The Record

December 2012

The Man Who Loved Hampden-Sydney
Friends and former students remember John L. Brinkley ’59
by John Dudley '95

His good friend and schoolmate The Rev. Dr. Edgar C. Mayse '57 says, "The first time I saw John, I knew right away that he was not going to be the typical freshman at Hampden-Sydney College. He was walking with a cane, with that air that said he had always walked with a cane. He was a character from the day he entered the College, and he knew it." As a student, his confidence, intelligence, and conviviality helped him make many friends and work his way into many facets of campus life. He must have felt an instant connection with this College in the woods and the young men who came here. As quickly as he could after graduating, he returned to teach and never left.

Those same characteristics that made him a unique student made him an equally unique professor. Yes, he sometimes threw pieces of chalk at students, but they were usually small pieces. However, he also rewarded students for particularly insightful comments or answers-first nickels, then quarters.

To many students, Professor Brinkley appeared gruff and unapproachable, but this was not the real man. Yes, he was demanding but he understood the value of working through adversity. Those who got to know him personally, either through fraternity life, classroom discussions, or just a common interest happened upon during a brief chat-those people found a man with a great appreciation for learning, for life, for humor, and for people.

After John Brinkley died, many of his closest friends and former students wanted to share their memories of the man who had a tremendous influence in their lives. By reading these memories, hopefully you too will get a better understanding of what made "Brinks" such a big part of this little college. Full Story...

 

Alumni in journalism
Three Hampden-Sydney graduates put their skills to work in this fast-paced field
by John Dudley ’95

For decades at Hamdpen-Sydney College, writing has been the focus of the learning process. If our students can clearly explain in written form the ideas discussed in class and in readings, we believe they understand these ideas. If they can persuasively construct written arguments, we believe they have considered multiple perspectives to find truth.

Student writing at the College is not limited to English class and the social sciences; our students write extensively in classes such as chemistry, physics, and computer science, too.

As students transition into their careers, they use their writing skills to varying degrees. An insurance salesman may not write during the workday as much as an attorney. A veteranarian might write much more than we expect. Some Hampden-Sydney alumni, because of their experience writing and their comfort with composition, become the de facto writers of their organization. We can say without a shadow of a doubt, though, that some Hampden-Sydney graduates love writing and are putting their education to great use. Among them are journalists, including Walter Miller '72, a writer/producer at CNN; Matthew Karnitschnig '94, Germany Bureau Chief for The Wall Street Journal; and Matthew Philips '07, an associate editor at Bloomberg Businessweek. Full Story...

 

 

 

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