JONESBORO, Ark. (5/11/19) – The same week it was revealed that Arkansas State Athletics posted a school-record 979 all-department Academic Progress Rate (APR), over 40 more student-athletes from the Red Wolves' NCAA intercollegiate sports programs earned their college degrees as Arkansas State University held its 2019 Spring Commencement ceremony Saturday at First National Bank Arena.

The latest graduating class of A-State student-athletes represented 15 of the Red Wolves' 16 sports and also featured 33 individuals who were part of the school-record 232 members of the fall 2018 Athletics Director's Honor Roll. The group helped A-State compile a 3.12 all-department GPA this past fall, which was also an all-time high for the Red Wolves.

A-State continues to graduate its student-athletes at a school-record pace, posting an all-time-best 85 percent Graduation Success Rate (GSR) according to the latest NCAA date (2018).

Representing the sport of baseball in this year's class were Nate Alberius (General Studies), Justin Felix (Criminology), Jesse Kutzke (General Studies), Kyle MacDonald (General Studies), Conrad Ray (Finance & Marketing), Brandon Stuckenschneider (Chemistry Pre Pharm) and Drew Tipton (Business Administration).

The graduates from women's basketball included Madison Heckert (Exercise Science), Jadee Scott-Jones (Electrical Engineering), Starr Taylor (Exercise Science) and Akasha Westbrook (Biological Science and Chemistry), while Ty Cockfield (Communication Studies), Grantham Gillard (General Studies) and Tristin Walley (General Studies) represented men's basketball. Denisyha Waller (General Studies) of the women's bowling team earned her degree also.

Representing football were Kavin Alexander (Creative Media Production), Omar Bayless (Communication Studies), Marvis Brown (Communication Studies), Tajhea Chambers (Sport Management), Kendrick Edwards (Communication Studies), Dahu Green (General Studies), TJ Harris (Exercise Science), Darreon Jackson (Communication Studies), Michael Johnson (General Studies), Kirk Louis (Sport Management), Justin McInnis (Sport Management), Kirk Merritt (General Studies), Nour-Eddine Seidnaly (Communication Studies) and Warren Wand (Sport Management).

Three members of the men's golf team earned their degree, including Matt Cole (Marketing), Trent Jones (General Studies) and Joel Wendin (Business Administration). The women's golf team also featured three graduates made up of Sarah Childers (Electrical Engineering), Beth Ann Compton (Mechanical Engineering) and Aracelly Jimenez Rios (Finance).

Soccer's Kelsey Ponder (Exercise Science) and Anita Detlava (General Studies) and Shelby King (Communication Disorders) were part of the class.

The men's track and field team saw Tiaan Steenkamp (Finance) graduate, while the Women's Cross Country and Track & Field squads were represented by Rebecca Eldien (Marketing Sales) and Andrea Perez (Sport Management). Rounding out the class from volleyball were Kenzie Fields (Exercise Science) and Carlisa May (General Studies).