Rust Communications chairman receives award at Jefferson City ceremony

Gary W. Rust, chairman of the board of Rust Communications, is one of 12 people to receive The Missourian Award during a black-tie ceremony Saturday at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City, Mo.

Those selected for The Missourian Award must have made an outstanding contribution to their state or nation in civics, business, arts or politics. Proceeds from the annual event benefit the American Heart Association.

A native of Cape Girardeau, Rust turned a small weekly newspaper with less than 1,500 circulation into a media company that today has 50 newspapers in eight states read by more than 1 million people along with dozens of websites, hundreds of specialty publications and 17 radio stations.

Rust previously served three terms in the Missouri House of Representatives and once ran for U.S. Congress. Before that, he managed a furniture store with his father and brothers.

He was praised for his work with the Missouri Commission on Human Rights, the Missouri State Government Review Commission and his private philanthropy. Rust has also been inducted into the Missouri Press Association Newspaper Hall of Fame.

Rust was described in the ceremony as "a quiet benefactor to both downtrodden individuals as well as to his community's leading institutions."

He was joined at the event by his wife of 55 years, Wendy Kurka Rust, U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, who nominated him, and other family and friends.

Other 2011 recipients included Dr. George Forsythe, retired general and president of Westminster College; former state senator Emory Melton; retired Brig. Gen. Michael B. Pace; and former U.S. congressman Ike Skelton.

Past recipients include Walter Cronkite, George Washington Carver, Thomas Hart Benton, Walt Disney, Harry S. Truman and John Q. Hammons.

Pertinent address:

301 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, MO