More Support Needed for the Hampden-Sydney Fund

Those who know Hampden-Sydney College often think of it as a safe haven from the rest of the world; however, the College has not been immune to the effects of recent economic uncertainty. Scholarships are increasingly important as parents face the financial realities of their son's college education. At the same time, our own operating expenses have increased. We have made some difficult decisions this year to balance our budget-something we are proud to have done for 32 years. We are grateful to everyone who came forward in these difficult times to support our best tradition: providing an excellent academic experience.

During the 2009-2010 fiscal year, The Hampden-Sydney Fund met its goal and exceeded the previous year's total. More than $2.099 million was raised for unrestricted, budget-relieving needs. Nonetheless, for the third year in a row, the percentage of contributing alumni fell and is now below 30%. Reversing this trend is an important goal for the coming year, as the percentage of alumni participation affects foundation and corporate giving, our ranking among other colleges, and the message sent to current and prospective students about how Hampden-Sydney College alumni regard their alma mater.

The Hampden-Sydney Fund provides money for a multitude of annual expenses, such as scholarships, student research projects, instructional tools, and faculty and staff salaries, as well as facilities maintenance and athletic programs. It is one of the three key funding sources for the budget, along with endowment earnings and tuition and fees. Of those sources, The Hampden-Sydney Fund is the one over which our alumni have significant influence.