The ceremony not only celebrated individual and group achievements but also underscored the collective commitment of the Hampden-Sydney community to making a meaningful impact on and off the Hill.
With service to others as a core component to forming good men and good citizens, the 250-Hour Service Challenge exemplifies what members of the Hampden-Sydney community can accomplish together. Since the challenge began last semester, more than 7,500 hours have been logged and an economic impact of $252,000 has been made in the surrounding community, a testament to the dedication and impact of those involved. As part of the Tigers Serve program—now in its 11th year—this challenge highlights how service continues to enrich the student experience and make a lasting difference on and off the Hill.
“Service has been more than just a component of my professional responsibilities—it has been a guiding principle throughout my life,” says Director of Student Affairs Operations, Orientation, and Civic Engagement Sandy Cooke. “In my role at the College, service is woven into the very fabric of what I do—supporting students in their growth as leaders, scholars, and responsible citizens. The Tigers Serve program exemplifies this mission. It’s more than a series of volunteer projects; it’s a cultural touchstone that fosters empathy, accountability, and connection among our students. Watching them discover their ability to effect positive change has only reinforced my belief that service is both transformative and sustaining.”
Following opening remarks from Dean of Students Richard Pantele ’13—who underscored the vital role of civic engagement in fulfilling the College’s mission to form good men and good citizens—President Larry Stimpert reflected on the significance of service and the lasting impact of servant leadership before honoring students and organizations for their exemplary service and leading the presentation of service pins. Dakota Fink ’27 and Evan Stang ’25 were honored for completing more than 250 hours of service, exemplifying Hampden-Sydney’s commitment to serving others. Several student organizations also rose to the occasion, including Orientation and Service Leaders, Hampden-Sydney Volunteer Fire & Rescue, Garnet and Grey, Wilson Center Fellows, Hampden-Sydney Football, Pre-Health Society, Chi Alpha, Minority Student Union, Hampden-Sydney Cross Country, Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity, Hampden-Sydney Community Theater Outreach, and Theta Chi fraternity. Their work spanned a wide range of impactful projects, including the Big Event, Taking Flight Bike Project, Hatteras Fall Break Trip, Adopt-a-Highway Program, FACES Food Pantry, Hampden-Sydney Volunteer Fire & Rescue, Rise Against Hunger food-packing event, BEAT Macon Blood Drive, the tree planting at Farmville’s splash pad, and more.
“As we reflect on the impact of this past years’ service efforts, it's clear that the Tigers Serve Program is a movement that is shaping the culture of Hampden-Sydney College,” Cooke says. “Looking to the future, Tigers Serve stands poised to grow even deeper in its reach and broader in its impact, continuing to transform the student experience while strengthening the College’s ties to the community. As long as we continue to lead with purpose and serve with heart, the best is yet to come.”
Service remains a vibrant and enduring part of life at Hampden-Sydney, with our community consistently rising to meet the needs of others. Through strong partnerships within the community, our students, faculty, and staff are not just making a meaningful impact—they are developing essential skills that will benefit themselves and the community at large. As Hampden-Sydney looks to the future, this commitment to service will continue to form good men and good citizens for another 250 years and generations to come.