Original Trailblazer: Silas Hunt

FAYETTEVILLE – Ark. – Silas Herbert Hunt was born in Ashdown, Ark. His family moved to Oklahoma when Silas was young, but returned to Texarkana, Ark., when he was 14. Hunt took an interest in school, participating in many activities and graduating salutatorian of his class in 1941. He enrolled in Arkansas Agricultural, Mechanical and Normal College — now known as the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff — where his academic ability gained him recognition and financial aid.

Hunt was a veteran of World War II. The service took him away from his studies for 23 months. He was still recovering from wounds sustained during the Battle of the Bulge when he returned to AM&N (now University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff) to complete his undergraduate degree in 1947.

On Feb. 2, 1948, Silas Hunt became the first black student in modern times to attend a major Southern public university when he was admitted without litigation into the University of Arkansas School of Law. Roy Wilkins, administrator of the NAACP, wrote in 1950 that Arkansas was the “very first of the Southern states to accept the new trend without fighting a delaying action or attempting to . . . limit, if not nullify, bare compliance.”

Historians who have written about Hunt state that he was the ideal candidate for breaking the color barrier at the University of Arkansas. His historic journey to Fayetteville was a courageous act, and the records show that he had a strong support network of friends. Early black students who followed him went on to accomplish even greater feats. But none of that diminishes the qualities and strength of character that embodied Hunt as an individual.

Hunt’s presence at the University was brief, sadly; he died from tuberculosis in the spring of 1949 before finishing his law degree. But his presence left a significant legacy of possibility and inspiration to countless other African Americans in Arkansas and across the nation.

Silas Hunt Hall, across from the law school, was dedicated in his honor as the student admissions center in 1993. An historical marker is located along Maple Avenue, in front of Silas Hunt Hall.

The Silas Hunt Legacy Award Celebration pays tribute to Hunt by honoring individuals who have made a significant impact on the University of Arkansas, the state of Arkansas, the nation and the world. The Silas Hunt Legacy Award was created by the university in 2005 and first awarded in 2006. This year’s recipients are nominated and selected by a volunteer selection committee of University of Arkansas faculty, students, professional staff and former recipients.

Several past honorees have been connected to Razorback Athletics including the University of Arkansas’ first black cheerleader, the late E Lynn Harris, former men’s basketball coach Nolan Richardson, and former men’s basketball student-athlete Ronnie Brewer.

The University of Arkansas’ Office of University Relations provided the content of today’s salute. For more information you may visit the Silas Hunt Legacy Award Event page on the University of Arkansas website.