LR Public Radio announces $500,000 journalism endowment honoring Judith K. Faust

Little Rock Public Radio has established the Judith K. Faust Endowment for Journalism, a new $500,000 fund created to honor the legacy of an Arkansan whose life was devoted to learning, justice, and community.

The late Judith K. Faust, an instructor emerita at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Social Work, held degrees in journalism, philosophy, and social work. She was a longtime supporter of KUAR and an advocate for civil rights. The endowment, funded by a gift from Faust’s estate, reflects her multidisciplinary approach to improving lives and her belief in the power of truth-seeking and civic engagement, according to a press release.

The endowment will support local reporting initiatives that reflect her values, beginning with one newsroom position and growing to sustain multiple roles in the years ahead. The statement also noted that the endowment ensures that Little Rock Public Radio can continue producing journalism that asks hard questions, highlights differing perspectives, and empowers Arkansans to make informed decisions.

“Judith’s devotion to truth, to knowledge, to the pulse of our shared humanity, was not just evident, it was radiant,” said Amy Freer, Faust’s longtime friend and mentee. “As a writer, a professor, a mind that questioned deeply and cared fiercely, she saw journalism as a sacred thread: weaving clarity through chaos, stitching light into the fabric of public discourse. That her gift now fuels the voices of public radio, voices that seek truth, speak it, and share it, is a legacy as luminous as she was. I am so grateful to have been able to witness lives changing through Judith’s generosity. She is a true inspiration.”

Looking ahead, LRPR’s vision for journalism is rooted in three priorities:

Strengthening local, regional and statewide reporting;
Investing in transparency and accountability; and
Ensuring that fact-based news remains accessible to all.

Housed within the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education, Little Rock Public Radio, home of KUAR FM 89.1 and KLRE Classical 90.5, is a public service unit of UA Little Rock.

University students gain experience by working as interns and part-time staff members who take part in all aspects of KLRE and KUAR operations with a specific focus on news reporting and broadcast production.