Texarkana Chamber of Commerce Honors Texarkana College President Dr. Jason Smith with the Inaugural Truman Trailblazer Award!

Dr. Jason Smith, Texarkana College President with Dr. Robin Hickerson, Texarkana Chamber of Commerce President Credit: Matt Cornelius, Texarkana Magazine Photographer

Every year, the Texarkana Chamber of Commerce hosts an Annual Celebration to recognize community leaders who have made significant contributions in their industry and throughout our community. This year, the keynote speaker was Mr. Truman Arnold who is an alumnus of Texarkana College (1955-1957) and who has excelled as a business owner throughout the years. He also served on the Texarkana College Board of Trustees for over a decade and made a generous donation to establish the Truman Arnold Student Center on our campus. Since his time as a student at TC, Mr. Arnold established several companies including convenience stores, transportation companies, an oil and gas company, aviation company, and also ventured into banking.

Mr. Arnold has not forgotten the impact TC had on his life as a young person. At the Annual Celebration event held on Saturday, January 25th, Mr. Arnold said, “TC was most influential in my formative years, and I will always be indebted for the vote of confidence from my faculty and the inspiration to pursue high ideals!”

To thank Mr. Arnold for his service to the community, the Chamber of Commerce established a new award this year to be given at the Annual Celebration for years to come. The Truman Trailblazer Award will be given in honor of Truman Arnold, a Texarkana legend, as a continuation of his remarkable legacy of visionary leadership, transformative partnerships, and dedication to the Texarkana community. This prestigious award celebrates individuals who embody his trailblazing spirit by showcasing innovative thinking and exceptional leadership in community engagement. Recipients of the Trailblazer Award pioneer new approaches to collaboration, inspire meaningful change, and create lasting impacts through their 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.

It is so fitting that Dr. Jason Smith received this outstanding award for his leadership and vision in carrying out the mission of Texarkana College for the next generation of students and community leaders. CONGRATULATIONS TO DR. JASON SMITH, TEXARKANA COLLEGE PRESIDENT, FOR RECEIVING THE FIRST EVER TRUMAN TRAILBLAZER AWARD AND REPRESENTING TC SO WELL!