Pamela Fox, Professor of Fine Arts
Professor Fox is retiring after 31 years of dedicated teaching at Hampden-Sydney College. She first arrived on campus in 1993 as a sabbatical replacement and quickly developed a deep appreciation for the College. Initially serving as an adjunct professor for several years, she later applied for and was appointed to a full-time, permanent position—marking the beginning of a long and impactful career on the Hill.
During her time at the College, Professor Fox has been deeply involved in a variety of areas, with her most meaningful contributions focused on strengthening the Department of Fine Arts and its presence on campus. Reflecting on that work, she shares, “I’ve served on many committees over the years, but my most significant involvement beyond the classroom has been helping to develop our ever-evolving arts program. It’s been incredibly rewarding to watch the department’s co-curricular offerings grow—from exhibitions and visiting artists to lectures and performances. Everyone in the department has devoted countless hours outside of class to foster this growth and build a vibrant arts community on campus.”
As the older sister to her brothers, Professor Fox has long embraced the role of mentor and teacher to young men—a role that naturally continued in her classrooms at Hampden-Sydney. She describes feeling like “one of the guys” while teaching and finds great joy in helping her students develop their artistic skills and vision. Watching their growth unfold in the studio—and seeing them encourage and support one another in the creative process—has been both gratifying and delightful. Professor Fox also valued the opportunity to teach a variety of Compass courses, often in collaboration with the local community. These included co-teaching two courses at Piedmont Regional Jail with Professor of Rhetoric Claire Deal, as well as a project with Habitat for Humanity. She fondly recalls many memorable moments, including co-teaching an art and literature course with Elliott Professor of English Evan Davis, where students were tasked with inventing, writing about, and secretly installing a convincing hoax somewhere on campus.
Alongside the many fond memories she’s made over the years, Professor Fox has also carried away meaningful lessons from her time on the Hill. As a female professor in all-male classrooms, she’s engaged in countless thoughtful conversations with her students—interactions that have not only deepened her connection to teaching but also encouraged her to explore new creative directions and continue growing as both an artist and an individual. Reflecting on that journey, she encourages students to remain open to new experiences and to enjoy the process of learning, reminding them that there are always opportunities to reconnect with themselves and their evolving interests.
Though she will continue creating art and teaching at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Professor Fox says she will miss interacting with Hampden-Sydney students daily: “I love our guys. Together, we’ve had such an exhilarating and creative time. Fortunately, I stay in touch with many alumni, and I imagine Hampden-Sydney students will always be a part of my life.”
Marcus Pendergrass, Associate Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science
Dr. Pendergrass is retiring after 20 years of teaching at Hampden-Sydney College, a journey that began in 2005 through an unexpected connection at a Longwood University mathematics colloquium. After a presentation by former Hampden-Sydney professors Robb Koether and John Osoinach—then members of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science—Dr. Pendergrass introduced himself and shared a few thoughts on their work. That conversation quickly led to weekly research meetings, a co-authored paper, and a tenure-track position at Hampden-Sydney.
During his time at the College, Dr. Pendergrass describes his experience as both productive and rewarding. After earning tenure in 2011, his research began to focus on applying mathematical techniques to music analysis and composition. This interest shaped the direction of his Applied Mathematics (MATH 345) course and led to numerous opportunities to mentor talented students through summer research and honors projects. Many of these students went on to present their work at Hampden-Sydney and regional and national conferences—experiences Dr. Pendergrass considers among the highlights of his career.
Over the years, Dr. Pendergrass has developed a deep appreciation for Hampden-Sydney’s mission: to form good men and good citizens in an atmosphere of sound learning. “I’ve been privileged to take part in our community’s ongoing conversations about what it truly means to be a good man and a good citizen,” Pendergrass says. “Those discussions have been part of the College’s foundation for 250 years and have played a significant role in shaping the institution we know today.” As he looks ahead, Dr. Pendergrass hopes to see the College continue to thrive for the next 250 years and beyond.
The Hampden-Sydney community will deeply miss Dr. Pendergrass—not only for his dedication to teaching but also for the meaningful connections he formed with students. Through his thoughtful mentorship and thorough teaching, Dr. Pendergrass leaves behind a lasting legacy. His impact will continue to resonate through the students he guided, his research, and the example he set as a passionate educator.