On November 11th, The Peabody Little Rock named Skip Rutherford, dean of the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service, the 2009 recipient of the Duck Walk of Fame award. The award honors those who have worked to revitalize downtown Little Rock and includes previous recipients Doyle Rogers and Dr. Dean Kumpuris.
In a reception held yesterday in The Peabody lobby, Rutherford¹s friends, family and colleagues gathered to celebrate his commitment to Little Rock. Gregg Herning, general manager of The Peabody Little Rock presented Rutherford with a plaque bearing his name, which will be placed in the sidewalk in front of the hotel along Markham Street.
"Skip has always believed this city could be great, and through his work with the Clinton Foundation and later the Clinton School, he has helped make Little Rock a draw for students, tourists, actors, politicians, Pulitzer Prize winners and other esteemed visitors," said Herning. "It is only fitting we leave a lasting impression on the city¹s sidewalk to celebrate the footprint Skip has left on downtown Little Rock."
In 2006, Rutherford became dean of the Clinton School, which is located on the grounds of the William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park. He has served as Chairman of the Board of the Clinton Foundation and supervised the planning of the Clinton Presidential Library. Prior to joining the Clinton School, Rutherford served as executive vice president of Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods, one of the region¹s largest communications
firms. Rutherford coordinated the 40th anniversary commemoration of the 1957 crisis at Little Rock Central High School and continues to plan events that bring people to Little Rock. Rutherford is a 1972 journalism graduate from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He and his wife, Billie, reside in Little Rock and are the parents of three children.
The Peabody Little Rock Duck Walk of Fame began in 2007, modeled after The Peabody Memphis' program, which began in 1996 and has honored Elvis Presley, among others. The 2007 recipient was Doyle Rogers, who built the hotel in which The Peabody resides, followed by 2008 honoree Dr. Dean Kumpuris, who was instrumental in Little Rock's Riverfront Park renovation.