At Ken’s, community and tradition are a big part of who we are, and we like to give back to our community whenever and however we can. As part of this commitment, once a year we present a scholarship to a Garland High School senior. The award goes to the student who most exemplifies the qualities of Bill Hunt, Ken’s Man’s Shop’s first hired employee.
Bill Hunt was a high school student when Ken’s first opened in Garland, Texas in 1964. Even at that young age, Bill was something of a legendary presence in Garland – everyone knew him, or knew about him. He was both class president and student council president through all four years of high school, and maintained a high GPA while founding and leading multiple extracurricular activities. On top of his busy scholastic schedule, he somehow also found time to work at Ken’s.
Having Bill as an employee at Ken’s gave the store instant credibility. When people walked into Ken’s for the first time and saw that Bill Hunt was working there, they knew that they could shop with full confidence and trust.
Bill also helped bring many other young men into the fold of Ken’s Man’s Shop. These young men went on to bring in others that they knew, establishing a line of succession for long-term employment at Ken’s.
After high school, Bill went on to college and then moved to California for work in the 1970s. Unfortunately his life was cut short at the age of 27, while he was in California.
During the 25-year reunion for Bill’s graduating class, Ken and the senior class at GHS decided to start a scholarship in his name. This year marks the 29th year of the Bill Hunt Memorial Scholarship. Over the years, Ken’s has awarded this scholarship to GHS students who embody everything that Bill Hunt stood for. This year’s recipient will continue a longstanding tradition of demonstrating a strong commitment to high standards, and a true spirit of community. All the Bill Hunt Memorial Scholarship recipients have graduated college, with many of them continuing on to get their master’s degrees or even doctorates.
The presentation for this year’s Bill Hunt Memorial Scholarship will be on May 21st, and afterward we’ll be proud to announce the recipient here so that everyone can wish them well.
Bill Hunt exemplified integrity, character, vision, work ethic, professionalism, and sincerity. It is an honor to continue his name through this scholarship.
Kory Helfman
Dallas Haberdasher
Ken’s Man’s Shop
