The College of Liberal Arts and the Department of Economics recently honored distinguished alumnus Lacy Hunt with a portrait at a small ceremony on October 9. The portrait, painted by artist Sophie Graefenhain, will hang in the Economics Department’s second-floor home in Gladfelter Hall, where the event took place.

Hunt, an internationally renowned economist who now serves as Executive Vice President of Hoisington Investment Management Company, was the first recipient of a PhD in Economics from Temple University in 1969. In the ensuing years, he has maintained a close relationship with the university. He served on the Board of Trustees from 1987 to 2010 and is now an honorary lifetime trustee. As chair Michael Bognanno noted in his opening remarks, Hunt has been the Economics Department’s largest benefactor over the past 40 years. 

The unveiling ceremony also included an introduction from Dean Richard Deeg and the presentation of an engraved glass owl from the Tyler School of Art. In a toast, Professor of Economics William Stull pointed out that Hunt's role as a benefactor to the department goes beyond his financial and pedagogical contributions—he also serves as a constant source of inspiration. 

“He becomes successful in the very competitive field of financial services, but he never forgets his roots—he’s stuck with us through thick and thin, and he’s still sticking with us,” said Stull. “Whenever you talk with Lacy about his experience here, he’s so enthusiastic about his teachers, his classes, what he learned and how he was treated. The loyalty that he has exhibited has really helped us in this department over the years.”

When it came time to accept the honor, Hunt remained seated and invited all attendees to get comfortable. He shared a few of his favorite memories from his years as a student at Temple to an attentive room before addressing current-day faculty and staff:

“I’ve loved Temple University since the first day that I was here. You have a long and proud tradition. You have outstanding professors. Our economics department has not always gotten the recognition that it should have, but you’ve always done well, and I’ve observed this time and time again.

“I want to thank you for this honor,” said Hunt, winding down, “and in concluding: Go Owls, beat Navy.”