For the first time in 25 years, Jim Hunt isn't teaching. That's not to say he hasn't been busy. Not only has he balanced his dual roles of acting provost and dean of the faculty, but he also has helped spearhead the strategic planning process that will greatly enhance Southwestern's educational experience.

"The process of developing the Strategic Plan has been worthwhile. It's really opened up the communication process. My job has been to facilitate and guide the plan, but not influence it too much. I think It's a good plan, and I'm looking forward to the implementation."

Hunt believes Southwestern has the potential to be one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country. "We ought to be focused on providing the best undergraduate experience possible, and that will reflect in the rankings," he says. "If we can be ranked among the top 25 liberal arts colleges, it will be a by-product of what we'e done here.

"I believe in an educational philosophy that is student-centered. We need to be responsive to their needs and work collaboratively with them. I feel it is important to provide educational experiences that allow students to actively construct their own understanding, both in and out of the classroom. We must also focus on developing the student as a whole person."

Hunt came to Southwestern in 1988, and has been a faculty member in the Education Department until this year. He previously taught elementary and middle school for 12 years. While teaching every grade between second and eighth, Hunt became interested in the process of teaching, and what it takes to be a good teacher. He decided to pursue graduate work in education at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, La.

His arrival at Southwestern was a homecoming of sorts, only he didn't know it at first. "I saw an ad in the Chronicle of Higher Education for an opening at SU. I called my Mom to see if she had ever heard of Southwestern University. It turns out she had gone to school here and my grandfather served as pastor at the local Methodist church in Georgetown. I had no idea. I remembered looking at her Sou'wester yearbooks as a child, but I never made the connection."

This past year, Hunt has had to learn a new role at Southwestern as acting provost. He says It's been interesting, and he’s learned quite a bit. "I'll always think of myself as a member of the faculty, but now I have a greater understanding of how the University works. Because of my background, I feel I can better represent the faculty in my provost role, and as dean of the faculty, I can better represent the position of provost."

While he enjoys his new administrative duties, Hunt says he’s eager to start teaching again. "I definitely want to continue in an administrative role, but it would be nice if I could still teach at least one class every year."

Besides teaching, Hunt has a passion for music. A self-taught guitarist and vocalist, he plays with two different bands. The Post Hole Diggers (or Ph.Ds) is a group he helped form along with other members of the Southwestern faculty and staff. He also plays with the local Georgetown band, Glory Days. "I was 11 when I saw the Beatles play on Ed Sullivan. I said to myself, "That's what I want to do!’ It's my outlet."

Hunt also likes to lift weights whenever possible but admits he doesn't have as much time to devote to it these days. He still keeps in shape by walking, jogging, and playing basketball with his sons, John, 15, and James, 11. Diane, Hunt's spouse of 17 years, also teaches. She works with local first graders in a program called Reading Recovery.

-Greg Holland