Click for nomination video
The Arkansas State University Alumni Association recognized its three 2021 Distinguished Alumni in November at the Homecoming game. The honorees are George R. Cotton,
While pursuing his bachelor’s degree in art, Cotton was a leader in the Student Government Association and was elected president of the Black Student Association. After graduation in 1980, he later completed a master’s in political science at A-State. His career as a professional fundraiser has spanned more than 30 years, during which time he has raised more than $600 million while working in advancement at five universities, including Florida A&M, Wake Forest, George Mason and Southern Illinois.
Sr. of Pine Bluff, Rickey L. Miles of Jonesboro, and Dennis Zolper of Jonesboro. Each one has attained an outstanding record of professional and civic achievements, as well as giving loyal support to A-State. This is the 38th year the association has recognized the university’s most distinguished alumni, selected from nominations submitted by the public. A list of previous honorees, along with the nomination form, is
Previously vice chancellor for institutional advancement at the University of Arkansas–Pine Bluff, Cotton recently joined Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting. He also served as senior vice president of development for the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit. Among his many service activities, Cotton has been a member of the A-State Alumni Association board, and president of the Strong-Turner Chapter of the Alumni Association. His commitment as an A-State student and his long, successful career led to his previous selection by the Strong-Turner Chapter to receive its Outstanding Alumnus Award. He also was inducted into A-State’s Legacy Society, which recognizes major donors to A-State. He and his wife Deloris have two adult children, George Cotton Jr. and Malcolm Cotton. Click for acceptance speech
available at AStateAlumni.org/DA. 3 0 – VO I C E S
