The Arkansas Economic Development Commission will be presenting television producer Harry Thomason the first “Arkansas Oscar” at the Friday, April 8, gala at the Governor’s Mansion, celebrating the 10th anniversary of UALR’s School of Mass Communication.

Christopher Crane, Arkansas’s film commissioner, will name Thomason the “2011 Arkansas Film Ambassador” and will interview the film and television producer about his career in an “Inside the Actor’s Studio” format as part of the evening’s program.

“This is a very fitting honor for Harry,” said Dr. Jamie Byrne, director of the School of Mass Communication. “He was one of the earliest proponents of the tax incentive legislation for filmmakers here in Arkansas, and recently shot his latest movie&#151 ‘The Last Ride,’ about the life of Hank Williams&#151 here in the state. We are grateful for all he’s done to promote the film industry in Arkansas.”

RSVP to Fleta Watson at 501-569-3250 no later than 3 p.m. April 1. Tickets for the event are $75 per person and benefit the school’s scholarship fund. Make checks payable to the UALR School of Mass Communication in care of Fleta Watson, Stabler Hall Room 705, at UALR, 2801 South University Ave, Little Rock, Ark. 72204-1099 by
April 1. Attire for the evening will be business or semi-formal dress.

The gala begins with a reception at 5:30 p.m. in the Grand Hall of the Governor’s Mansion, followed by dinner at 6 p.m. In addition to Thomason’ honors, SMC scholars will receive $30,000 in awards. The school will also honor this year’s Meritorious Service Award winners.

“This evening allows us to pause to celebrate all that we have done together and to dream about what the future holds as well as to honor our past,” Byrne said. “We’ve worked together to create cutting-edge programs for mass communicators in all stages of their careers.”

Thomason, who with his wife Linda Bloodworth Thomason created the hit television show “Designing Women,” is native of Hampton, Ark. He has been the recipient of several awards and nominations from the Academy of Television, Arts and Sciences for “Designing Women” and “Evening Shade.”

He also received the Directors Guild of America award for “Designing Women,” the Christopher Awards for “A Shining Season,”the People’s Choice Awards for “The Blue and The Gray,” and the Writer’s Guild of America for “The Hunting of the President.”

For more information about the gala, contact Byrne at 501-569-3392 or jmbyrne@ualr.edu.