BATESVILLE, Arkansas — Lyon College will honor four outstanding alumni during the 2025 Lyon College Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Banquet at 5:45 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, in Patterson Dining Hall in Edwards Commons on the Lyon College campus, 2300 Highland Rd., Batesville.
This year’s inductees include Dr. Melissa Hicks ’78 (volleyball), Jonathan Donaldson ’08 (men’s basketball), Zachary Wallace ’10 (baseball), and Jordan Layrock ’15 (men’s basketball).
“We are proud to recognize these exceptional former student-athletes who have excelled in competition, in leadership, and in life,” said Lyon College Director of Athletics Kevin Jenkins. “Each honoree represents the best of Lyon College and the lifelong values of dedication, teamwork, and service.”
Dr. Melissa Hicks, ’78
Dr. Hicks, of Asheville, North Carolina, earned a Bachelor of Arts in biology and chemistry from Lyon College and completed her Doctor of Medicine degree at the University of Missouri School of Medicine in 1984. Since 1987, Dr. Hicks has served as a faculty physician for the Mountain Area Health Education Center and was the founding residency director for the MAHEC Transitional Year Residency Program from 2020 to 2023. She continues her service as a core faculty member. She received the Faculty Teaching award from MAHEC in 1990 and 2012 and during the 1990s served as an invited speaker and board member for the North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians.
An engaged community leader, Dr. Hicks has been deeply involved with the Western North Carolina AIDS Project, serving on its education committee and board of directors, and as past board president. She served as an elder for two terms for Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, and served on several committees.
Dr. Hicks played basketball at Lyon one year (1975-1976), but found her passion on the volleyball court, playing from 1975-1978 for Coach Van Compton and earning All-AWISA Honorable Mention in 1977. She has remained competitive, playing “pick-up” sand volleyball every week until 2013. She played many years in women’s and co-ed softball, and has competed in 5K and half-marathons, the last in 2019. She currently competes on a church-sponsored team in a recreational co-ed softball league.
Jonathan Donaldson, ’08
Donaldson, of Beebe, earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration and was a key contributor on the Scots men’s basketball team. He finished his career with 1,748 points, 276 assists, and 141 steals, adding his name to the Lyon College record book top 10 in all three categories. He was named First Team All-TranSouth Conference in 2006 and earned NAIA All-American Honorable Mention honors.
He and his wife, Korri, are parents to two sons, Aims and Atlas. He is employed with Sam’s Distribution. His brother, Jason Donaldson, is a 2007 graduate of Lyon College and a Scots basketball alumnus.
Zachary Wallace, ’10
Wallace, of Siloam Springs, earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration and economics from Lyon College and later completed a Master of Arts in secondary teaching and education from Harding University, and an Education Specialist in educational leadership from Arkansas State University.
A standout on the baseball diamond, he was a three-time TranSouth Scholar-Athlete and All-Conference selection, ranking among the college’s all-time statistical leaders in total bases, slugging percentage, hits, doubles, and runs batted in. He holds Lyon College’s all-time records for on-base percentage and batting average, meeting minimum career at-bat requirements.
Wallace is assistant principal at Siloam Springs High School, where he continues to serve students and families. He and his wife, Emily, have two children, Palmer and Wells.
Jordan Layrock, ’15
Layrock, of Batesville, studied business administration and competed for the Scots from 2012 to 2014 after transferring from Harding University. He earned First Team All-Conference and NAIA All-America Honorable Mention honors in 2014, and represented Lyon in the 2014 NAIA dunk contest. He holds the Lyon College men’s basketball all-time record for career blocks and the two highest single-season block totals.
Layrock has built a successful career in technology leadership at Bad Boy Mowers, where he now serves as vice president of information technology. He is active in his community and church and is a graduate of the Leadership Batesville program. He and his wife, Jordan, are parents to two sons, Jack and Lane.
Cindy Barber, executive director of alumni engagement, said the annual ceremony is a meaningful moment for the Lyon community.
“This event allows us to celebrate excellence and to reconnect with alumni whose accomplishments continue to shape Lyon College’s legacy,” Barber said. “We look forward to welcoming our honorees home.”
For more details and ticket information, visit www.lyon.edu/halloffame.
