz’s morning sports talk show “Morning Mayhem,” where he shares his endless sports knowledge live weekday mornings.

Mr. Moore was 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 helped rebuild the building. Mr. Moore has proven himself to be committed to supporting charitable organizations.

Mr. Moore and his wife Kate have three daughters and a son. Justin enjoys coaching his children’s sports teams.

Mr. Rodney Allen is the former President and Owner of Diamond State Trucking and co-owner of Malvern Country Club. Mr. Allen sold Diamond State Trucking to Birmingham-based PS Logistics in 2020 and remained as General Manager responsible for day-to-day operations.

Mr. Allen has served on the College’s Board of Trustees/Board of Visitors since 2015 and was reappointed to a second term by Governor Asa Hutchinson in 2022. During his tenure, Mr. Allen has served as Secretary, Vice Chair and Board Chair. He was instrumental in the institution’s 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 when it comes to giving back to his community, which includes ASU Three Rivers. Mr. Allen donated $75,000 to the college for the purchase of the historic Ritz Theater. This was the catalyst for the theater’s restoration for use by the community and college. The theater renovation is scheduled for completion in January 2025. Mr. Allen also donated $11,000 to have the James Hayes hand-blown glass chandelier made and installed for the Arts and Sciences Building foyer. He has also been a major sponsor of all of the foundation’s fundraising efforts for the college. He also donates 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 to give back to the community. There are some causes I have helped with that I don’t mind if no one knows about.”

Students at ASU Three Rivers can trace Rodney Allen’s personal journey. Mr. Allen took courses at the Metropolitan Vocational and Technical Institute in Little Rock but never graduated. The Malvern native bought his first business, a dry cleaner, at age 19. Six years later, Allen sold the business and took a job in the shop of a trucking company, working on the trucks and repairing tires. In 2001, he bought the trucking company he worked for and turned it into what is now Diamond State Trucking.

ASU Three Rivers Chancellor Dr. Steve Rook presented Mr. Justin Cole Moore and Mr. Rodney Allen with honorary degrees of Associate of Applied Science in General Technology.