Dustin Michael Tunick Scholarship

Dustin is the light of our lives. He continues to shine on in us every day, in many ways, and, through this wonderful scholarship fund. We want to thank all of you who have donated to and continue to donate to The Dustin Michael Scholarship, which every day is helping students, like him, follow their dreams.

We lost our beloved son Dustin on September 23, 2017. To help with our heartbreak and to make something positive out of this horrible loss, we have created a scholarship in his name at the University of Georgia’s Grady College, where he earned his bachelor’s degree, on a full academic scholarship, in 2005. Grady College is a prestigious journalism and communication school that is respected for its high academic rigors. We are so proud that he maintained his scholarship and graduated during what was a very difficult family time.

Dustin was a wonderful writer and focused on advertising and social media in his degree. He had a passion for connecting people with amazing events to make their lives better. Right after graduating in 2005, he jumped into social media before there was even a word for it. He started a social media platform called Athens Tonight, which connected the community and merchants with special promotions that helped increase business and visibility. He was a huge music fan and his latest project was helping promote Taylor Swift’s 2017 concert tour.

Dustin was the biggest Georgia Bulldog and Atlanta Braves fan ever. He also loved people and he loved family…where people love each other unconditionally without judgment. He created family wherever he worked and lived. People could never seem to get enough of Dustin. He was one of a kind: lovable, huggable and his smile could light up the darkest night. He adored his family.

Still, in all this tragedy and loss there is hope. We can carry his light with us. There are so many things that only take a moment and can change a life. Say thank you to anyone who shows you the slightest kindness. Smile at someone who looks like they could use a smile. Switch a complaining thought to a grateful one.

It will take a long time, if ever, to overcome the hole he left for us to fill, but we can fill it and carry his legacy on in a positive way. That is what this scholarship is all about. It’s for Georgia. It’s for Dustin. It’s for helping students each year reach their dreams.

We know Dustin would be proud of this action, as we are proud to call him our son, our brother, our nephew, our cousin, our uncle, our son or brother-in-law, our grandson and our friend.

We are Dustin.