Spring 2017

Sargent W. and Virginia H. Hunt Scholarship Fund
Unlikely Couple Helps Students Fulfill Their Dreams

Described as a curmudgeon of sorts, Sargent “Sarg” Hunt was a former Marine and retired L.M. Berry executive known for his eccentric style and gruff demeanor. Making plans for charity wasn’t initially part of his estate plan, but a suggestion from a friend and a deep desire to honor his beloved wife, Virginia, inspired him to create a scholarship fund through The Dayton Foundation.

“After Virginia passed away in 2008, I asked Sarg what he might like to do with his money after he was gone,” said Mike Koverman, a longtime friend and business associate of Sargent and Virginia Hunt. “He gave it some thought and said he’d like to leave it to help others get an education. ’By golly,‘ he said. ’I think Virginia would love that.‘”

A call to the Hunts’ attorney and to The Dayton Foundation set the process in motion, and the Sargent W. and Virginia H. Hunt Scholarship Fund was established in 2009.

“The Dayton Foundation has been so easy to work with,” said Mike, who is an advisor for the Hunts’ fund. “The Foundation has done an excellent job of growing the fund.”

At 6’2”, Sarg towered over Virginia, who was a petite woman. He often wore turtlenecks underneath wildly-patterned sport coats, whereas she had a classic style and frequently accessorized her business suits or dresses with a single strand of pearls. Despite their contrasting outward appearances and demeanors - they shared a common love that was undeniable.

“Virginia was a classy lady, kind and gracious to everyone. She was very intelligent and successful, but loved Sarg dearly and didn’t like to overshadow him,” Mike said. “He had a deep love for her as well, and she kept him in line. They were crazy about one another.”

The Hunts came to Dayton in 1966 when Virginia accepted the position of women’s editor for the Dayton Journal Herald. In her years as editor, she garnered many awards and forged friendships with fellow newspaper colleagues Roz Young and Marj Heyduck. She also was close friends with Norman Rockwell, who gifted her with one of his paintings.

In retirement, the Hunts bred and raced horses and operated a telephone directory business that Sarg helped to establish when he left L.M. Berry. Sarg and his partners ran the business operations, while Virginia handled proofreading duties. She also was the primary caretaker of the horses they raised on their Miami Township farm.

When Sarg passed away in 2012 at the age of 90, their scholarship fund received more than $200,000 from the Hunts’ estate. Since 2014, more than $27,000 has been awarded to help youth attend college.

Mireille Uwase, who was born in Rwanda and grew up in Zambia, Africa, came to the U.S. in 2006 with her mother and siblings for a chance at a better life. She received a scholarship from the Hunts’ fund and is on track to graduate from the University of Dayton next year.

“My mother works hard to provide for us, but it is difficult to feed five mouths all by herself, let alone pay for my college tuition,” Mireille said. “Receiving this scholarship gave me hope and made me believe in myself, because someone saw potential in me. Without this support, I most likely would be working a minimum wage job. Now I am only a year away from being the first one in my family to receive a college degree.”

“Education was very important to Sarg and Virginia. This fund honors their memories in perpetuity and helps others go to college,” Mike said. “This would make Virginia very, very happy.”

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