The following is a list of notable University of Memphis people, including alumni, notable faculty members and administrators, and others affiliated with the University of Memphis. Notable alumni Government, public service, and public policy Rex Armistead – private detective, investigator for the defunct Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission and the Arkansas Project Arthur Barclay (born 1982) – politician who has represented the 5th Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly since 2016 Thomas G. Carpenter – former President of the University of Memphis Robert N. Clement – former U.S. Congressman Bernice Donald – judge, United States district court Bob Fisher, president of Belmont University since 2000. John Ford – Tennessee politician Tre Hargett- Secretary of State, Tennessee Willie Herenton – Mayor, City of Memphis Ed Jackson – Republican state senator James F. Kyle – State Senator, Tennessee Legislature David Lillard – Tennessee state treasurer since 2009 Ed McAteer – leader of the Christian right and founder of the Religious Roundtable; attended but did not graduate Viola Harris Mcferren – civil rights activist Curtis S. Person Jr. – former State Senator, Tennessee Legislature Van B. Poole (Class of 1958) – former member of both houses of the Florida Legislature Frank Scott Jr., current mayor of Little Rock, AR J. Millard Smith – former President of the University of Memphis Jim Strickland – mayor of Memphis Fred Thompson – actor and former U.S. Senator Literature, arts, and media Dixie Carter – actress Kellye Cash – Miss America 1987 Eric Jerome Dickey – author John Dye – actor Johanna Edwards – bestselling novelist Galen Fott — director and animator Brian A. Hopkins - award-winning author Barbara Walker Hummel – Miss America 1947 Jason Isbell – recording artist and songwriter, member of The 400 Unit and Drive-By Truckers Michael Jeter - actor Dickey Lee – recording artist and songwriter Terry Manning – music producer, photographer Les McCurdy - Stand Up Comedian, producer, owner McCurdys Comedy Theatre & Humor Institute Sarasota Fl. Est. 1988 Gary Parrish – sports columnist, radio host and television analyst Edmund Warren Perry Jr. – writer William Sanderson – actor Stella Stevens — actress J. Karen Thomas – actress (Drop Dead Diva, Nashville) Pat Kerr Tigrett – fashion designer Trenyce – singer, American Idol finalist Cara Notestine - Photographer Business Melissa Arnoldi – President of Technology and Operations, AT&T Martin Belz – President of Belz Enterprises William Dunavant – Chairman of