Little Rock, Ark. – At the 2026 LIFE Awards Luncheon held at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Economics Arkansas presented its Leadership in Free Enterprise Award to two prominent Arkansas business leaders. Walter E. Hussman, chairman of WEHCO Media Inc., and R. Madison Murphy, chairman of Murphy USA Inc. and president of The Murphy Foundation, were recognized for their long‑standing commitment to free‑market principles and economic education.
Promoting economics education in schools
Economics Arkansas, a nonprofit dedicated to providing pre‑K‑12 schools with resources to teach economics, personal finance, and the free‑enterprise system, highlighted its mission to make economics a practical life skill. “Our vision is that every student in Arkansas will understand economics, not as an academic subject, but as an essential lifestyle, and we start that work with teachers,” said Lorrie Trogden, board chair of Economics Arkansas and CEO of the Arkansas Bankers Association.
Hussman’s contributions
Hussman is noted for reviving the Arkansas Democrat‑Gazette in 1991 after WEHCO Media purchased the assets of the defunct Arkansas Gazette. He also founded the Center for Integrity in News Reporting in 2024, an organization that honors news reporting that exemplifies objectivity, fairness, and impartiality. “His moral compass in business and in life has been his guide, which recently led him to start the Center for Integrity in News Reporting,” said Keith Jackson, founder and president of Positive Atmosphere Reaches Kids.
Hussman emphasized the importance of free‑market economics, stating, “Free‑market economics is very important to the future of our democratic republic.” He expressed gratitude for the award, noting the organization’s long history of impactful work.
Murphy’s leadership
Murphy has served as chairman of Murphy USA Inc. since 2013. Former judge Jim Andrews praised Murphy’s intuitive problem‑solving and “plain old country folk sensibilities,” noting the respect he commands in boardrooms.
Murphy stressed that economic education is about more than theory. “It’s not simply about understanding economics; it’s about understanding opportunities, and preparing young people to take advantage of it,” he said.
Celebrating educators
The luncheon also highlighted the achievements of local teachers. Lisa Taylor, a fifth‑grade teacher from Springdale Public Schools, was named the 2026 National Elementary Economics Teacher of the Year by the National Association of Economics Educators. “Taylor represents the kind of educator who makes this work possible every day. She brings economics to life for students, helping them connect what they learn in a classroom to the world around them,” said Phillip Carlock, board president of Economics Arkansas and interim superintendent of the Pine Bluff School District.
The award ceremony underscored the vital role of community leaders and educators in fostering a free‑enterprise mindset among Arkansas’s youth.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
