Notable Alumni of University of Central Arkansas

Benjamin Travis Laney 1896–1977

33rd governor of Arkansas

Also attended: Hendrix College, University of Utah

Dale Alford 1916–2000

Ophthalmologist and Arkansas US Representative

Also attended: University of Arkansas, Arkansas State University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Shawn Womack 1972–

Associate justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court

Also attended: University of Arkansas

Brian Stacy Miller 1967–

US District Judge, Eastern District of Arkansas

Also attended: University of Arkansas, Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas, Vanderbilt University

Rick Beck 1956–

Electrical engineer and Arkansas state legislator

Mary L. Good 1931–2019

Inorganic chemist in academia, industry and government

Attended until 1950

Also attended: University of Arkansas

Kris Allen 1985–

Singer-songwriter, American Idol season 8 winner

Gil Gerard 1943–2025

Actor, star of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century

Spouse: Connie Sellecca (Boston College)

Dee Brown 1908–2002

Historian and novelist, author of Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee

Also attended: George Washington University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Arthur Hunnicutt 1910–1979

Actor nominated for Best Supporting Actor Oscar

James Bridges 1936–1993

Film director and screenwriter, two-time Oscar nominee

Jimmy Driftwood 1907–1998

Folk singer-songwriter, wrote The Battle of New Orleans

Also attended: John Brown University

Miller Williams 1930–2015

Poet, translator and university professor

Attended until 1951

Also attended: University of Arkansas, Arkansas State University, Hendrix College

Scottie Pippen 1965–

NBA player, six-time champion with the Chicago Bulls

Child: Scotty Pippen Jr. (Vanderbilt University)

Kayle Browning 1992–

Sport shooter and 2018 World Championships medalist

Jordan Howard 1996–

Puerto Rican professional basketball player

Sibling: Markus Howard (Marquette University)

Monte Coleman 1957–2026

Former NFL linebacker, three-time Super Bowl winner

Mathieu Kamba 1995–

Spanish basketball player

Hayden Koval 1997–

Basketball player for Shinagawa City

Also attended: University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

Tremon Smith 1996–

American football cornerback, Houston Texans

Wes Gardner 1961–2026

Major League Baseball pitcher

Tristan Jackson 1986–

Former Canadian Football League defensive back

Charles Albright 1933–2020

Serial killer known as the Eyeball Killer

Cody Rutledge Wilson 1988–

Founder of Defense Distributed, gun rights activist

Also attended: The University of Texas at Austin