The Opening Convocation ceremony on the lawn of Venable Hall kicked off the 2019-2020 academic year on Tuesday, August 27.
During the ceremony, College officials presented a number of awards to students in recognition of academic and extracurricular excellence:
Elijah Wayne Strong ’20 received the President's Award for Overall Academic Excellence.
Garnett Sinclair Crocker ’20 received the President's Award for Academic Excellence in Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
Benjamin Alexander Mogren ’20 received the President's Award for Academic Excellence in Social Sciences.
Thomas McGregor Rolf ’20 received the President's Award for Academic Excellence in Humanities.
Matthew Christian Rehak ’21 received the President's Award for Scholarship and Character.
James Tyler Howerton ’21 received the Samuel S. Jones Phi Beta Kappa Award, given to the junior with the highest cumulative grade point average.
Rhett Christian Andersen ’21 received the Samuel S. Jones Phi Beta Kappa Award, given to the junior with the second highest cumulative grade point average.
James Scott Pittman ’22 received the Omicron Delta Kappa Award, given to a member of the sophomore class who demonstrated real leadership potential during his freshman year.
We need all of our students to engage in those experiences—in or out of our classrooms—that push them out of their comfort zone and provide them with moments of encounter.
President Larry Stimpert
Following the presentation of awards, College President Larry Stimpert offered a Convocation Address in which he explored student potential. “We need all of our students to engage in those experiences—in or out of our classrooms—that push them out of their comfort zone and provide them with moments of encounter.” Two factors greatly help students to realize their full potential: mentorship and experiences outside of one’s comfort zone. Compass, the College’s experiential learning initiative, requires that every Hampden-Sydney student have both. “With Compass, let us look forward to academic years, semesters, summers, and breaks that are filled with encounters that help ‘to lead out’ or ‘to bring forth’ the potential of every Hampden-Sydney student and set his heart aflame,” Stimpert concluded.
In addition to President Stimpert, Dean of Students Robert Sabbatini and President of the Student Body Benton Anderson ’20, also offered remarks to the assembled students, faculty, and staff.
During the ceremony, College officials presented a number of awards to students in recognition of academic and extracurricular excellence: