Category: Student Profiles

Why did I choose H-SC?

When I took a tour of Hampden-Sydney during my senior year of high school, I got the opportunity to attend some of the classes that I was interested in taking. Since I graduated from a small private school, graduating with only 38 other students, I recognized that Hampden-Sydney would be able to provide me with a similar educational experience. For example, the small class sizes and close interactions that the students were able to have with the professors of the classes I attended resonated with me in a way that a larger state school did not.

With what activities have you been most engaged on campus?

In addition to serving as a Wilson Leadership Fellow, I am a tour guide for the Garnet and Grey Society, a peer advisor for a freshman advisory group, the president of the Mentoring Club, the chairman of the Student Court, a psychology tutor, the editor for the psychology section of the Journal of Sciences, an orientation and service leader, and a member of Omicron Delta Kappa and Psi Chi.

What have you enjoyed most about the Wilson Leadership Fellows Program?

The most meaningful component of my experience as a Wilson Leadership Fellow has definitely been the student-alumni pairings that the Fellows receive during their third year of the program. I was fortunate enough to be paired with Dave Wilson ’63, who has continuously provided me with knowledge about what to expect and how to navigate my life succeeding Hampden-Sydney. Not only has Dave taught me to pursue careers that I find particularly meaningful, but he has always made an effort to help me in any way possible.

How has the WLFP helped you grow as a person, student, and leader?

As a Wilson Fellow with a minor in Leadership in the Public Interest, examining leadership theory has contributed to my growth as a person, student, and leader. For instance, it is easy to fall victim to the misconception that leaders are born rather than created through continuous practice and implementation. By learning of this fallacy early in my academic career, I have taken risks and opportunities that I likely would not have otherwise. In doing so, I have been in numerous leadership positions that have required me to examine my own leadership style and even ethical judgements, something that is rare among most college students.

What are your current plans after Hampden-Sydney?

The million-dollar question that seems to frequently arise. I have several options that I am still attempting to decipher before graduation, but in an ideal world, my plans would include attending graduate school at The College of William and Mary for school psychology and beginning my career thereafter. I have always had a passion for working with children and adolescents, and as a psychology major, I think this route would provide me with a truly meaningful career that also integrates my passion for psychological research.

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Why I chose H-SC

I chose Hampden-Sydney because of the opportunity to grow in and outside of the classroom. The College’s academic programs and the commitment to carrying out the mission of forming “good men and good citizens in an atmosphere of sound learning” impressed me.

With what activities have you been most engaged on campus?

While attending Hampden-Sydney, I have been a Wilson Leadership Fellow and a member of the football team. I have also served as an orientation leader, TigerFund analyst, and shift manager at Tiger Rec.

What I have enjoyed most about the Wilson Center?

I have enjoyed hearing and learning from distinguished alumni and guests of the College. These events are always enjoyable, and they have had a positive impact on how I approach leadership.

How has the WLFP helped you grow as a person, student, or leader?

The WLFP has supported my personal growth by teaching me the right way to lead. The program spends a lot of time discussing the leader-follower relationship, specifically the need for leaders to understand their followers. I now approach leadership by first learning about who I will be working with and establishing a healthy leader-follower relationship. Another way the WLFP has helped me grow is through the mentoring program. Beginning in my junior year, I was matched with an alumnus. That relationship has given me additional confidence as I begin my career.

After Hampden-Sydney

After graduation, I plan to start my career in the finance sector.

• Why did you choose HSC?
  I chose Hampden-Sydney because I was looking for a smaller college that would provide me with opportunities to succeed. I came on an overnight visit my senior year of high school and immediately felt at home. I met some incredible people and wanted to develop the close relationships I saw on campus between students, alumni, faculty, and staff.

• What activities have you been engaged with on campus?
  In addition to serving as a Wilson Fellow, I am a member of the Garnet and Grey Society, the President’s Men, and the Pre-Health Society. I am in Alpha Epsilon Delta, a health pre-professional honor society. I have also served as the annotator and COVID-19 chair for the Sigma Chi Fraternity.

• What have you enjoyed most about the Wilson Leadership Fellows program?
  I have enjoyed meeting my fellow members in the program. It provided an environment to meet other leaders that have been in every organization I am involved with on campus. Now that my brother is a freshman in the program, I look forward to working with him at events, too.

• How has the WLFP helped you grow as a person, student, or leader?
  The program has allowed me to examine leadership through a different lens than I did in the past. We get to talk about leadership in an academic setting and practice what we have learned in a controlled environment. I have also had amazing mentors through the program who have improved my overall college experience.

• What are your plans after HSC?
  Following graduation, I plan on going to medical school.

• Why did you choose HSC?
  When applying to colleges, I never expected one to show as much interest in me as Hampden-Sydney did. I felt like part of the brotherhood through the interactions that I had during my first visit. The close-knit environment makes the campus seem less like a college campus and more like community. There is no other college that delivers this atmosphere of brotherhood. 
• What activities have you been engaged with on campus?
  In addition to serving as a Wilson Leadership Fellow, I am president of the Pre-Law Society, vice president of the Outsiders Club, associate editor of The Tiger, a resident advisor, a peer advisor for a freshman advisory group, chairman of the Orientation and Service Leaders, a member of the Brother for Brother program, and a junior member of UPLS.
• What have you enjoyed most about the Wilson Leadership Fellows program?
  What I have enjoyed most about the program is the small group conversations. Being able to hold conversations with fellow students has helped expand my understanding of leadership. 
• How has the WLFP helped you grow as a person, student, or leader?
  The WLFP and the Intro to Leadership course have helped sharpen my ideals. The program introduced me to ways and beliefs that have helped me grow as a Hampden-Sydney man. As I have assumed positions of leadership throughout my time in college, the program has become a stepping-stone to becoming a better leader. The instructors within the program have expanded my knowledge in leader-follower relations and defining my role as a leader.
• What are your plans after HSC?
  I plan to pursue a Master of Public Administration degree with a concentration in social policy; I also hope to attend law school in the later future. I am excited that Hampden-Sydney and the Wilson Center have established formal relationships with programs at Cornell, Pepperdine, and Batten at UVA. I plan to look at all three programs closely.