Dr. Jason Smith receives inaugural Truman Trailblazer Award

At the Chamber of Commerce Annual Celebration on Saturday, January 25, 2025, Texarkana College President Dr. Jason Smith was awarded the inaugural Truman Trailblazer Award given in honor of Truman Arnold; the new award celebrates individuals who embody his (Truman Arnold’s) trailblazing spirit by showcasing innovative thinking and exceptional leadership in community engagement.

The Truman Trailblazer Award was established this year as a new award to be given at the Texarkana Chamber of Commerce Annual Celebration for years to come. Recipients of the Trailblazer Award pioneer are to be honored for new approaches to collaboration, inspiring meaningful change, and creating lasting impacts through commitment to progress and inclusion. This honor stands as a tribute to Truman Arnold’s enduring influence and recognizes those who carry his legacy forward.

Mr. Truman Arnold, an alum of Texarkana College (1955-1957), excelled as an Texarkana USA entrepreneur and business owner throughout the years. He served on the Texarkana College Board of Trustees for over a decade (1970’s-1980’s) and made a generous donation to establish the Truman Arnold Student Center on the TC campus.

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Kudos also to the Texarkana USA Chamber of Commerce for creating this new award to name, claim and bestow honors on leaders in our community who are driving community progress – and to the award’s namesake, Truman Arnold, for his inspiration to excel.