Category: Summer 2019

Wilson Center students continue to have wonderful summer opportunities!

The Wilson Center’s global internship program has its roots in the James Madison Public Service Certificate Program that took shape in the early 1990s.  This program was started by legendary Hampden-Sydney professor, Dr. David Marion.  Dr. Marion continues to teach and help connect students and alumni.  Over the last three decades, students enrolled in Wilson Center academic and co-curricular programs have interned with governmental, non-profit, and non-governmental organizations on every continent except Antarctica, as well as across the United States from Virginia to California, and from the southern tip of Florida to New England.  This summer, Wilson Center students, including pre-law students, have secured internships in Prague and Copenhagen, Raleigh and Las Vegas, Atlanta and Washington (DC), among other places.

After spending last summer on Capitol Hill, Conner Francis ‘20 will intern with the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), while Alex Parham ‘21 will join U.S. Senator Tim Kaine’s summer staff in Washington.  Ben Mogren ‘20 will spend the summer in Connecticut, interning in the legal shop of Discovery Capital Management (founded by College Trustee Robert Citrone ’87), while Nick Hinckle will be assisting officials in Prince Edward County (VA) with the development of a comprehensive emergency services plan.  Brandon Koch ‘20 and JD Allen ‘20 will be acquainting themselves with the ins-and-out of the financial service sector and the activities of small and mid-size law firms.  And several ROTC students who are enrolled in the national security studies minor will be satisfying military obligations this summer in advance of being commissioned during in the spring of 2020 or 2021.  If you are interested in hosting or supporting a student intern, please call Dr. Ryan Pemberton ’00 at (434) 223-6212.

The Wilson Center hosted numerous events across a broad range of topics during the 2018-2019 academic year; here is a glimpse of the programs brought to campus.

The Reverend Brian McVey ’90, Rector of Church of the Advent in Nashville, discussed the issue of human trafficking in our country.

Thomas McDaniel ’63, former provost and interim president at Converse College in Spartanburg, SC, was our Founder’s Day speaker and discussed the future of single sex education.

Dr. Warner Winborne ’88, associate professor of government and foreign affairs, presented a seminar on Harry S. Truman and his policies in Korea as part of our President’s Day celebration.

Craig Osth ’73 provided the annual Military Leadership & National Security Studies lecture and Chris Stirewalt ’97 regaled the audience with excerpts from his new book, Every Man a King.

Bryan Dickerson, father of Jack Dickerson ’19, spoke to students about his career in the Navy and as Chief Pilot for Delta.  We also hosted many other leaders and scholars throughout the year who celebrated Constitution Day, discussed the impacts of the government shutdown, and analyzed the leadership style of Vladimir Putin.

But the highlight of the year occurred on February 6^th when the General Assembly honored the life and extraordinary service of Lt. General Wilson with HB 37.  Read More…

Giving Day was a wonderful success for the College and Wilson Center!

In a fantastic show of support, 1147 donors gave an amazing $638,018 to the College on May 1.  Alumni and friends were also exceptionally supportive of the Wilson Center.  132 supporters gave a total of $42,776.  That generosity will be used to directly support students and the programs that provide them with the grounded theory and practical experience needed to serve others throughout their lives.  This support helps the College prepare “men of character for lives of consequence.”  We are humbled by and grateful for this generosity.  If you have yet to do so, please consider making a gift to the Wilson Center today!  Please call Dr. Ryan Pemberton ’00 at (434) 223-6212.

Make your gift today

Each year those associated with the Wilson Center gather to celebrate our graduates and to honor the recipients of the James Madison and Patrick Henry awards.  These banquets are always meaningful events as our students hear from role models who have lived lives of exemplary service.

The following students completed requirements for the Leadership in the Public interest and Public Service Certificate Programs, developed in the early 1990s for students interested in careers focused on selfless service.

Congratulations to:
Marcus Salim Ayoub
Reed Allen Cooper
Hollis Lee Jennings
Jacob York Mitchell
Greyson David Nelson
Edwin Carroll Saunders
Nicholas David Steen

The Harvey B. Morgan Public Service Award is presented annually to a graduating senior who has successfully completed the requirements of the Public Service Program at Hampden-Sydney College, who has 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 D. Morgan ‘52.

Congratulations to the 2019 recipient, Jacob York Mitchell!

The following students completed requirements for the Military Leadership and National Security Studies Certificate Program, founded in 2005 as an interdisciplinary program to support students interested in the study of national security and military leadership.

Congratulations to:
Tyler Marion Blevins
Craig Byram Cantley
Nathaniel Russell Dracon
Steven Ramsey Hall
Robert Trent Jacobs
Jack Henry James
Justin Scott Jarrett
Hollis Lee Jennings
Lee Christian Penninger
Conor Philip Roberson
Austin Baines Salmon

Each year the James Y. Simms National Security Studies Award is presented to a graduating senior who has excelled in the field of national security studies. The award is presented to a graduating senior who has successfully completed the requirements of the Military Leadership and National Security Studies Program 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.

Congratulations to the 2019 recipient, Steven Ramsey Hall!

The James Madison award is presented annually to an alumnus or friend for distinguished service on behalf of the College and Wilson Center.  The two 2019 award winners are part of the very fabric of the College.  Both spent their careers teaching young men not just facts and figures but of how to live lives committed to service and how to act with character.  Congratulations to:

Dr. Lewis Harrison Drew ’60, Dean of Students 1970-2000 and Ronald L. Heinemann, Squires Emeritus Professor of History.  Ed West ’92, Chairman of the Wilson Center Board of Advisors, presented Dean Drew’s award, and Dr. James Y. Simms, Wilson Center Fellow and Emeritus Professor of History, presented Dr. Heinemann’s award.

The Patrick Henry Award is presented annually to an alumnus who has distinguished himself in a career in public service.  Congratulations to the Honorable Herbert C. Gill, Jr. ’65 who served as a Circuit Court Judge for 27 years.  Judge Gill was presented by his classmate and friend Mr. John M. Boswell ’65.