Elston Strong, a 1980 graduate of SAU with a degree in Marketing, was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus this spring at SAU.
“It was a wonderful honor,” said Strong. “It was a great honor to be named a distinguished alum. I was very surprised. I didn’t know I was being looked at for the award.”
Strong currently works as a State Farm agent in Little Rock. He began his career in insurance in January of 1980. In 1985, he earned his Arkansas Insurance License through Insurance Specialty Training of Arkansas.
Strong received the National Quality Award presented by the Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association and the National Association of Life Underwriters. He has been a member of the Agents Training Seminar group that meets annually, and he is a Select Agent and Honor Agent.
As a resident of the state’s capital city, Strong is a mentor at schools and churches and speaks at local Career Day events. He served six years on the Youth Intervention and Prevention Board for youth ages 12-19 at Hunter United Methodist Church. He has served on the board of directors of State Farm Political Action committee, Inc. since 2004. He is currently serving as president of TCZ Management, LLC, a property management company.
Strong is also active as an SAU alum, where he serves on the SAU Alumni Board, a volunteer with the Tailgate Group, and a member of the Alumni Legacy Lane.
“The professors and instructors treated us like family. We were family. The faculty was great with us in the classroom. Then as we got closer to graduation, they provided referrals, and helped me find places to apply and go to interviews. They really helped me get where I am in my career.”
Strong lives in Little Rock with his wife Maybelline. The couple has two grown sons.
“I’m very thankful for this award. I hope students will remember that SAU is the foundation for beginning your professional career. For me, SAU was a wonderful place to begin my career.”
