I was serving as dean of the ECU School of Education and later VP for University-School Programs in Gov. Hunt’s last 8 years and the VP for the Education Commission of the States in Denver, CO (which Terry Sanford co-created). It was very evident that Gov. Hunt was the nation’s ‘Education Governor’ state leaders -Republican and Democratic - all wanted his wide council and his voice to be heard in their states. He lifted our state from a bottom-dweller in public education to above the national average in student achievement, teacher pay, per pupil expenditures, and more. And since 2010 to today we now rank 50th in the nation in school $ support and teacher pay is in the bottom tier again and 1/2 the students in NC are now being taught math and science by non-certified teachers in those subjects - virtually all in the rural districts in NC! What Republicans have done to public education is criminal!
The only single person I can think of that comes close to the impact of Hunt is Terry Sanford. I was just a teenager, not quite old enough to vote, when Jim Hunt won his first stay in the Governor's Mansion. I was stationed at Ft. Hood, TX in 1984, and the race between Hunt and Jesse Helms was probably the third most discussed in my little patch of Central Texas.
I 'spect few in your audience are old enough to have experienced the progressive developments in the State in the earlier half of the last century - the funding of unusually decent public schools and roads for a southern state, the ability of Governor Hodges, '54-'61, his ability to think in in decade spans: the Research Triangle Park. That progress was slowed, almost stopped, with our Senate election of '72 sending Helms to DC for 30 years. Governor Hunt shouldered through. Regrettably, and embarrassingly, the progress that could have been slowed substantially in the later part of the century, as hard as Governor Hunt worked. And more since 2010 given the loss of comity, the ability, or rather the interest in negotiation in Raleigh - for example - gerrymandering, budget failures. It will take strong leaders, Governor Stein, Attorney General Jackson, Minority Leader Reives and there are others, through empathy, critical thinking and a set of moral values to resume North Carolina's forward social/political motion. Not to mention patience and a sense of humor :-)
I also just read NC AG Jeff Jackson’s brief story about Hunt’s influence on him. Thank you for sharing this history. It’s useful for us to remember that many good people carry on the work in ways many don’t know about but are really important. Onward.
A very fitting tribute to a wonderful man who had a great deal of influence on public education in The Old North State. Republicans should have learned the lessons he taught
I remember how, during the Gov Hunt years, NC was touted as "The State of the Arts". It wasn't just education that was part of his agenda, but a broad base of what educating young people could be, giving opportunities to young people with an interest and talent for the performing and graphic arts or letters.
The one image that's always stuck in my mind about Jim Hunt was, back in the 70s when I was a kid, seeing an essay by him in some publication promoting a learning opportunity for young farm people - perhaps it was the 4H. Included in the piece was a snapshot, taken when he was a young man, with a prize cow from his family farm. There was something about how down to earth and proud he looked in that photo that always stuck with me - he came from a background in rural NC that was familiar to me.
I found that photo today, used in a piece on Hunt at the NCSU Libraries website:
Hunt seems to be the last of the generation of NC leaders that represented FDR-Truman style liberalism that would strike a balance between industry and labor or between company and consumer, while finding common ground for the state to play a role in the strengthening the basic infrastructure of education, healthcare, social welfare, and opportunity for everyone.
Since WWII, Sam Ervin and Jesse Helms had more national recognition. But you’re right. No one else fundamentally affected politics and policy more than Gov. Hunt.
He was amazing and influenced so many of us. I met him when i moved to NC in 2003 and I still remember the day he had the Smart Start Partnership EDs to the Governor's Mansion. It's where I learned my passion for early childhood services. May he rest in peace.
And he opened NCSSM… a hallmark of forward-thinking before STEM became such a focus.
I was serving as dean of the ECU School of Education and later VP for University-School Programs in Gov. Hunt’s last 8 years and the VP for the Education Commission of the States in Denver, CO (which Terry Sanford co-created). It was very evident that Gov. Hunt was the nation’s ‘Education Governor’ state leaders -Republican and Democratic - all wanted his wide council and his voice to be heard in their states. He lifted our state from a bottom-dweller in public education to above the national average in student achievement, teacher pay, per pupil expenditures, and more. And since 2010 to today we now rank 50th in the nation in school $ support and teacher pay is in the bottom tier again and 1/2 the students in NC are now being taught math and science by non-certified teachers in those subjects - virtually all in the rural districts in NC! What Republicans have done to public education is criminal!
The only single person I can think of that comes close to the impact of Hunt is Terry Sanford. I was just a teenager, not quite old enough to vote, when Jim Hunt won his first stay in the Governor's Mansion. I was stationed at Ft. Hood, TX in 1984, and the race between Hunt and Jesse Helms was probably the third most discussed in my little patch of Central Texas.
Excellent history, Thomas, as usual :-)
I 'spect few in your audience are old enough to have experienced the progressive developments in the State in the earlier half of the last century - the funding of unusually decent public schools and roads for a southern state, the ability of Governor Hodges, '54-'61, his ability to think in in decade spans: the Research Triangle Park. That progress was slowed, almost stopped, with our Senate election of '72 sending Helms to DC for 30 years. Governor Hunt shouldered through. Regrettably, and embarrassingly, the progress that could have been slowed substantially in the later part of the century, as hard as Governor Hunt worked. And more since 2010 given the loss of comity, the ability, or rather the interest in negotiation in Raleigh - for example - gerrymandering, budget failures. It will take strong leaders, Governor Stein, Attorney General Jackson, Minority Leader Reives and there are others, through empathy, critical thinking and a set of moral values to resume North Carolina's forward social/political motion. Not to mention patience and a sense of humor :-)
Jim Hunt was the best friend of public school teachers in the history of North Carolina.
I also just read NC AG Jeff Jackson’s brief story about Hunt’s influence on him. Thank you for sharing this history. It’s useful for us to remember that many good people carry on the work in ways many don’t know about but are really important. Onward.
Thank you, Thomas. Jim Hunt has been one of my great heroes for most of my life. I so appreciate your tribute to him.
May his memory be a blessing.
Terry Sanford, Jim Hunt 1& 2, Roy Cooper
Three governors during my lifetime that I believe represented North Carolina and its people at our best.
A very fitting tribute to a wonderful man who had a great deal of influence on public education in The Old North State. Republicans should have learned the lessons he taught
I remember how, during the Gov Hunt years, NC was touted as "The State of the Arts". It wasn't just education that was part of his agenda, but a broad base of what educating young people could be, giving opportunities to young people with an interest and talent for the performing and graphic arts or letters.
The one image that's always stuck in my mind about Jim Hunt was, back in the 70s when I was a kid, seeing an essay by him in some publication promoting a learning opportunity for young farm people - perhaps it was the 4H. Included in the piece was a snapshot, taken when he was a young man, with a prize cow from his family farm. There was something about how down to earth and proud he looked in that photo that always stuck with me - he came from a background in rural NC that was familiar to me.
I found that photo today, used in a piece on Hunt at the NCSU Libraries website:
https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/hunt-legacy-of-leadership/
Hunt seems to be the last of the generation of NC leaders that represented FDR-Truman style liberalism that would strike a balance between industry and labor or between company and consumer, while finding common ground for the state to play a role in the strengthening the basic infrastructure of education, healthcare, social welfare, and opportunity for everyone.
Since WWII, Sam Ervin and Jesse Helms had more national recognition. But you’re right. No one else fundamentally affected politics and policy more than Gov. Hunt.
Completely agree
He was amazing and influenced so many of us. I met him when i moved to NC in 2003 and I still remember the day he had the Smart Start Partnership EDs to the Governor's Mansion. It's where I learned my passion for early childhood services. May he rest in peace.