ARCC Announces Dr. Jacquiline S. Touba as recipient of the 37th Annual J. Walter Juckett Community Service Award

The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce (ARCC) has announced that the 37th Annual J. Walter Juckett Community Service Award will be presented to Dr. Jacquiline S. Touba. Dr. Touba will be presented with the award at the ARCC Annual Dinner on the evening of Friday, March 6, 2026 at The Sagamore Resort.

With more than 50 years as an artist, Dr. Touba drew on her work as a college professor and her extensive world travels to establish the World Awareness Children’s Museum in Glens Falls, NY. Originally founded in 1985 as the International Arts and Culture Association, the museum now houses over 10,000 pieces of children’s artwork from around the globe and offers opportunities for children and families to explore our diverse world through play and learning. Touba also previously served as board president of NorthCountryARTS and was a key organizer in the development of the Arts District of Glens Falls.

Her community service extended into many service organizations such as the Rotary Club of Glens Falls, Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council (LARAC), the Hyde Collection, the Chapman Museum, and more.

“Dr. Touba has taken her passion for art and education to a whole new level by creating projects and initiatives that have created a ripple effect of opportunities in our greater community,” ARCC President Tricia Rogers. “We are grateful that she has chosen to share her diverse and extensive experiences to inspire many today, and for many years to come.”

The recipient of many awards, Touba was recognized as the New York State Senate "Woman of Distinction” in 2009, an honor bestowed upon her by former New York State Senator Betty Little. In addition, she received the Soroptimist’s Making a Difference for Women award, and the Zonta International Peace Award to name a few.

Touba is a published author with many of her research and writings featured in national and international publications.

J. Walter Juckett was born in 1908 in Mittineague, Massachusetts. With engineering degree in-hand from the military college of Norwich University, he began his career at the Hurlbut Paper Company, where his father, Frank Juckett, served as President.

During the depths of the Great Depression in the 1930s, the Juckett father-and-son team took over active management of Sandy Hill Iron and Brass Works in Hudson Falls, New York, where J. Walter would succeed his father as president through the 1980s.

A pillar of the community, J. Walter was an active participant in many community organizations, including the Mohican Council of the Boy Scouts, The Lake Champlain Cancer Research Organization, The Adirondack Samaritan Counseling Center, First Presbyterian Church of Glens Falls, the Salvation Army, and the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Juckett had a remarkable business career and was a major community leader in his adopted home, the Village of Hudson Falls, and the entire region. His leadership and commitment spanned a wide range of civic, charitable, religious, political, business and educational activities. He was recognized with honors for his work and contributions to the Boy Scouts of America, New York Business Development Corporation, Salvation Army, Norwich University, Presbyterian Church, Hudson Falls Central School and many other organizations. He was a tireless supporter of the arts, having served as a director of the Lake George Opera and a major force in The Hyde Collection Capital Campaign.

After his passing in 1988, the Chamber’s board of directors created the prestigious J. Walter Juckett Community Service Award. Each year, the award is bestowed upon a deserving honoree, who demonstrates a fierce commitment and hands-on dedication to the betterment of our local community.