New Aviation Scholarship Honors the Legacy of Colonel Robert G. Hampton
Contact: Rhonda Jessup, Director of Public Relations
MOUNT OLIVE – The University of Mount Olive has announced the establishment of the Robert G. Hampton Endowed Aviation Scholarship, created through a generous gift from Teresa G. Hampton in memory of her late husband, Colonel Robert G. Hampton. This scholarship will support aspiring aviators enrolled in UMO’s Aviation Management Program who demonstrate a strong work ethic, financial need, and a commitment to excellence in flight training.
Robert “Rob” Hampton’s journey to becoming a military and commercial pilot was shaped by perseverance, opportunity, and the support of scholarship aid. Raised in the small town of Avis, Pennsylvania, Rob’s passion for aviation began early—helping his uncle, a mail pilot in the 1940s, build airplanes in the family garage. He later earned the opportunity to study abroad in Sweden as a high school junior through the Rotary Exchange program, becoming fluent in both Swedish and German.
Rob went on to attend Daniel Webster College in New Hampshire, where he was selected to join the elite Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program. After earning his commission, he served in the United States Air Force flying the A-10 Thunderbolt and later served as an instructor pilot in the T-38 Talon. His career brought the Hamptons to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, North Carolina, in 1991. Following military retirement, Rob transitioned to a successful civilian career with JetBlue Airways in 2003.
“Rob dreamed of teaching aviation students at UMO after his retirement from JetBlue,” said Teresa Hampton. “When he passed unexpectedly in 2021, I knew I had to honor that dream by creating a scholarship in his name.”
The Robert G. Hampton Endowed Aviation Scholarship will benefit full-time traditional students enrolled in the Aviation Management Program, with primary consideration given to students with a minimum 3.0 GPA who are pursuing flight training hours.
“Rob’s path would not have been possible without the help of scholarships,” Hampton said. “There were times in college when he could barely afford to eat. This scholarship ensures that students with drive and purpose won’t be held back by financial limitations.”
In addition to honoring Rob’s aviation career, the scholarship is intended to reflect his deeply held values—faith, discipline, respect for others, and a commitment to doing things the right way. “Rob believed in honoring God, his parents, and always putting in the work. He believed in doing things correctly—especially in aviation, where cutting corners can be fatal,” she added.
Teresa Hampton hopes others will consider contributing to the fund or establishing their own scholarships to support future pilots.
“The aviation field is facing a growing shortage of qualified pilots,” she said. “By supporting the next generation of aviators, this scholarship helps protect the essential services we all rely on—both in commercial travel and military readiness.”
For Teresa, establishing the scholarship has been a way to channel grief into purpose. “When Rob passed suddenly, just one day before our son’s Air Force retirement ceremony, our world turned upside down,” she said. “Creating this scholarship helped me keep his legacy alive.”
She has a message to others who have lost loved ones. “For those who have experienced loss, I encourage you to consider scholarships as a way to let your loved one’s legacy continue giving, teaching, and lifting others.”
To learn more about contributing to the Robert G. Hampton Endowed Aviation Scholarship or to explore giving opportunities at the University of Mount Olive, visit umo.edu/give or contact the Office of University Advancement.
The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University was founded by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists. For more information, visit www.umo.edu.
