Catching Up With Forman Scholar Thomas Hunter!

Forman Scholar Thomas Hunter graduated from Towson University this spring with a degree in music education. After launching his career as a music educator, he plans to study for a master’s degree or potentially become board certified at the national level. We recently caught up with Thomas to learn more about his college experience and his plans for the future.

How did you get involved on Towson’s campus?

Since I primarily studied vocal music, you can probably guess that I performed with multiple choirs each semester. I also headlined a mainstage opera performance as one of the lead roles. Off stage, I joined a music fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha, and completed a full-time student teaching experience at an elementary and high school.

How did the Forman Acton Foundation support you throughout your college career?

The Foundation supported me more than just monetarily. I can recall phone calls with Rick Wilson and Ms. Kim when they helped me get my life straightened out and gave me the confidence to push ahead even though I was unsure about what my next steps in life were going to be. One time, I found myself really behind on a bunch of assignments, and I felt like I was drowning in work with no way out. Ms. Kim actually came all the way to Towson’s campus to sit with me and help me generate a game plan for clearing out that backlog of assignments. Words can barely express how much that one-on-one support and care meant to me. 

Looking back, what’s your most memorable moment from your college journey?

Even though my whole first year at Towson was spent on Zoom, I have so many exciting memories to look back on. I planned and performed an entire senior voice recital, I sang in an opera, I performed a masterwork with a large choir and orchestra – if you can’t already tell, a lot of my favorite moments center around music. I also really enjoyed getting into the classroom during my student teaching and working with kids as they discovered their own passion for music.

How do you plan on applying the lessons you’ve learned from college to the betterment of your community?

One of the primary ways I plan on giving back is through my career. My job as an educator is to serve as a positive role model and a leader for the next generation of young people. I hope that, by enriching students’ lives through music, I’ll be able to have a positive and transformative impact. I believe in the power of music to change lives, and I look forward to sharing that gift with countless classes of students.

Why are organizations such as the Forman Acton Foundation so important?

When the Foundation says they care about Salem’s students, they mean it. I’ve seen it happen firsthand on more than one occasion. The staff enables students to enhance their lives and pursue their dreams – not only as students but also as young professionals and community leaders. They’ve changed the trajectory of my life and the lives of so many of my friends and former Salem classmates, and I can never thank them enough for all they’ve done.