Lyon College to induct four into Athletics Hall of Fame Nov. 22

Lyon College will honor four alumni during its 2025 Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Banquet at 5:45 p.m. Nov. 22 in Patterson Dining Hall in Edwards Commons on the college campus.

This year’s inductees are: Dr. Melissa Hicks, Class of 1978, for volleyball; Jonathan Donaldson, Class of 2008, for men’s basketball; Zachary Wallace, Class of 2010, for baseball; and Jordan Layrock, Class of 2015, for men’s basketball.

“We are proud to recognize these exceptional former student-athletes who have excelled in competition, in leadership, and in life,” Athletics Director Kevin Jenkins said. “Each honoree represents the best of Lyon College and the lifelong values of dedication, teamwork, and service.”

Hicks, of Asheville, North Carolina, earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry from Lyon and later completed a medical degree at the University of Missouri. A longtime faculty physician with the Mountain Area Health Education Center, she served as founding residency director for the center’s Transitional Year Residency Program. At Lyon, she played volleyball from 1975 to 1978 and was an All-AWISA honorable mention selection in 1977.

Donaldson, of Beebe, finished his Lyon basketball career with 1,748 points, 276 assists and 141 steals, ranking in the program’s top 10 in all three categories. He earned First Team All-TranSouth Conference honors in 2006 and NAIA All-America honorable mention recognition.

Wallace, of Siloam Springs, was a three-time TranSouth Scholar-Athlete and All-Conference baseball selection. He ranks among the program’s statistical leaders in multiple categories and holds all-time records for on-base percentage and batting average. He is assistant principal at Siloam Springs High School.

Layrock, of Batesville, earned First Team All-Conference and NAIA All-America honorable mention honors in 2014 and represented Lyon that year in the NAIA dunk contest. He holds the college’s career record for blocks. Layrock is vice president of information technology at Bad Boy Mowers.

Cindy Barber, executive director of alumni engagement, said the ceremony is a meaningful moment for the college community.

“This event allows us to celebrate excellence and reconnect with alumni whose accomplishments continue to shape Lyon College’s legacy,” she said.