Letter from the Director
Our Wilson Leadership Fellows and students in our Leadership in the Public Interest and National Security Studies minors possess a staggering array of interests and talents, and I am constantly amazed at the ways they succeed in multiple arenas. For example, this fall six fellows participated in the Hampden-Sydney Theater production, seven fellows helped re-start the campus pep band, and nine fellows sang in the Hampden-Sydney Chorus. Wilson Center students were elected to the Student Court and College Activity Committee, selected to compete on the Ethics Bowl team, and served in important roles on nearly every athletics team. They are getting the most from their Hampden-Sydney experience and we are proud of them!
Here are some specific examples of our Wilson Center students’ campus involvement:
- A member of the H-SC Chorus heads the Madisonian Society and plans to double major in Spanish and Biology
- A star basketball player plans to become a computer scientist
- A member of the pep band endeavors to serve in our national security/diplomatic apparatus
- An ROTC cadet serves as head of the College’s radio station
- Another ROTC cadet and Wilson Fellow played a prominent role in the fall production of One Man, Two Guvnors
- Another Wilson Fellow was appointed to his city’s Historic Preservation Commission; he also serves as treasurer of his social fraternity on campus
These experiences represent the very best of the liberal arts educational model, as success in all of these areas requires mastering differing skill sets; developing the habits of practice, reflection, and patience; and building an increased sense of self-awareness and empathy.
Furthermore, each Wilson Center session, program, class, or excursion is designed to encourage our students’ personal growth. They learn about the rights and responsibilities of American citizenship, leadership in diverse contexts, civil discourse and ethical leadership—the bedrock values of our Wilson Leadership Fellows Program. Our students don’t just learn these concepts—they practice them every day.
These “men of character” will be better prepared to serve and lead “lives of consequence” because of their experiences at Hampden-Sydney College and the Wilson Center.
We invite you to visit and engage with our fellows by attending an event in Washington or coming to a program on campus. It promises to be an action-packed and fun semester, and we would love to have you!
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Thank you,
Dr. Ryan Pemberton ‘00
Director of the Wilson Center for Leadership in the Public Interest
Wilson Center in Washington DC!
The Wilson Center has big events planned in Washington this spring!
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Wilson Center Fall 2019 Visit to the Hill
Wilson Center students traveled to the Hill this fall.
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Wilson Center making news!
The Wilson Center was featured in a national podcast at the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) thanks to former Trustee and former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Political-Military Affairs, John Hillen.
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Spring Program Schedule
Come back to campus to engage with these fantastic speakers and programs this semester!
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