Thomas W. Hardison (1884-1957) received the Pugsley Bronze Medal for his services in establishing Petit Jean State Park, the first such park in the state of Arkansas. He was bron in Richland, Columbia County Arkansas the sun of Dr. William Harvey and Caroline Peavy Hardison. He attended Hendrix College from 1900 to 1903. He subsequently qualified as a physician, obtaining his medical training in Memphis Hospital Medical College and married Julia Hutto of Springfield Conway County Arkansas in1907. He was also known as author and geologist. He was instrumental in the creation of a state parks system in Arkansas.
Hardison approached his congressman regarding the possibility of federal legislation to establish a Petit Jean Park. The bill was referred to the Committee on Public Lands. Hardison's desire to convince the National Park Service (NPS) to create a national park on the Petit Jean Mountain evolved for himself and others who would join him into a larger commitment: securing state psrks for Arkansas. Hardison served as a member and chairman of the Arkansas State Park Commission and chairman of its park committee from 1945-53.