My trip to Hampden- Sydney over fall break left me with many fond memories that I will not soon forget. I’ll remember the physical beauty of the hilly campus, accentuated by the majestic trees and the leaves that had just started to change into their autumn colors. Likewise, I won’t soon forget the classroom atmosphere, and how surprisingly similar to Wabash I found it to be. The food in the cafeteria as well left me with a rather delicious imprint (I would have stayed longer just for the opportunity to eat at their cafeteria every day). And though these aspects (among many others) certainly were crucial in creating the feeling of admiration I now have for Hampden-Sydney, there is nonetheless one particular feature of the college that has byfar left the most profound imprint on my mind: the authentic and genuine hospitality given to the four of us.
The moment we got off the plane in Richmond and were picked up by Mr. Shomo and Jeremy-David (editor of the school newspaper), I realized how special the Hampden- Sydney man is. Both Mr. Shomo and Jeremy gave firm and honest handshakes, and I felt like they really were interested in me.
Walking around campus those two days was even more amazing. I assure you I am not exaggerating when I say that every person I passed by on campus smiled and said “hello” to me. When I would stop random students and ask if I could interview them, they were more than happy to do so. After I had asked them the questions I needed answered, they would continue to talk with me. Every single one of the nine or ten students I interviewed asked me questions. They were not just exchanging pleasantries; rather they were genuinely interested in getting to know me. Three of these students treated me to lunch or an afternoon drink after our interview, and they told me I was more than welcome to come by their rooms in the evening and hang out.
The administrators and faculty members I interviewed were the same as the students. All four of us remarked that when we told Classics professor and HSC legend John Brinkley that we had to leave for another interview (after an hour of discussion), he seemed genuinely disappointed. It was evident that the four of us were not a burden to him even though he was extremely busy. He really wanted to get to know us and help us out in whatever way he could.
Our interview with President Walter Borst was wonderful as well. As he was (and still is) extremely busy with a plethora of activities, such as vigorously traveling and raising money for the school, he could have easily just sat us down for five minutes, answered a few of our questions, and sent us on our way. He did just the opposite. He invited us into his office, where he answered all the questions we asked. And just like other members of the HSC community I interviewed, he asked us questions as well. He was genuinely interested in us and whether or not we were having the best possible experience on our visit. He even gave each one of us a Hampden-Sydney Victorinox Swiss-Army knife as we were leaving (which has already come in handy for me).
The trip ended with an interview with another HSC legend, former HSC president General Sam Wilson. Gen. Wilson’s credentials as a high-ranking member of the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency and the military are too numerous to even begain to mention. Three of us went to an advanced course he teaches on leadership, and as we left and thanked him for allowing us to visit he offered to talk with us all the next day. In talking with him, I felt like I was in the presence of a modern-day Plato. The immense wisdom Gen. Wilson not only possesses but is able to impart onto his students was amazing to witness. The fact that he made time to talk with us on such short notice was very special. He too was genuinely interested in us as people.
There were so many other interactions with Hampden- Sydney students and faculty that I wish I could mention, but word limits prevent me from doing so. I just hope that, with this article, I’m able to adequately describe the immense amount of warmth and generosity I received from Hampden-Sydney people during my brief stay there. Aeschylus said, “What is there more kindly than the feeling between host and guest?” I, for one, can’t think of anything after my experience at Hampden-Sydney, and I only hope that Jeremy-David and Michael feel the same way after visiting our campus.
Thank you, Hampden-Sydney.