J.B. Hunt establishes scholarship program

Lowell-based carrier J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. recently awarded $250,000 in scholarships to 100 recipients as part of the company’s new scholarship program, the J.B. Hunt Scholarship Program for Families.

According to the company, 42 Northwest Arkansas students were selected for the scholarship program. Each recipient will receive a $2,500 scholarship renewable annually for up to four years as long as they maintain a 2.5 GPA and full-time enrollment.

The application-based program is available to children or grandchildren of J.B. Hunt employees who are attending or plan to attend an accredited two- or four-year college, trade school or vocational school. The initial scholarship recipients represent more than 60 locations in the United States.

“Leading this program is one of the many ways J.B. Hunt is working to give back to our communities,” said Brad Hicks, president of highway services and executive vice president of people at J.B. Hunt. “The innovative ideas that will transform the world are with the students of today, and we want to ensure they have the opportunity to learn, grow and reach their full potential.”

The J.B. Hunt Scholarship Program for Families is supported by Scholarship America, an organization that helps people, corporations and communities with fundraising and awarding scholarships to students. J.B. Hunt plans to continue the program in 2023.

“The gift from J.B. Hunt will allow my son, Hugh, to complete his education and become a pediatric cardiologist, a profession near and dear to his heart, quite literally,” said Chris Ferguson, an analyst for J.B. Hunt. “In the seventh grade, after playing tennis one hot afternoon, Hugh was diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia, which causes his heart to beat quickly. The funds provided in this scholarship may someday help find a cure for this condition. The Ferguson family wants J.B. Hunt to know that we, as an organization, are not only providing an outstanding delivery and logistics experience but are also changing the lives of employees.”