Alumnus of the Year: Jody Hunt

ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR

Jody Hunt

By William Nunnelley

When Jody Hunt, one of this year’s Alumni of the Year, decided to pursue a career in law, he never imagined that one day he would find himself in the Oval Office giving advice to the president. Or that as chief of staff to the attorney general, he would have a front-row seat to some of the most extraordinary and significant events of his time.

Nor did he ever imagine that having decided to enter public service at the Department of Justice, he would one day become the only person ever to rise from the ranks of career line attorney to be nominated and confirmed by the Senate to serve as the assistant attorney general for the civil division in charge of the federal government’s litigation.

Such were the opportunities that came Hunt’s way during a legal career that has spanned 30 years. It was a career that easily could have taken him in other directions.

“My undergraduate studies at Samford prepared me well for a career in law even though it was never my intention to go on to law school or to have a career in the law when I was an undergraduate,” he said. “I majored in public administration and had planned to teach or to pursue a career in the foreign service.”

“Fortunately, Samford invited me back for a brief period to serve as interim Director of Student Activities, and it was during that time that I was persuaded that attending law school would open a number of doors for me," Hunt said.

He recognized that he could still teach or go into the foreign service, and that a law degree would provide other opportunities. He went on to earn a J.D. at Columbia Law School.

Hunt, the son of missionaries, has fond memories of participating in Step Sing and intramural football. He served as president of the Student Government Association as a senior and was recognized as co-valedictorian of his class and recipient of the John R. Mott Cup when he graduated in 1982.

Hunt described Samford as “a special place” and “more than just a place to study.” He said it was “a deep honor” to be recognized as an Alumnus of the Year. ◗