By Joy Simmons
Robert Hunt graduates in three weeks as the first blind student named valedictorian for any department in BYU''s College of Family, Home and Social Science.
But Hunt''s disability was not the determining factor in his being chosen as valedictorian, said Lori Seely, assistant dean of the college.
'He was chosen based on his GPA as well as his involvement with faculty research,' Seely said. She said Hunt is one of the few valedictorians who have had anything published.
Hunt, 23, a senior from Pleasant Grove, Utah County, majoring in psychology, was chosen from among the college''s department valedictorians to speak at convocation, Fri., April 26.
'I guess I study more than I should,' Hunt said.
Seely said to her knowledge Hunt is the first blind student in the college to be named valedictorian and the first blind convocation speaker.
Hunt said that after he graduates from BYU, he plans on going to BYU, Yale or Harvard to work on a PhD. He wants to eventually work at a university as a teacher, researcher and therapist.
Hunt said some people do not understand that blindness and other disabilities do not have to keep people from reaching their goals.
'It can just be an occasional inconvenience,' Hunt said.
With a white stick in hand, he navigates campus alone and sometimes with a student volunteer at his elbow.
'I can do just about anything I need to do,' Hunt said. 'I just do it differently.'
When Hunt first came to BYU he said he was scared mostly because he didn''t realize what accommodations and resources were available for students with disabilities.
Through the University Accessibility Center, Jenn Donley, 20, a sophomore from South Dakota majoring in veterinary science, volunteered to help Hunt read textbooks, take notes in class and occasionally walk across campus.
'He really amazes me,' Donley said. 'Most students would kill to do what he can do.'
Hunt''s mother, Debra Hunt, said her son is motivated and works hard.
'His disability has made him more determined to be successful,' said Debra Hunt. 'He has a real good attitude.'
Besides excelling academically, Hunt excels artistically and physically. He rides horses, skis, fly-fishes, bowls, rock climbs, and plays the guitar.
Hunt especially enjoys sculpting with clay.
'It''s almost like I can see it with my hands,' Hunt said.
Hunt did not lose his sight until he was 15, so he remembers what most things look like that he sculpts.
Trying to sculpt a horse was challenging because Hunt said he couldn''t remember how the muscles should look. To figure it out, he felt another bronze sculpture.
Besides sculpting himself, Hunt has taught it to alternative high school students.
He said in the last 50 years a lot of things have changed for people with disabilities. Technology is advancing, more people with disabilities are succeeding, and awareness is increasing. Yet Hunt said awareness is still the biggest problem.
Hunt said most kids with disabilities do not realize they can even go to college. They do not realize what kind of accommodations and resources are available for people with disabilities.
'Maybe it''s because there isn''t enough awareness about disabilities,' he said. 'Maybe it''s because they don''t know someone with a disability who has gone to college.'
Hunt said if they did realize their potential, they would accomplish a lot.
Hunt is trying to make kids with disabilities aware of the possibilities through a BYU program called SHOE, Students Helping Others Excel. It''s for students with disabilities to get together and talk about some of the resources that are available and some of the challenges they face at BYU.
These students also go to elementary, junior high and high schools to encourage people with disabilities to reach for their goals.
Hunt said most people with disabilities are willing to answer questions to clear up misconceptions. Because of misconceptions, people with disabilities often don''t even try, he said.
'I feel like happiness and success isn''t about what we have, it''s about being grateful for what we have and trying to do everything we can do with the abilities that we do have,' Hunt said.