Family finds late son had many friends

Jason Wayne Hunt's life touched the lives of many others.

Hunt was a rising junior Computer Science major at UNC Pembroke when he died in a May, 2003 accidental drowning.

Family, fraternity brothers at Phi Sigma Nu and friends organized a golf tournament in August to raise funds for the Jason Wayne Hunt Endowed Memorial Scholarship at UNCP. People came from near and far to play in the golf tournament to honor Jason and raised over $3,500 for the endowed scholarship in his name.

"Jason was loved and is missed greatly by us all," said his mother, Sandra Hunt. "Not a day goes by that we don't think of something funny he said or did, or a serious conversation we had, or what a good son, brother and friend he was. His love and friendship has carried much farther than we could ever imagine."

"The fraternity has been wonderful. They worked very hard on the project," Ms. Hunt said. "People came from as far away as Raleigh and Wilmington to play."

The golf tournament was held Aug. 2, 2003 at Flag Tree Golf Course in Fairmont. The event was a success with 21 teams competing, and the family plans to make it an annual event.

UNCP Chancellor Allen C. Meadors praised the effort behind the scholarship.

"Jason was an outstanding young man, and an endowed scholarship is a lasting tribute to his life," Chancellor Meadors said. "I cannot think of a better way to honor his legacy."

Jason and his older brother Kenneth, who is now a candidate for a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at UNCP, were members of Phi Sigma Nu, UNCP's first Native American fraternity established in 1996. Both were excellent students at UNCP and at South Robeson High School, where Jason graduated third in his class.

Jason is also survived by a sister, Marie, who is a nursing student at Robeson Community College.

"Jason loved life, loved his family, friends and he loved Jesus," said his father, Larry Hunt. "The scholarship will be awarded to a student who shared Jason's dream of a college education."

The scholarship will go to a sophomore Computer Science major from Robeson County with a demonstrated financial need.

"Jason earned two scholarships that helped him attend the University, and the family feels that this scholarship will help other deserving students realize the dream of a better life through education," Ms. Hunt said.

"The family would like to thank all who participated in the event, participants, sponsors, supporters and helpers," Ms. Hunt said. "God bless you all."

For additional information on giving to this or other scholarships at UNCP, call the Office of Donor Relations at (910) 521-6213 or email teresa.oxendine@uncp.edu.

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