Alfred D. Hurt was born on August 10, 1903. He attended and graduated from Roanoke College in 1926 with a B.S. in Business Administration. Hurt continued his education at New York University, where he earned a M.S. degree in 1949. He also studied at Radford University, the University of Illinois, Penn State University, Duke University, Furman University, and the University of Virginia.
Hurt spent 33 years with the Roanoke city schools as a coach and teacher and nine years with the Roanoke schools as principal and social studies supervisor. Hurt was Father of the Year for the City of Salem in 1960 and was Father of the Year Civic Affairs Roanoke Valley in 1966. Hurt received the Salem Rotary Outstanding Citizen Award in 1966, won the Silver Beaver Award Boy Scouts of America in 1959, and also received several Masonic and Scottish Rite Awards.
Hurt's community service includes the presidency of the Salem Kiwanis Club and several other civic and professional organizations. He was president of the Retired Roanoke County Teachers Association and a Sunday school teacher for the First Methodist Church. He and his wife were honored in 1969 by the Salem, Roanoke, and North Roanoke Rotary Clubs as Outstanding Citizens. Hurt was chosen for the Roanoke College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1959 and has served as class chairman for college fun drives.
Alfred D. Hurt received the Roanoke College Medal May 2, 1983, and was entered into the Roanoke College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1971. He received these honors from Roanoke College for his professional achievements and service to the community. Alfred was married to Louise Fitzgerald Hurt and together they had two children; Dr. Alfred D. Hurt, Jr and Gene Hurt Smallwood.
Alfred D. Hurt received the Roanoke College Medal in 1998.