Hutchinson recognized by Junior Achievement
Asa Hutchinson can add a new award to his mantel.
The Arkansas governor was presented with Junior Achievement of Arkansas’ Legacy Award at its annual luncheon, held May 11 at the Doubletree Little Rock. The luncheon also marked the 30th anniversary of the organization in the state.
Susanne Brunner of KLRT welcomed a jampacked ballroom of nearly 400 guests to a program that included remarks from Troy Wells, Legacy Luncheon chairman and chief executive officer of Baptist Health; a special appeal by Alec Buddenberg of Conway High School; and the presentation of the 2017 Nelson Summit Award to Iberia Bank by Chad Kauffman, Junior Achievement president.
Organization founder Sheffield Nelson presented the Legacy Award to Hutchinson, who spoke of his humble beginnings on a Gravette farm, his yearlong turn as a child shoe-shine entrepreneur who then sold his business for $25, and the importance of education. He praised Junior Achievement for helping to better the lives of Arkansas students through financial literacy, career readiness and entrepreneurship education. “Junior Achievement makes a difference every day,” he said.
The event garnered $136,000 and gained 45 new classroom volunteers for the agency. “It was our largest event yet,” said Angele Forrest, who in July will take over as Junior Achievement’s central Arkansas board president.