David Hoyt

PROFILE: Hard working, caring, intelligent, compassionate, great sense of humor, always willing to help; these are the terms used by various co-workers, teachers, and fellow students to describe David Hoyt. This young man grew up in the shadows of Princeton University, but began his studies at the community college level. A serious illness when he was 15 forced him to drop out of high school to battle his medical issues, but one thing he didn’t put on hold during his recovery period was his appetite for reading – anything and everything he could get his hands on. A perfect 4.0 student at Mercer County Community College, an Ivy League school is in Dave’s future. Like any person who has been fortunate to beat an illness, Dave feels grateful for every minute of life he’s given and he doesn’t waste one precious second. From the moment he stepped on the Mercer campus it was full-steam ahead for Dave – a self-described “Renaissance Man, doing everything, joining every club, and making it a memorable three years. “Today, I hold an absolute commitment to achieving my dreams and goals because I realize that my time at Mercer was my second chance at life.”

INSPIRATION: Although Dave had many mentors and teachers throughout his life, his supervisor at the Princeton YWCA, Barbara Griggs, transformed his life more than any other person. As his “tough love” boss, Barbara helped him after he dropped out of high school. “The aquatics department at the YWCA presented the perfect environment for me to grow and mend my life before venturing out to college.” From Barbara he learned “professional responsibility, a hard-work ethic, and many life-saving skills.” In addition, Barbara fostered in Dave a “self-respect and self-confidence that have never left me.” 

ASPIRATION: There is no gray area in Dave’s goals: “Transferring to a four-year institution is paramount to realizing my career dream to become a diplomat and, ideally, the US Ambassador to China or the President’s Envoy to the United Nations. Therefore, I must first complete my B.A. and study abroad in China and Washington, DC. Later, I plan to attend either a law school and/or a business school.”

MAKING A DIFFERENCE:   As mentioned above, Dave was a swimming instructor to children and young adults with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities at the YWCA in Princeton, which he has loved. Dave worked with each one of those students long after it was time to get out of the pool and punch the clock. “My students possessed incredible drive to overcome their adversities. Witnessing them triumph in the face of such odds inspired me to confront my own challenges.” 

ACCOLADES: In addition to the scholarship from the Foundation, Dave was selected to be the graduation speaker at Mercer and received the Coca-Cola Scholarship through the All-USA Community College Academic Team.

INTERESTING FACT: Despite Dave’s serious dedication to work, he’s a stand-up comic with his friends and classmates. During a summer session at Middlebury College in Vermont studying Chinese language, he became a master of charades and used his combination of humor and acting to create a skit called “Beijing Bachelor” which lampooned the 1960s TV game show, “The Dating Game.”