Hampden-Sydney College
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Hampden-Sydney College
Seal of Hampden-Sydney College

Motto: Γνώσεσθε τὴν αλήθειαν
Gnôsesthe tên Alêtheian
(Greek: "Ye Shall Know the Truth")
Established: 1775
Type: Private men's college
Endowment: US $142.4 Million
President: Walter M. Bortz III
Provost: Robert P. Herdegen
Faculty: 128
Undergraduates: 1,120
Location: Hampden-Sydney, VA, USA
Campus: Rural, 1,200 acres (4.86 km2)
Colors: Garnet and Gray          
Nickname: Tigers
Athletics: NCAA Division III, ODAC, 8 varsity teams
Website: www.hsc.edu

Hampden-Sydney College is a liberal arts college for men located in Hampden-Sydney, Virginia. Founded in 1775, Hampden-Sydney is the oldest private charter in the South, as well as the 10th oldest institution of higher education and one of only three four-year, all-men's liberal arts colleges in the United States.

Contents

Overview

Hampden-Sydney enrolls 1,106 students from thirty states and several foreign countries, and emphasizes a rigorous and traditional liberal arts curriculum.

Along with Wabash College and Morehouse College, Hampden-Sydney is one of only three remaining traditional all-male colleges.[1] The school's mission is to "form good men and good citizens in an atmosphere of sound learning." As such, Hampden-Sydney has one of the strictest Honor Codes of any college or university. Upon entering as a student, each man pledges that he will not lie, cheat, steal, nor tolerate those who do while he is a student at Hampden-Sydney. The pledge takes place during a solemn ceremony after a lecture by the school's President and Dean of Students. This simply-worded code of behavior applies to the students on or off campus. Though it is strict, the justice system is student-run, allowing for a true trial of peers, adjudicated by a court of students that is both thorough and compassionate to both the college and their fellow students.

Every student must prepare for and pass the Rhetoric Proficiency Exam, a three-hour essay that is graded upon coherence of argument, quality of argument, style in which the argument is presented, and grammatical correctness. To prepare, the college requires each student to pass two Rhetoric classes that are usually taken the first two semesters a student is at Hampden-Sydney. After graduating, many alumni have stated that the Rhetoric Program was the most valuable aspect in the Hampden-Sydney education.

Hampden-Sydney is the parent institution of Union Theological Seminary (Presbyterian) and The Medical College of Virginia (now located at Virginia Commonwealth University).

History

Classes at Hampden-Sydney began in temporary wooden structures on November 10, 1775, on the eve of American Independence. The College has been in continuous operation since that date, meaning that college has operated under the British, Confederate, and United States flags. In fact, classes have only been canceled twice: for a Civil War skirmish on campus, and a hurricane that knocked a tree into a dormitory building.

Despite the difficult and financially-strapped first years resulting from the Revolutionary War, the College survived with sufficient viability to be granted a charter by the Virginia General Assembly in 1783 – the oldest private charter in the South.

Hampden-Sydney College derives its name from John Hampden (1594-1643) and Algernon Sidney (1622-1683). Hampden lost his life in the battle of Chalgrove Field during the English Civil War. Sidney, who wrote "Discourses Concerning Government," was beheaded by order of Charles II following a failed attempt to overthrow the king. The college was founded by alumni and people affiliated with Princeton University. These proponents of religious and civil liberties were much admired by the founders of the College, all of whom were active supporters of the cause of American independence. Both Patrick Henry and James Madison were elected trustees in the founding period before classes began.

The College's founder and first president, Rev. Samuel Stanhope Smith, was subsequently the president of the College of New Jersey, which is currently Princeton University. Smith hired many faculty members from the College of New Jersey.

Hampden-Sydney became a thriving college while located in southside Virginia, which led to an expansion of the college. In 1812, the Union Theological Seminary was founded at Hampden-Sydney College. The Seminary was later moved to Richmond, VA and is currently the Union Theological Seminary & Presbyterian School of Christian Education. In 1838, the medical department of Hampden-Sydney College founded the Medical College of Virginia which is now the MCV Campus of Virginia Commonwealth University. During this time, the College constructed new buildings using Federal style architecture with Georgian touches. This is the style of architecture still used on the campus.

At the onset of the American Civil War, Hampden-Sydney students formed a company in the Virginia Militia. The Hampden-Sydney students did not see much action but rather were “captured, and...paroled by General George B. McClellan on the condition that they return to their studies."[1]

Campus

The College has expanded from its original small cluster of buildings on 100 acres (0.4 km²) to a campus of over 1000 acres (4 km²). Prior to February 2006, the College owned 660 acres (2.7 km²). In February 2006, the College purchased 400 acres (1.6 km²) which include a lake and Slate Hill Plantation, the historic location of the College’s founding. The campus is host to numerous Federal style buildings. Part of the campus has been designated as a National Historic Preservation Zone.

The campus is currently undergoing major construction and renovation, beginning in 2004 with the opening of a new fitness center in Kirby Fieldhouse. During the summer of 2005, a new parking lot was constructed behind the Alphabet dorms. The original parking lot for the Alphabet dorms (directly across College Rd.) was torn out and filled in with dirt and grass. In 2006 the new Hellmuth-Pritzlaff Lacrosse Field was completed.

Lewis C. Everett of Kilmarnock, Virginia, has given Hampden-Sydney College $2.5 million to construct the Lewis C. Everett Stadium. Construction on the 1850-seat facility began in November 2006 and was completed in August 2007. The Everett Stadium replaces the 40-year-old Hundley Stadium adjacent to Fulton Field. The new stadium opened on September 1st, 2007 for the opening football game against Johns Hopkins University.

Most significant of all the construction projects was the new library. Opened in the Summer of 2007, the 85,000-square-foot (7,900 m2) building houses over 245,000 volumes and subscriptions to over 800 journals and periodicals. Fanfare for the new building has spurred many donations, including a collection of seventeenth and eighteenth century maps (including two Frye-Jefferson Maps), and a collection of twentieth century art that includes a Joan Miro and Salvador Dali.

Currently under construction is a major addition of Gammon Gymnasium, which sits adjacent to Fulton Field. Future plans include renovations to Eggleston Hall (the former library) and Winston Hall.

Every building on campus that predates 1960 has been changed from the design of the original architect and from the purpose of the original benefactors.

Student life

Culture

As one of only a few higher educational institutions for men, and being older than the country it’s located in, Hampden-Sydney College has a unique culture. Stereotypically, students are southern, well-dressed, articulate, and conservative. Many take part in long-standing campus traditions—wearing jacket and tie to football games, greeting everyone they meet on campus, and active campus involvement, to name a few. Students are also issued a copy of “To Manner Born To Manners Bred: A Hip-pocket Guide to Etiquette for the Hampden-Sydney Man,” which covers everything from basic manners, how to greet and introduce people, how to respond to invitations, how to dress, the difference between a black tie and white tie event, how to choose a wine, etc. The College publishes it as a useful tool for existing successfully in a variety of social settings; as a result, Lisa Birnbach describes the College as “THE finishing school for Southern Gentlemen,” in her book Official Preppy Handbook.

Demographics

According to the Hampden-Sydney College website, the student body for 2004-05 is 94.1 percent White, 2.7 percent Black, 1.0 percent Hispanic, and 1.7 percent Asian. The majority (63%) of the student body is from Virginia. The rest come from 35 other states and 10 different countries.

Clubs and organizations

According to the Hampden-Sydney College website, there are over 40 clubs on campus. Each club is run by the students themselves and the clubs come in a large variety. For example, there are political clubs, sports clubs, religious clubs, an FM radio station, a pep band, and multiple social fraternities. There are also volunteer groups such as the local volunteer fire department.

Union-Philanthropic Literary Society (UPLS) is the oldest student organization at Hampden-Sydney College. Established on September 22, 1789, it's the nation's second-oldest literary and debating society still in existence today.

Athletics

Hampden-Sydney College participates in 8 NCAA-sanctioned sports: Football, Soccer, Cross-Country, Golf, Basketball, Baseball, and Lacrosse. The school is part of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Basketball, baseball, and lacrosse teams are regular NCAA Division III national tournament contenders.

On 10 November 2007, Hampden-Sydney played against Randolph-Macon College in the 113th iteration of "The Game" (The oldest small-college rivalry in the South). This game held special implications, as Randolph-Macon entered first in the ODAC with a conference record of 5-0, and Hampden-Sydney entered the game second in the ODAC with a conference record of 4-1. The winner of the game determined the winner of the Conference. The game began with a huge kickoff return by Hampden-Sydney, which led to a touchdown on the offensive drive. Following that, the kickoff team successfully executed an onside kick, and the offense scored a second touchdown, taking a 14-0 lead before Randolph Macon even touched the ball. The final score was 31-13, making Hampden-Sydney the 2007 ODAC Football Champions. As a side note, the H-SC/R-MC rivalry was featured in Shorty, a documentary about Walter “Shorty” Simms, a 61 year-old man with Down syndrome, and icon of the College football team.

In late February and early March 2007, the Hampden-Sydney basketball team went on an impressive run that resulted in the school's tenth ODAC championship in Men's Basketball, and its fourth this decade. The Tigers won its first-round NCAA Tournament game against Hood College, but lost in the second round to fellow ODAC foe (and 2007 National Champion) Virginia Wesleyan College.

Greek life

For freshmen, rush begins in the first semester and pledging takes place in the spring. If a freshman chooses not to rush and/or pledge, sophomores and juniors may pledge in the fall or spring. Roughly 33% of the student body is involved in Greek life.

  • **Note: A professional fraternity for chemistry majors; however Hampden-Sydney's chapter is unique in that biology and physics majors may also pledge.

In addition to the social and professional fraternities listed above, Hampden-Sydney also has chapters of Phi Beta Kappa and Omicron Delta Kappa.

Housing

Freshmen are required to live in one of three dorms that are set aside for freshmen. These dorms are Cushing Hall, the Carpenter Dormitories (X, Y and Z), and the Whitehouse Quadrangle. Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors have the option of living in any of the other dorms that they choose. Although an overwhelming majority of students live on campus or in campus owned housing, the school does permit a small portion of students (usually upperclassmen) to live off-campus.

Marvin Gaye And Tammi Terrell tragedy

On October 14, 1967, while in concert at the homecoming for Hampden-Sydney College, Virginia, outside the college town of Farmville. The singer Tammi Terrell collapsed in Gaye's arms. She was rushed to Southside Community Hospital, where she was later diagnosed with a malignant brain tumorcitation needed. Contrary to popular belief, the concert was not at Hampton University. The concert was sponsored by the Men's choral, Pep club and Union philanthropist club. The Chairperson of the event recounted the events on WFLO FM radio in Farmville in April 2007 for the anniversary of Marvin's passing.

Presidents of Hampden-Sydney College

Notable alumni

Arts and entertainment

Business

  • John B Adams, Jr.: CEO of the Martin Agency, Class of 1971.
  • Christopher T. Apostle: SVP of Sothebys, Class of 1985.
  • W. Charles Blocker Jr: Senior Vice President and Director of Corporate Finance for Gannon International and former Chairman and CEO of Asian Trade Alliance, Inc., Class of 1984.
  • Walter Blocker: Board of Governors, American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam and Managing Director of GANNON Vietnam Limited, Class of 1990.
  • Rob J. Bonaventura: President of Laidlaw & Company, Class of 1983.
  • E. Rhodes Carpenter: founder of the Carpenter Company, Class of 1929.
  • George B. Cartledge Jr.: Chairman Grand Home Furnishings, Class of 1963.
  • Brad Cary: co-founder and CEO of Emigra Group, Class of 1985.
  • James Cook: founder of Aurora Russia Limited, former Chairman of Delta Financial Group, former Chairman and CEO of GE Consumer Finance Russia, Class of 1986.
  • Richard F. Cralle Jr.: Owner Green Front Furniture, Class of 1965.
  • Michael R. Fitzsimmons: founder & CEO Delivery Agent, Class of 1995.
  • Bernard S. Groseclose Jr.: CEO of the South Carolina State Ports Authority, Class of 1975.
  • H. Hiter Harris III: co-founder and Managing Director of Harris Williams & Co, Class of 1983.
  • David H. Head, Jr.: real estate, President of Head Companies, Class of 1993.
  • Sekou H. Kaalund: Senior Vice President and Head of Business Development for JPMorgan Private Equity Fund Services, Class of 1997.
  • Gary L. Kessler: CEO of Carey International, Class of 1986.
  • Monte Lehmkuler: Senior Managing Director and Head of Equity Trading at FBR Capital Markets, Class of 1988.
  • John G. Macfarlane III: COO of Tudor Investment Corp and former Treasurer and Managing Director at Salomon Brothers, Class of 1976.
  • L. White Matthews III: former CFO Ecolab, Inc, former EVP of Finance of Union Pacific Corporation, Class of 1967.
  • David J. McKittrick: former CFO of Gateway 2000, CFO of Ethanex Energy, Inc, Class of 1967.
  • C. Cammack Morton: Real estate developer, CEO of Commercial Properties Development Corporation, Class of 1973.
  • Charles C. Mottley: CEO of El Capitan Precious Metals, Inc, Class of 1956.
  • Alphonso O'Neil-White: first African-American student, CEO of Health-Now (BlueCross/BlueShield of New York State), Class of 1972.
  • Frank W. Roach: CEO of North America for Wolseley plc, Class of 1973.
  • Conrad F. Sauer IV: CEO of The C.F. Sauer Company, Class of 1972.
  • John G. Scott: CEO of Toter Inc, Class of 1993.
  • Warren M. Thompson: business, CEO of Thompson Hospitality Corporation, Class of 1981.
  • I. Benjamin Watson: former SVP of Communications and Human Resource at Sprint Corporation, Class of 1971.

Education

Law/Politics

Other

  • Walter E. Bundy IV: Executive Chef of 5-star restaurant Lemaire, Class of 1990.
  • Matt Eversmann: soldier, experience in Mogadishu was basis for character in Black Hawk Down; Class of 1988.
  • Devin Galligan: Cancer Survivor and philanthrophist, Founder of "Strain the Brain" to help cancer patients in Nashville, TN Class of 1994 (completed degree at Fordham University).
  • John S. Preston: Confederate general in the American Civil War and South Carolina state senator

Religion

  • Robert Lewis Dabney: American Theologian, Chief of Staff for Stonewall Jackson, biographer of Jackson, and Confederate Army Chaplain. Attended from circa 1835-1836, graduated from the University of Virginia.
  • A. Heath Light: fourth Episcopal Bishop of the Diocese of Southwest Virginia, Class of 1951.
  • Frank Clayton "Clay" Matthews: Bishop for the Office of Pastoral Development for the Episcopal Church, formerly Suffragan Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, Class of 1970.
  • Francis A. Schaeffer: Theologian, Philosopher, Presbyterian pastor; Most famous for writings and establishing the L'Abri community in Switzerland, author of A Christian Manifesto; Class of 1935.

Science and medicine

Sports

  • Tim Burke : Box Office/Call Center Manager for the Tampa Bay Rays, Class of 2003.
  • James C. Hickey III: Member, Fly Fishing Team USA, Class of 1993.
  • Bob Humphreys: Pro baseball player, Class of 1958.
  • Tom Miller: NFL player, assistant GM of Green Bay Packers and member of Packers' Hall of Fame, Class of 1943.
  • Ryan Silverfield: assistant coach of the Minnesota Vikings, Class of 2003
  • Russell D. Turner: assistant coach of the Golden State Warriors, Class of 1992.

Hampden-Sydney College competes in men's intercollegiate baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, and tennis.

The Princeton Review

The Princeton Review ranks Hampden-Sydney in their list of "Best 361 Colleges" in the following categories."[2]:

Rank List Category
#14 Professors Get High Marks Academics
#17 Professors Make Themselves Accessible Academics
#1 Alternative Lifestyles Not an Alternative Demographics
#15 Homogeneous Student Population Demographics
#20 Lots of Hard Liquor Parties
#10 Most Politically Active Politics
#5 Students Most Nostalgic For Reagan Politics

Hampden-Sydney was also rated as the preppiest school in America according to Lisa Birnbach of The Official Preppy Handbook. She also described HSC as "THE finishing school for Southern gentlemen".

References

External links

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