Walter Hussman Jr. honored

2004 recipient:
Walter Hussman Jr., publisher
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock
President, WEHCO Media, Little Rock, Ark.

"Walter Hussman is outspoken about his commitment to quality news coverage, and he believes that an emphasis on hard news and investigative reporting will keep his newspapers competitive and profitable," said Jon Segal, president of SNPA and president of the Community Newspapers Division of Freedom Communications.

In presenting the first Mayborn Award to Hussman, Segal said: "He believes that training is imperative for newspaper employees to succeed - and in a bold move one year ago, he made a personal contribution of $1 million to the SNPA Foundation's endowment campaign. He sets the highest standard for future recipients of this award."

Hussman is a third-generation newspaper publisher whose career began in 1970 as a reporter for Forbes magazine. He has lent his leadership talent to 22 arts, civic, educational and professional organizations, and served as chairman or president of seven of these organizations - including SNPA.

He was recognized by the Rotary Club as businessman of the year, received the Hero Award from the Nature Conservancy, and was saluted for his individual contribution to the Humanities.

Hussman's father, Walter Hussman, was publisher of the Camden (Ark.) News from 1949 to 1981. His grandfather, Clyde Palmer, was publisher of the Texarkana (Texas) Gazette from 1909 to 1957.