We’ve all probably heard countless times how education is an important part of our lives, and most of us have probably completed some kind of education which was a unique experience for each of us. For Paul Lamar Hunter, it was a difficult experience that came with a lot of effort and sacrifices, but in the end, it was rewarding.
Paul Lamar Hunter was born in Racine, Wisconsin in 1970, he is the 19th out of 21 children in his family. Being part of such a big family was not always easy for Paul. After the passing of his brother and father, Paul’s mother, Louise, dedicated herself to the homeless shelter she ran, which resulted in them having a difficult relationship while Paul was growing up. Aside from this, his life was also affected by poverty. But with the help of his community, friends, and family Paul was able to accomplish great things.
In 2012, Paul graduated from Upper Iowa University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, making him the first child in his family to graduate from college. It was not an easy road for him, but thanks to this achievement Paul has become a very successful person. Now a father to four children, Paul has written his autobiography No Love, No Charity: The Success of the 19th Child, in which you can learn more about his story and his path towards a college degree.
We got a chance to ask Paul a few questions and here’s what he had to say:
What made you decide that you wanted to be the first one in your family to graduate from college?
My family lineage played a significant role in me graduating from Upper Iowa University in 2012, with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. No one in my family history completed college, so I was able to elevate, separate, and break the stronghold to accomplish the biggest Dream and lay a foundation for the next generation of the Hunter descendants. On the other hand, I did it with Love, I did it with Faith, I did with Hope, I did with Determination, I did it with Will, I did it with Motivation, I did it with Discipline, I did it with Passion, and I did it with a Can-Do Attitude.
How was your family’s support important to you?
Whenever a person is chasing his or her dreams, it is imperative to have support from family members, friends, and mentors. They can give you guidance during difficult times, and they lift you up when you are down and feel like giving up. To know that you have people cheering you on toward victory and pushing you across the finish line, is a sign of love, a sign of I believe in you, and support you.
How did graduating from college impact your life?
Graduating from college has opened doors for me, and now I am able to speak to at-risk students, make national appearances on talks shows, and have my story profile in newspaper publications all around the world. I am delighted to give people hope that if I can change my old habits to new habits, they can do it as well. For that reason, my book has been adapted into a screenplay, and I am enthusiastic because I know I will receive a movie deal.
We know school is not easy, do you have any words for students who are struggling right now?
The best advice I can give is to always say please, be humble, be respectful, and remember that hard work opens doors. It worked for me and I know if you reproduce it, you will experience success like me and reach for the stars. Never give up, never say I can’t, and never give up on God.
You can learn more about Paul Lamar Hunter through his website www.paullamarhunter.com and his book which is available at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and iTunes.