William “Bill” Whitfield Hurt, the fifth president of Montreat College, passed away on August 5, 2025. He was 89.
Under his guidance from 1991 to 2002, President Hurt and his wife, Mary Eleanor, left an indelible mark on the institution, propelling it into a new era of academic excellence, technology, and growth.
“A college that understands servant leadership will develop students who will be the givers rather than the takers of society,” he challenged the college in his inaugural address. “They will wear their servanthood into the world like an invisible crown.”
As president, Montreat-Anderson College underwent a significant transformation, including renaming the institution as Montreat College in 1995. During his tenure, the college expanded its reach and impact with the establishment of campuses in Asheville, Charlotte, and Black Mountain. In 1994, Montreat College achieved “Level Three” accreditation with the addition of the Montreat College School of Professional and Adult Studies (SPAS), which became the School of Adult and Graduate Studies (AGS).
Embracing the digital age, Montreat College launched its first website in 1994, a milestone that showcased the institution’s commitment to adapting to the evolving educational landscape. President Hurt’s strategic vision also led to Montreat College joining the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) in 1995.
An engineer by trade and a graduate of the University of Tennessee and the University of Florida, Hurt worked for Martin Marietta Aerospace (now Lockheed Martin) prior to his Montreat presidency, serving in a number of large classified military and space programs. His last project was as Director of the Longbow Program for the Apache helicopter.
“Because of his background as an engineer, he had a great eye for detail,” reflected Dr. Don King. “I was honored to serve as Vice President of Academic Affairs under him and learned so many valuable things. God used him in many important ways during his presidency. We all owe a great debt of thanks to him and Mary Eleanor.”
Hurt was deeply committed to excellence in education. Montreat College gained national acclaim for its Christian Environmental Studies Center, which was established in 1995. In addition, the “Adventures of the American Mind” program was implemented during his tenure, empowering teachers to utilize the resources of the Library of Congress in the classroom.
The 1999 Commencement ceremony marked a historic moment as Hurt handed out the first Master of Business Administration degrees to celebrate the success of Montreat’s first graduate program.
Capital improvements, including the renovation of the Bell Library and Morgan Science Building, underscored his commitment to providing state-of-the-art facilities for students. As president, the Edith Gilchrist Hamilton Gallery, housed in the library, became a cultural hub for the arts. The Chapel of the Prodigal, adorned with a fresco painted by internationally renowned artist Ben Long, and the completion of the McGowan Center for Religious Studies in 1998 further enriched the campus experience.
In 2001, under the leadership of President Hurt, Montreat College acquired the 72-acre property known as IntheOaks in Black Mountain, nearly tripling the size of the campus footprint. This significant addition laid the foundation for expansion and the school’s current master plan that opens the door to long-term growth and additional facilities to meet the needs of future generations of students. These plans provide a clear roadmap for achieving Montreat College’s goals for enrollment growth, academic excellence, vibrant student culture, and improved campus connectivity.
“We’re like a plant that’s in a pot that’s too small,” Hurt remarked to the Asheville Citizen-Times at the time. “This gives us an opportunity to grow and have options in the future.”
Today, President Hurt’s legacy endures in the continued success and growth of Montreat College.
“Dr. Hurt’s impact on this institution and the many lives he touched are remembered with gratitude and admiration,” said current president Paul J. Maurer. “We give thanks to God for his commitment to Christ-centered education, his faithful service, and the strong foundation he helped lay for the continual growth of Montreat College for generations to come.”
A memorial service will be held in his honor on Saturday, August 30, at 10 a.m. at Rose-Mann Funeral Home in Knoxville, Tenn. He is survived by his three children, Maury (Margaret) Hurt, David (Amy Medley) Hurt, and Amy (Fred) Trainer; his five grandchildren, William, Charlie, Mary Margaret, Bela, and Whit; and lifelong family friend Cheryl Ingle MacLeish of Orlando.