Arkansas PBS > Engage > Pressroom > AETN atrium to be dedicated to late director Weatherly Dec. 4
Posted 26 Nov 2018
The Arkansas Educational Television Network Commission will dedicate the AETN atrium to late director Allen Weatherly in a ceremony and reception Tuesday, Dec. 4, at 2 p.m. at the network headquarters, 350 South Donaghey Ave., Conway.
"Allen was a champion of education, entertainment and learning through public media for more than 30 years," AETN Commission Chair Annette Herrington said. "He led the network for 16 years and was a respected leader, colleague and friend.
"Public media has lost one of its greatest advocates, and we hope that this dedication will help his memory live on."
The dedication will include remarks by former Sen. David Pryor and a message from PBS President Paula Kerger. The public is invited, and refreshments will be served.
With a special interest in the importance of history, culture and heritage, Weatherly worked to provide more useful services to the people of Arkansas. During his tenure the network: increased education services to the state, including online professional development for educators; helped produce programming and training for the network's Ready To Learn service; archived testimonies from Arkansas World War II veterans in the innovative outreach project "In Their Words;" won multiple awards for local productions; was honored by the American Psychological Association as one of the five best places to work in the United States; and received the Arkansas Governors Work-Life Balance Award for three consecutive years.
Weatherly was dedicated to impacting learning and student achievement in Arkansas, both through trusted PBS programs and educational outreach. He often referenced his hero, Mister Fred Rogers, who said "Anyone who does anything to help a child in his life is a hero to me." This statement is a testament to Weatherly's character and heart.
In 2008, Weatherly was selected as Arkansas Citizen of the Year by Scottish Rite in Little Rock. In 2010, he was elected in a nationwide vote to a second 3-year term as a member of the board of directors for the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). In addition to service on the board at large, he was a member of the PBS Board Executive Committee and chairman of the PBS Station Services Committee. He also served as professional vice-chair of the PBS Board.
He served on two Community Service Grant review panels for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and also held leadership positions with the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA) and the Organization of State Broadcast Executives (OSBE).
Prior to joining AETN, Weatherly worked with Ozarks Public Television in Springfield, Missouri, from 1980 to 1993, progressing from a development associate to director of broadcasting.
The Arkansas Educational Television Network is Arkansas's only statewide public media network, which enhances lives by providing lifelong learning opportunities for people from all walks of life. AETN delivers local, award-winning productions and classic, trusted PBS programs aimed at sharing Arkansas and the world with viewers through the distinct channels AETN PBS, AETN Create, AETN PBS KIDS, AETN World and AETN AIRS on SAP. Audiences can also watch on several digital platforms, and members with AETN Passport have extended on-demand access to a rich library of public television programming. AETN depends on the generosity of Arkansans and the State of Arkansas to continue offering quality programming. Additional information is available at aetn.org. AETN is broadcast on KETS (Little Rock), KEMV (Mountain View), KETG (Arkadelphia), KAFT (Fayetteville), KTEJ (Jonesboro) and KETZ (El Dorado).