By Amanda Purser
At 3 p.m. on Sept. 9, in the Cameron Theatre, the Board of Regents for the University of Oklahoma, Cameron University and Rogers State University, as well as the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education formally invested Dr. C. Shane Hunt with the stewardship and authority to lead this institution.
Special Advisor to the President, Jari Askins gave the opening and closing remarks throughout the ceremony.
Hunt, with wife Jenifer by his side, received the symbols of office by Board of Regents Chair Anita L. Holloway.
Mrs. Hunt secured the chain of office for President Hunt; the presidential medallion displays the Cameron University seal and is inscribed with the names of all 18 presidents in the school’s history.
Hunt took to the podium and began a speech highlighting two important topics for him — gratitude and purpose.
He gave thanks and offered his immense gratitude to his parents, specifically his mother Debbie who was in attendance, for all her sacrifices that helped him successfully become a first-generation college graduate.
Hunt showed gratitude to his wife and their two adult children, also in attendance for the ceremony. Hunt said that when he looks at his students now, he sees his amazing son (Andrew) and amazing daughter (Sarah) in their faces. He professed that the, “absolute best job in the world is being their dad.”
Hunt went into a passionate speech about the purpose of educators and the importance of making Southwest Oklahoma a place where students return to live, work and raise their families.
“We are in the business of providing the next generation of great educators, to educate your children and your grandchildren — we’re committed to that,” Hunt said. “We have a purpose at Cameron University to help make sure that our students go on to be leaders in their community.”
Hunt explained that he views public higher education as the greatest agent of positive social mobility change in this world.
“And I want every student to know this right now,” Hunt said. “If there is a young person, if there is a non-traditional student, if there is someone saying, ‘I want a better life for me, for my family,’ I will tell you in my soul, I would not be here if I did not believe it. There is not a better thing that you can do, than come to Cameron University, than come to one of our amazing public higher education institutions. It is transformative in what it is.”
Hunt’s passion for educating young people will surely guide his practices and management style as the leader of this institution. He brings an infectious energy and inspired motivation to this position and each speech he has given since arriving in the spring is indicative of that vigor.
One question the Aggie community might have, as guest speaker Dr. William McLean of Arkansas State University, colleague and friend of Hunt’s for the past two decades illustrated, is a question many who encounter Hunt have asked. “Is it real?”
“What they mean by that, is he really this genuine – upbeat – positive force for good who does not seem to have an off switch?” McLean said.
“Is he truly happy to see me? Does he really want to hear about my family — how my latest article, or book, or project is going?”
McLean explained further that regardless of what Hunt is doing or where he is at, that optimistic disposition remains intact.
“Whether it be fundraising for the university, engaging in economic development in the local community, or simply teaching an undergraduate Principles Marketing class; is the balanced energy and positive outlook an act?” McLean said. “Or does he really live and believe that internally?”
Not only did McLean take the time to travel here and show his support and presence for this ceremony, but he took it a step further and as a person who can professionally and personally give an accurate portrayal, McLean vouched for Hunt’s genuineness.
“And I can say unequivocally and without question,” McLean said, “something that I learned over almost two decades now observing Shane — it’s one hundred percent real. It’s spectacular and he truly believes the message that he is spreading, and he wants you on that journey with him.”
The next speaker and colleague of Hunt’s from Idaho State University, Dr. Adam Bradford, had similar sentiments to share.
Bradford gave anecdotes of meaningful conversations shared with Hunt over the years while working together.
A memorable one in which Hunt pointed out that “young people are perceptive purveyors of hypocrisy,” acknowledging that any actions devoid of authenticity will not go unnoticed by the demographic he pledged his career to.
“To all those interested in the vitality of this institution,” Bradford said, “I want you to know that above all, Dr. Hunt is a man who leads from his values. Not from political expediencies, not from self-interests.”
Bradford said “I am confident that you will find, as I have at Idaho State University, that Dr. Hunt will be a relentless advocate for the students at Cameron University. Not just in terms of identifying ways to support them academically, financially, socially — but in advocating them to realize their own inestimable worth, their value, their importance both as individuals and as members of families and communities,” Bradford said.
“You will find that he sees them and sincerely appreciates them, for both who they are and who they can become. And this vision implicates in him a sense of gratitude, hope and responsibility that he will honor,” Bradford said.
Hunt closed the ceremony with hopeful remarks on the future of Southwest Oklahoma and Cameron University having our collective “best days ahead of us.”
“I have a purpose to help students dream big dreams,” Hunt said. “I think this generation of college students is the best generation in our history.”
He spoke his final thoughts to the theater’s audience with encouragement and optimism for what Aggies everywhere can look forward to throughout Hunt’s tenure. “I am thrilled, and thankful, and blessed, and honored to get to serve as president of the best university in America,” Hunt said. “And today’s a really great day, and we’re just getting started. Go Aggies!”