Walter E. Hussman Jr., chairman of WEHCO Media, Inc., parent company of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, was introduced on Tuesday as the 2019 Arkansan of the Year, Easterseals Arkansas announced at a news conference.
Hussman will be honored for the achievement at a banquet May 9 at the Little Rock Marriott hotel.
The Arkansan of the Year gala annually recognizes a distinguished leader who has given their time, talent and resources to improve the quality of life for Arkansans, Easterseals Arkansas spokeswoman Jillian Jacuzzi said.
Hussman is being honored for his service to the state and his community over the years, Elaine Eubank, the president and CEO of Easterseals Arkansas, said.
“He has been good to Easterseals and has been a consistent donor and supporter of our organization,” Eubank said.
Hussman spoke about the importance of having an organization like Easterseals, saying “we cherish our children and go to great lengths to help them, and Easterseals is probably the greatest organization in America that does that.”
Hussman, a third-generation newspaperman, said the honor was really special to him.
“I never thought I would be named Arkansan of the Year,” Hussman said. “I have always supported Easterseals because I know they are the premier organization in America that helps kids with disabilities. A lot of kids with disabilities will grow up and have productive lives and I am glad this institution helps make that happen.”
Tickets to the gala are $250 and tables are available for purchase. The gala will also include a live auction where attendees can bid on an 18-person suite in the Dallas Cowboys stadium during the Texas A&M vs Arkansas football game.
The money raised from the gala will go the Easterseals general fund.
For more than 70 years, Easterseals Arkansas has been a resource for people with disabilities and their families, according to a news release. The mission of Easterseals is to empower children and adults with disabilities to live, learn, work and play in their communities.
Read Wednesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.