In a blend of laughter and tears, family, students and staff gathered in front of Wagoner Hall last week to honor the life of Hubert Simpson.
On May 7, 2013, UNC Wilmington suffered a sudden loss when Simpson, Wagoner’s cashier, died in a car accident.
With most students already gone for the summer, SGA President Zach Steffey and Matt Rogers, district manager of campus dining, came together this school year to hold a candlelight vigil to celebrate the contributions Simpson made to the university through his “charismatic attitude and passion for every Seahawk who passed through the doors of Wag,” Steffey said.
“Hubert always had a smile on his face. He always had a funny saying to cheer you up,” Steffey said during the service. “He loved his job. He loved this campus. He loved the students.”
That love was mutually evident by the dozens of UNCW students that attended Wednesday night’s service.
“Hubert was important because he was a part of each student's everyday life. He exemplified Seahawk spirit and what it was to truly love his job and UNCW,” said Ashley Murphy, district marketing manager for campus dining.
“I’ve been going to Wag since I was a freshman. He always brightened my day,” senior Sara Gurkin said.
The service also presented a tribute video entitled FACES of UNCW, which featured an interview with Hubert.
"To see a student walk through that door is the highlight of my day, every student that walks in got their eyes open and a smile on their face. It just does something to my day,” Hubert said in the video.
Following the video, UNCW’s Seabelles sang while the audience lighted their candles for the vigil.
Assistant Director of Housing and Residence Life, Kristen Tucker, closed the service with some parting words.
“Hubert. It means bright heart. Bright mind. Highly praised. And he is priceless,” she said. “I think its safe to say Hubert lived up to the meaning of his name. He definitely had a bright heart which you can see in his smile. He was priceless in his service to us and his UNCW community. We will remember him in our hearts and our minds.”
SGA sold t-shirts with imprinted words at the service to raise money for a scholarship in Hubert Simpson’s name.
The t-shirt read, “Happy Hump Day,” Hubert’s most beloved saying every Wednesday.
Students can still purchase t-shirts to help raise money for the scholarship and can still sign their names on a banner that was dedicated to Hubert.
