Emporia ? The Kansas Hall of Fame has selected renowned Emporia newspaper editor William Allen White to its 2012 class of laureates.

The announcement was made Wednesday at the William Allen White House State Historic Site in Emporia. White, who died in 1944, was widely known for his 1896 editorial “What’s the Matter with Kansas?” in the Emporia Gazette.

Other honorees announced Wednesday were Cyrus K. Holliday, founder of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad, and the railroad itself.

The rest of the 2012 honorees will be announced later.

The Kansas Hall of Fame opened last year at the Great Overland Station in Topeka to coincide with the state’s 150th birthday. Its mission is to recognize outstanding Kansans.

Honorees will be inducted at a June 15 gala at the Topeka site.