Wilson Center Newsletter, October 2011

ROTC Program

We have a long tradition stretching back to 1775 of our men serving our nation in the military.  Today is no different as we have alumni from our Army ROTC Program serving around the world in a number of different locations.  At this difficult time in our nation's history, we need our "best and brightest" to serve.

     Hampden-Sydney is one of six schools affiliated with the University of Richmond ROTC Program.  The focus of ROTC is leadership development while educating and preparing college students to become Army officers.  Hampden-Sydney students started participating in ROTC back in the late 1970's.  To date, 47 of our graduates have been commissioned through our program.  Over the past 10 years they have served our nation with distinction in a number of diverse and challenging assignments in both Iraq and Afghanistan.  To a man, they all extol the virtues of their Hampden-Sydney education and how it prepared them to deal with the ambiguities of the world. 

     This fall we have 30 students enrolled in the program.  Nine of them are on ROTC scholarships.  An ROTC Scholarship covers tuition, fees, books, and a monthly stipend.  Currently, one is worth over $37,000 a year for a Hampden-Sydney student.  We commissioned two students from the Class of '11 and are projected to commission four more from the Class of '12 this coming graduation.

     This fall our ROTC Program is formally on campus.  The renovation of the Wilson Center has provided office space, storage space, and a classroom for our cadets to utilize.  For the first time, we are offering a section of Military Science 101 on campus at the Wilson Center.

Lt. Col. Rucker Snead                                    
Director of Career Development & ROTC Advisor

Cadet Joshua Gaskill '15