Making headlines before holding his diploma: Hunter Holton’s Story
Hunter Holton has his eyes set on a career in news. But even before May 14, when the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College graduate will have his diploma in hand, he is making news.
Holton, a Writing and Communication major from Sylvester, Georgia, recently was one of six college students to earn the 2026 E. Lanier Finch Scholarship, presented by the Georgia Association of Broadcasters (GAB).
“We are honored to support these exceptional students,” said GAB President Randy Gravley. “Their passion for journalism, storytelling and communication embodies the spirit of Lanny Finch’s legacy and the bright future of broadcasting in Georgia.”
Holton received the $1,500 scholarship April 27 at Atlanta’s Emory Conference Center. About 50 students applied for the scholarship.
The six earning the scholarships are “Georgia students who exemplify professionalism, leadership and dedication to the industry,” according to the GAB.
Holton had to write a short essay as part of his application. “I was one of the six they chose,” he said. “I put in there, and I feel this way, that I'm meant to be working in a newsroom.”
Holton has fully immersed himself in the news industry. He has written for The Stallion and spent this semester interning at Albany television station WALB.
“My internship has been more or less behind the scenes,” Holton said. “I have learned a lot about the producing side of the work.”
Holton will continue working with WALB after graduation, as he has accepted an offer to be a producer for “Today in Georgia.” One of his first responsibilities will be working on a new segment for the show called “TIG+,” which aims to launch later this year.
Holton is drawn to local news. He originally pursued a different major at ABAC, but when he took his first public speaking class, he changed his major to Writing and Communication.
“I really liked what I was learning from Dr. Jay Baldwin,” said Holton. “Getting the content I wanted for my packages and stories and putting it all together into a finished product, I just loved doing that.”
He cites Steve Hartman’s “All the Empty Rooms” documentary on Netflix as one of his inspirations. In addition to personal inspiration, he discussed what he learned through his academic involvement.
“A lot of things that I have learned here through the introductory and advanced broadcasting classes and The Stallion were really useful,” Holton said.
Holton is a man of the people. When he wasn’t working on stories or at his internship, he entertained audiences through karaoke with his company, Sunshine Event Service. Holton is the sole proprietor of the company, and he is in the process of updating the name to Sunshine Media as he transitions the venture away from karaoke and into media such as photography and videography.
The experience helped Holton pay his way through ABAC, and it has taught him some important lessons on working in the real world. Holton is among the 55% of ABAC graduates who leave campus without student loan debt.
Dr. Matthew Anderson, dean of ABAC’s School of Social Sciences, Education and Arts, described how Holton’s success is an example of the school’s goals being realized.
“Hunter’s experience at ABAC is what we strive for all students to have in the School of Social Sciences, Education and Arts,” Dr. Anderson said. “He acquired valuable knowledge from his classes, gained experience in the field through our student media outlets, and leveraged his internship into a full-time role shortly after graduation.”