Oral History: Scott Hunter - South Carolina Press Association

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Oral History of S.C. Newspapers

Scott Hunter

Aiken Standard
Aiken, SC

Aiken Standard publisher recalls 40-year career

Hunter moved from being a sports writer through the ranks to become one of the longest serving daily publishers in South Carolina.

Video Interview

This video has been edited for length. If you’d like to listen to the full raw audio from our interview with Scott Hunter, contact SCPA.

Photo Gallery

Hunter knows the Aiken Standard's newroom well. During his tenure at the paper he served as sports writer, sports editor, news editor, managing editor, general manager, editor and publisher.

Hunter knew the Aiken Standard's newroom well. During his tenure at the paper he served as sports writer, sports editor, news editor, managing editor, general manager, editor and publisher.

Scott_Hunter_contest_edit

In the 2012 SCPA News Contest, Hunter and his team at the Aiken Standard tied for First Place in the Daily Under 20,000 Public Service contest for their "Community Insights" series. Judges said the series and the responses are models for public service journalism at its best.

In the 2012 News Contest, Hunter and his team at the Aiken Standard tied for First Place in the Daily Under 20,000 Public Service contest for their "Community Insights" series. Judges said the series and the responses are models for public service journalism at its best.

Scott Hunter of the Aiken Standard was joined by his neighbor from Georgia, H.E. "Skip" Seiser of The Augusta Chronicle.

Scott Hunter of the Aiken Standard was joined by his neighbor from Georgia, H.E. "Skip" Seiser of The Augusta Chronicle.

When SCPA moved into its new home on Outlet Pointe Blvd. in 2010, Scott Hunter was one of the first visitors.

When SCPA moved into its new home on Outlet Pointe Blvd. in 2010, Scott Hunter was one of the first visitors.

Scott Hunter, publisher of the Aiken Standard and the North Augusta Star, and Star editor Phyllis Britt (right) present Mim Woodring (center) wth a plaque celebrating the Star's 50 year anniversary. The Woodrings founded the paper in 1954.

Scott Hunter and Star editor Phyllis Britt (right) present Mim Woodring (center) wth a plaque celebrating the Star's 50 year anniversary. The Woodrings founded the paper in 1954.

Hunter served as a speaker and panelist at many SCPA conventions over the years.

Hunter served as a speaker and panelist at many SCPA conventions over the years.

Hunter retired from the Aiken Standard in Dec. 2013. Ellen Priest, right, was named his replacement. Priest had served as business manager at the Aiken Standard earlier in her career.

Hunter retired from the Aiken Standard in Dec. 2013. Ellen Priest, right, was named his replacement. Priest had served as business manager at the Aiken Standard earlier in her career.

Emily Bull (left), SCPA women's division president, her son Harcourt (center), and Scott Hunter (right), managing editor of the Aiken Standard, enjoy the moonlight cruise on the Island Queen II.

Emily Bull (left), SCPA women's division president, her son Harcourt (center), and Scott Hunter (right), managing editor of the Aiken Standard, enjoy the moonlight cruise on the Island Queen II.

Scott had printer's ink in his veins. Here he is with the Aiken Standard's press in 2013.

Hunter had printer's ink in his veins. Here he is with the Aiken Standard's press in 2013.

Related Links

Biography

Born: March 28, 1949, in Bethesda, Maryland

Died: Sept. 25, 2018, in Aiken, SC

Newspaper History:

Sports writer, Aiken Standard
Sports editor, Aiken Standard
News editor, Aiken Standard
Managing editor, Aiken Standard
General manager, Aiken Standard
Editor, Aiken Standard
Publisher, Aiken Standard (1989-2013)
President of Aiken Communications Inc.
President of S.C. Press Association, 1995
President of S.C. Press Association Foundation
S.C. Press Association Foundation Board Member, 2012-2018

Honors and Awards:

2011 Man of the Year by the Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce
1998 Distinguished Citizen Award by USC Aiken
1997 Volunteer of the Year by the United Way of Aiken County

Education:

B.A. from the University of South Carolina
M.A. from the University of North Carolina School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Family: Daughter, Eleanor

SCPA's oral history project is dedicated to preserving the heritage of our state's journalists and newspapers.

This program is funded by the South Carolina Humanities Council, whose mission is to enrich the cultural and intellectual lives of all South Carolinians. This program is co-sponsored by the University of South Carolina’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications.