Enriching Kinkaid's Arts

A gift in Michael E. Hunter's estate will enhance the music, theater, and fine arts programs for Kinkaid students.

Passionate about music, Michael E. Hunter ’66 was a gifted organist and choirmaster. After his passing in May 2017, the School learned he had made a significant gift in his will totaling 15% of his estate. These funds established The Michael Hunter Endowment for the Performing Arts to enhance the music, theater, and fine arts programs for Kinkaid students.

Michael attended Kinkaid from the first grade through tenth grade when the family moved to New York. He graduated from Horace Greeley High School and received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Wesleyan University. He served as the director of music and organist of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Tampa, Florida, from 1999 until his retirement in 2016.

His cousin, Darlene Moore, says, "Michael combined his love of travel with his love of music, visiting as many famous cathedrals as he could in the world and playing the organ where they would allow him." Darlene says Michael often shared that Kinkaid remained special and that he loved the challenging curriculum because it gave him a firm academic foundation.

"He especially loved the freedom of creativity and the lifelong friends he made at Kinkaid," Darlene says. "Michael will be smiling down from heaven knowing he is helping enrich the very programs at Kinkaid that helped build and form his life's work and passion—music and fine arts."

Scott Lambert, director of visual and performing arts, says, "It is inspiring to know that Mr. Hunter wanted to share his love of music and the performing arts with future generations of Kinkaid students. We are deeply grateful for this thoughtful and generous gift."

To learn about gifts that make a lasting impact at Kinkaid, contact Lisa Wood at (713) 243-5023 or lisa.wood@kinkaid.org.