Congratulations to the inaugural class of Wilson Leadership Fellows; Wilson Center welcomes author David French to honor first class of Fellows
On April 19 the first class of Wilson Leadership Fellows was honored at the annual spring banquet. Students in the four-year co-curricular leadership program, national security studies minor, and leadership in the public interest minor were also recognized. Noted columnist David French congratulated the seniors and then gave a public talk about the positive traits of masculinity in our republic.
Henry Hitt was awarded the James Y. Simms National Security Award, whichis presented annually to a graduating seniorwho has successfully completed the requirements of thenational security studies minor at Hampden-Sydney College; who has demonstrated leadership and service; and whose integrity and excellence of character reflect those qualities as evidenced in the life of James Y. Simms.
Hitt, from Annapolis, MD, graduated magna cum laude with a degree in foreign affairs and a minor in national security studies. He completed the Marine Platoon Leaders Course and was commissioned at graduation as a Marine second lieutenant; upon completion of Basic School he will report to Navy Flight School after signing an aviation contract. He served as the peer leader of the other eight Marine Officer Candidates on campus and his thesis—The Need for the US Marine Corps to Continue Evolving into a Future Fighting Force as China Becomes a Military Superpower—was viewed as exceptional work by his faculty.
Hitt also served as a captain and four-year starter with the lacrosse team. He was selected to the Second Team All-ODAC and the ODAC All-Academic Team in 2020-2021. Finally, Hitt also served as a key leader in the Semper Fi Society and the Future Military Officers Club.
Congratulations to each of our graduates in the national security studies minor!
John Jacob Baker
Aleksey Liam Burleson
Samuel Pierce Carmine
Noah Shawn Dowdy
Henry Bolton Hitt
Robert Owen Hundley
William Campbell Karslake
Charles Presley William Miller
Jalen Todd Patteson
Zachary Ian Richman
Jackson Hall Robertson
Jason William Tyree (military leadership and national security studies minor)
Ian Lichacz was awarded the Harvey B. Morgan Public Service Award, which is presented annually to a graduating senior who successfully completed the requirements of the leadership in the public interest minor at Hampden-Sydney College, who demonstrated an interest in public service at the local or state level, and whose integrity and excellence of character reflect those qualities as evidenced in the life of Harvey B. Morgan ’52.
Ian Lichacz majored in history and earned a leadership in the public interest minor. He was elected to the Student Senate, served as a leader in both his fraternity—Delta Kappa Epsilon—and in the College Republicans. Lichacz also served as a member of the Garnet and Grey Society and as an executive officer in student government. Off campus, he served as an aide to State Senator Bill DeSteph and was appointed to the Virginia Beach Historic Preservation Committee. He was named one of the 100 People to Meet by the Virginia Business Magazine in 2021—the only college student to earn such recognition. Lichacz now serves as an aide to Jason Miyares, attorney general for the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Congratulations to each of our students who earned a minor in the leadership in the public interest minor!
Jackson Richard Aherron
Daniel Stuart Beal
Lucio Jose Chavez
William Coulbourn Hayes
James Aubrey Hill
Khalil Johnston
Ian Baker Lichacz
Brian Keith Marks
Matthew Alexander Marsh
Coleman Bradner Meadows
Samuel Grey Metersky
Joseph David Naggy
John Kimberly Whitmore
Alexander Zorko
A new award was created to honor a single standout graduate from the Wilson Leadership Fellows class. The award will be presented annually to a graduating senior who successfully completes the requirements of the Wilson Leadership Fellows program, who best demonstrates a commitment to the program, and who exhibits constructive leadership based on the foundational program pillars of active citizenship, civil discourse, ethical decision making, and leadership in diverse contexts. It is important to note the winner is determined solely by a vote of graduating peers.
This inaugural recipient is Coleman Meadows, a native of Gretna, Virginia. Meadows majored in psychology earned a minor in leadership in the public interest. He served as a tour guide for the Garnet and Grey Society, a peer advisor for a freshman advisory group, the president of the Mentoring Club, a psychology tutor, the editor for the psychology section of the Journal of Sciences, an orientation and service leader, and an elected member of the Student Court. For the last year, he has served as the chairman of the Student Court. Meadows was a standout in the classroom and graduated with highest honors. He presented original research at an academic conference in California and received the Anna Carrington Harrison Award at graduation, which is presented to a single senior who demonstrated outstanding and constructive leadership. Meadows plans to serve as a school psychologist and was awarded a prestigious graduate assistantship to begin graduate work at George Mason University.
Congratulations to the following young men who were part of the inaugural class of Wilson Leadership Fellows!
Jackson Richard Aherron
Michael David Edward Armen
John Jacob Baker
Daniel Stuart Beal
Lucio Jose Chavez
Jason Daniel Covaney
Jordan Malachi Fields
Ian Patrick Fitzgerald
Jonathan Christopher Goff
Josh Alexander Hall
William Coulbourn Hayes
Arthur Leighton Holm
Khalil Johnston
Stephen Hochschild
Raymond Willis Leblanc
Ian Baker Lichacz
Brian Keith Marks
Matthew Alexander Marsh
Hunter Leigh Martin
Samuel David McLean
Coleman Bradner Meadows
Samuel Grey Metersky
James Callahan Mitchell
Erik Toivo Rasmussen
Jackson Matthew Reames
Matthew William Schultz
Morton Calloway Shelton
Andrew Augustus Smith
James Wesley Taylor
Jason William Tyree
Michael Lawrence Van Citters
Alexander Zorko
Each graduating senior was recognized at the banquet. However, we accidentally failed to include Jason William Tyree and Alexander Zorko as two graduating seniors who earned minors coordinated by the Wilson Center. This was an unintentional mistake for which we apologize profusely. Both young men were outstanding students and Wilson Fellows. We deeply appreciate their hard work and presence; the program is stronger because of their engagement.