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History and Current Profile
History
Profile of Current and Alumni Hunt Scholars
In academics
In Campus Leadership
After graduation
History
The Hunt Leadership Scholars Program began in 1993 from the vision and
generosity of Nancy Ann and Ray L. Hunt. Even when they were students at SMU,
the Hunts hoped someday “to give back to the university that had done so much
for us.” They believed that an SMU education fosters, and benefits from, the
kind of student with a combination of qualities:
· demonstrated leadership ability,
· intellectual ability coupled with the desire to apply that ability to
leadership and community participation,
· a strong work ethic and willingness to accept responsibility, and
· a desire to grow in one’s leadership skills within the SMU community and
eventually beyond.
Thus, the Hunts founded a scholarship program that would attract, and make an
SMU education available to, students with these qualities.
“As time passes and you look back upon
the years that you spent on this campus, you will find that, while you were
here, you developed some of your closest enduring friendships, realized some of
the more important truths that subsequently fashioned your life, and refined
many of the skills which, hopefully, will allow you to compete successfully in
the rapidly changing world in which you will live.
This is what the college experience is designed to do—and this is what SMU does
particularly well.”
---
Ray L. Hunt
Profile of Current and Alumni
Hunt Scholars
In academics
From an extraordinarily talented group of young leaders, approximately 20
- 25
students receive the Hunt Leadership Scholarship each year. In 2006-2007, we
have 67 Hunt Leadership Scholars, first-year through senior, from over 60
different high schools across the U.S.
The Hunt Scholars span the majors of the curriculum and have widely varying
backgrounds, interests, and activities. Their majors (or double majors, or
majors with minors) include the fields of History, Theater, Anthropology, Public
Policy, Biology, Advertising, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs,
Engineering, Business, Finance, Economics, and numerous interdisciplinary
studies.
“This program has meant opportunities that I never would have had, knowing people I never would have known, and realizing the potential that I never knew I possessed.”
--- Rachel Ball, Hunt Leadership Scholar, SMU Class of 2006
In Campus Leadership
Hunt Scholars are also leaders in all spheres of campus life. Hunt Leadership
Scholars have served as President, Vice-President, and Secretary of the Student
Body; Senior Class President; in leadership positions with leadership consultant
council, Program Council, Student Foundation, and University Honors Council.
They have been leaders across the spectrum of SMU’s hundreds of student
organizations, including organizations focused on academics, student life,
politics, community service, and faith-based community. They have served as
editors for campus newspapers and publications, Residence Hall Assistants, and
tutors for numerous academic areas. Many have served key roles in the area of
new student programs, such as orientation and advising.
“I made a pact on the day I received the scholarship—that I would use my skills to give back the blessings that I have been given.”
--- Molly White, Hunt Leadership Scholar, SMU Class of 2006
After graduation
The first Hunt Scholars graduated in 1997; we now have eight alumni classes.
Where are they now, and where have they gone in the past one to eight years? A
sampling:
· medical school
· law school
· divinity school
· management consulting
· graduate programs in national security studies, English, psychology,
education, and American studies
· teaching
· not-for-profit sector
· newspaper reporting
· college professor
· press secretary to U.S. congressman
· public relations firm
· Coro Fellow; Fulbright Scholar
· Intern with U.N. War Crimes Tribunal in Rwanda
· Teach for America
· Peace Corp
“Once you leave this campus, whatever it is you do, whether it’s in business, not-for-profit, or any aspect of life, become known as the person who never hesitates to take the job that’s not going to get any publicity, the job that others don’t want to take on. If you develop a reputation that you’re always willing to take it on, and that anytime you take on a job, everybody else can forget about it, then you will rise up in any organization in a business or non-business environment.”
--- Ray L. Hunt
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