ARCHIVE of the News from the President

 News from the President

On March 6, Dr. Christopher Howard addressed more than 300 guests in attendance at the public start of a $25 million campaign for The Fessenden School in West Newton, MA.

A Fessenden Trustee and parent of two young Fessy alumni, Dr. Howard shared insight on the role of character in an all-boys’ education and the vital importance of social, financial, and human capital to educational institutions such as Fessenden and Hampden-Sydney.

On Tuesday, March 9, President Christopher Howard and son, Cohen, visited with U.S. Senator Mark Warner of Virginia at his Capitol Hill office.

President Howard and Senator Warner discussed legislation to revise the Pell Grant and to shift all student loans to the U.S. government.  President Howard stressed the fact that private colleges like H-SC play as critical a role as public universities in offering students “tickets to the American Dream.”  

Dr. Howard noted that H-SC is a viable option for community college students, military personnel using their Post-9/11 GI Bill, and all non-traditional students committed to a rigorous course of study.  Dr. Howard quipped, “Hampden-Sydney is a private college with a PUBLIC purpose!” 

On February 26, President Christopher Howard appeared on Carolina Business Review, the longest running and most widely watched syndicated program on business and industry in the Carolinas. 

The Broadcast

On February 25, at the Library of Virginia, President Christopher Howard was honored as one of the 2010 African American Trailblazers in Virginia History.

On Tuesday, February 23, President Christopher Howard was interviewed on CNN by Ali Velshi, CNN's chief business correspondent.

The Interview

President Christopher Howard's new book Money Makers is now available.

http://dukechronicle.com/article/duke-grad-pens-book-business

On February 12, President Christopher Howard spoke at a school assembly marking the 40th anniversary of integration at Woodberry Forest School.  Dr. Howard is pictured with Wayne Booker '78, the first African-American to attend Woodberry Forest, and Woodberry Forest headmaster, Dennis Campbell.  Wayne Booker attended Hampden-Sydney after graduation from Woodberry Forest and later received his BA from the University of Maine at Presque.

On January 23 in Williamsburg, VA, President Christopher Howard addressed the meeting of the Virginia Association of Independent Schools.

In response to questions following his remarks, Dr. Howard spoke of the importance of moving diversity from the legal to the personal.  "The laws are in place, but I wonder why we [people of different races] don't hang out."  According to Dr. Howard, "Some of this is as much a matter of socio-economic class, education, and status as it is of race."  In helping disadvantaged young people succeed, "we need to remember that those who have know how to get more, but those without don't even know what the game is all about."

Dr. Howard was asked about school service projects, often required.  "I think it is important that you not live your life never knowing that over the next hill or 'across the tracks' there is someone very different from you...[but] required service projects can breed something that is cynical - just checking off that box for gradaution...interaction between people must foster a spirit of respect."

On January 18, Hampden-Sydney First Lady Barbara Howard was the keynote speaker at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Commemoration at the Arthur Ashe Center in Richmond, Virginia.

Mrs. Howard, a native of South Africa, told the crowd of 1000 of growing up under apartheid.  "She cast her first ballot for [Nelson] Mandela along with her mother and grandmother - three generations voting for the first time together."

Mrs. Howard, who has always had mentors, said, "people in the community must assume that role if the dream of King...is to be furthered."

Photograph from the Richmond Times-Dispatch

President Christopher Howard has been named one of the 2010 African American Trailblazers in Virginia History by the Library of Virginia. "The men and women featured as Trailblazers offer powerful examples of individuals who refuse to be defined by their circumstances.  Their biographies are a testament to the determination and perseverance displayed by extraordinary people during challenging times."

The recognition ceremony will be on Thursday, February 25.

On Saturday, January 16, President Christopher Howard served as a Working Group moderator at the Winter Conference of the Truman National Security Project in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Howard moderated the session Strategic Alliances: Effective Engagement or Abandoning Allies and Befriending Dictators?  "From missile defense to shaking hands with Chavez, conservatives are convinced that this administration has abandoned longstanding U.S. allies and cozied up to some of our greatest enemies.  What will it take to demonstrate the strategic value of engagement?"

On Thursday, January 14, Dr. Howard spent the afternoon at Fort Lee meeting with members of the Army Education Center to discuss how Hampden-Sydney can play an active role in the continuing education of soldiers and soldiers’ children.

After enjoying a couple of glazed Dunkin’ Donuts in the late afternoon, he joined the Petersburg Alumni club for a formal dinner to recruit the next generation of Hampden-Sydney Men from the Petersburg area.

On January 11, Dr. Brian Blount, President of Union-Presbyterian School of Christian Education, visited President Christopher Howard.  Dr. Howard presented Dr. Blount with a copy of On This Hill, John Brinkley's history of Hampden-Sydney College. 

According to Mr. Brinkley, "Since 1806 Hanover Presbytery...had been working...to organize and establish 'a theological library and school at Hampden-Sidney College'...The [Presbytery] asked the Hampden-Sydney Board...to receive in joint trust subscriptions for a 'Theological Library and School of Divinity at the College.'  The Board complied, and in 1808 took a further step: it elected [Moses] Hoge Professor of Theology, charged with supervision of 'The Theological Library of Hampden-Sidney College.' "  Hoge was President of Hampden-Sydney College from 1807 to 1820.

The early intertwined relationship of the College and the Seminary are somewhat difficult to sort out.  Union sets it founding date as 1812, the year the Synod approved a seminary to be located at Hampden-Sydney.  According to Mr. Brinkley, "...the Seminary died with Hoge in 1820."  In 1822, John Holt Rice accepted the presidency of a revived seminary and the dual responsibilities of the president of the College ended.   The first portion of the Seminary building (now Venable Hall) was begun in 1824.  In 1829 the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church assumed control of the Seminary.  The removal to Richmond was in 1898.

President Christopher Howard was recently interviewed by The Dallas Morning News.  

For Plano Senior High alum, being first is nothing new  

On Friday, December 18, the Howards -- Chris, Barbara, Cohen, and Joshua -- welcomed Hampden-Sydney faculty and staff and community members to Middlecourt for the annual Christmas party.

Hampden-Sydney Board Chairman Thomas N. Allen '60 was named Volunteer of the Year by the Central Virginia Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)  at its National Philanthropy Day Luncheon on November 18, 2009.  The AFP represents over 30,000 members in 205 chapters throughout the world, working to advance philanthropy and secure funds to support worthy causes.  Mr. Allen was co-nominated for the prestigious award by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and Hampden-Sydney College for his unfailing generosity and unflagging energy in support of  the Museum, the College, and other organizations in Virginia and beyond.

Left to right: Alex Nyerges, Director of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts; Thomas N. Allen, Chairman of the H-SC Board of Trustees; Alan R. Hutson, Jr., President of the Central Virginia Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals; and Christopher B. Howard, President of Hampden-Sydney College. 

On December 13, Mrs. Barbara Howard and son, Josh, attended a party to mark the third night of Hanukkah.  The party was organized by Professor Saranna Thorton and other members of the Farmville Jewish community.

In the picture Josh lights the Shamash candle on the Menorah.

On every Menorah there are nine branches. Eight for the eight nights of Hanukkah, and the ninth branch holds the Shamash candle. The word Shamash literally means "the attendant." The extra candle is used to light the actual Hanukkah candles because it is forbidden to use one Hanukkah candle to light another. 

On Friday, December 11, President Christopher Howard and Mrs. Barbara Howard greeted the over 200 Richmond Founders who attended the annual Christmas party at the Hotel Jefferson.

On December 8, President Chris Howard and Head Football Coach Marty Favret attended the Campbell Award ceremony in New York City.

The Campbell Award, formerly called the Draddy Award, was first given in 1990. The award has become one of college football's most sought after and competitive awards, recognizing an individual as the absolute best in the country for his combined academic success, football performance, and exemplary community leadership.

President Howard was the first recipient of the Campbell/Draddy Award.

President Howard and Coach Favret are pictured above with this year's Campbell Award recipient, Tim Tebow of the University of Florida.

On the weekend of December 5-6,  President Christopher Howard was interviewed on the Tavis Smiley Show.

Interview

President Christopher Howard has been named to the Higher Education Working Group on Global Issues of the Council on Foreign Relations.

The working group is comprised of presidents and chancellors of approximately 27 leading colleges, universities, and foundations.  The working group meets twice a year.  Sessions feature expert briefings and discussions among participants on  a range of foreign policy topics.

On November 30, President Christopher Howard, Mrs. Barbara Howard, and their son, Cohen, visited Prince Edward Country Elementary School to distribute dictionaries to 2nd graders.  This continues a program begun several years ago by Walter and Lorraine Bortz.

In a fun and engaging short talk, Dr. Howard urged the children to do their best all the time, to ask for help early if they do not understand, and to set goals - both short term and long.

Hampden-Sydney hosted a reception in the Parents & Friends Lounge on November 23 to introduce International Students to their local host families. This new program was initiated by President Howard to provide an opportunity for students far away from home to have local ”families” that will offer friendship and hospitality, welcome the students into the larger community, and introduce students to the culture and heritage of the region.

Host Families were selected from a list that included H-SC alumni and retirees, and other local residents with connections to Hampden-Sydney. Care was taken to match students and families based on mutual areas of interest.  A student from Peru was matched with a recently retired from Longwood Spanish professor.  A student from Northern Ireland on the H-SC Golf Team was matched with a local golf pro.  A science student from Myanmar was matched with a retired H-SC biology professor.

Plans for next year include extending the Host Family opportunity to all freshman who live a great distance from Southside Virginia whether they are from Colorado, New York or Nepal.

Dr. Christopher Howard was one of the many Hampden-Sydney fans in Ashland on November 14 when Hampden-Sydney defeated Randolph-Macon to finish a 10-0 season and win the ODAC Championship.

Dr. Howard is shown with senior quarterback Corey Sedlar after The Game.

On November 3, President Christopher Howard welcomed John Damonti, President of the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation, to Hampden-Sydney College.  Mr. Damonti was the keynote speaker for a three-day symposium, "The Global HIV & AIDS Pandemic: It's in Your Life."

While working for Bristol-Myers Squibb, Dr. Howard, as International Project Manager in 1999-2000, headed multi-national teams as part of a $100 million HIV/AIDS initiative that provided grants for research and community outreach programs in southern Africa.

On November 2, President Christopher Howard welcomed author Elizabeth Gaffney to Hampden-Sydney.  Gaffney's novel, Metropolis, is a much acclaimed work of historical fiction set in 19th Century New York.

Gaffney visited classes during the day and in the evening gave a public reading from Metropolis and offered insights into the making and purpose of historical fiction.

Dr. Howard has known Ms. Gaffney for several years through the Committee on US - China Relations.

On October 30, a sold-out crowd of over 250 supporters attended the 4th Roundball Club Tip-Off Banquet. The annual event, held at the Country Club of Virginia, raised $50,000 to support the basketball program at Hampden-Sydney.

Head Basketball Coach Dee Vick presented President Chris Howard with a basketball jersey with number 24.  Dr. Howard is the 24th president of the College. 

On October 28, President Christopher Howard visited Southside Virginia Community College in Keysville for a luncheon with President John Cavan.  The two presidents discussed the bright future of the friendly relationship that exists between their respective institutions.

At the conclusion of the luncheon, Dr. Howard was presented with a piece of original art created by Dr. Cavan.

On October 26, President Chris Howard welcomed Michael Auslin, the American Enterprise Institute's Director of Japan Studies, to Hampden-Sydney.  Dr. Auslin was an associate professor of history and senior research fellow at the MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies at Yale University prior to joining AEI.

Dr. Auslin's presentation on the Far East was in conjunction with the new minor in Asian Studies at Hampden-Sydney College.

Dr. Howard and Dr. Auslin are both US - Japan Foundation Leadership Program Fellows.

President Christopher Howard served on the US News & World Report and Harvard University "America's Best Leaders" selection committee as its youngest member for the second consecutive year. 
 
  
The project is chaired by David Gergen, and results have just been published. 
 
How America's Best Leaders of 2009 Were Picked 

A cold day and cloudy skies did not deminish the enthusiasm of the Homecoming crowd on Saturday, Sepetmber 17.  Chris and Barbara Howard joined the Hampden-Sydney fans who cheered the Tigers to a 38 to 31 victory.

Homecoming Game

At the Homecoming luncheon on Saturday, October 17, President Christopher Howard presented the Alumni Citation to Bob Eason '40 in recognition of his love, loyalty, and long support of Hampden-Sydney College.

President Christopher Howard greets the Hampden-Sydney Tiger Football Team as they take the field on Saturday, October 3, against Bridgewater.

Picture provided by Hannah Madison.

Tigers "D" Hold Bridgewater Scoreless in 19-0 Win

The statistics on the 20-stop initial Howard Tour are in.  President Christopher Howard and, along on all but the last two stops, Mrs. Barbara Howard traveled over 4000 miles and met nearly 1300 alumni, parents, and friends of the College.  

Below is a significant excerpt from Dr. Howard's Tour speech in which he discusses his hopes and dream for Hampden-Sydney College.

On September 25, Justin Pope of the Associated Press filed a story on President Chris Howard.  The story has run in hundreds of on-line and hard-copy newspapers and blogs across the country.

Pope met Dr. Howard at the August 31st reception in Raleigh, NC, and spent most of September 11 on campus.

The New York Times

President Chris Howard was interviewed by host Guy Raz on All Things Considered - Evening Edition on Sunday, Sepetmber 27.

 Full Story

On Friday, September 25, Myron Rolle, at the invitation of President Howard, spoke to the student athletes at Hampden-Sydney College. 

Aspiring to both the National Football League and medical school, Rolle was a three-year starter as a safety with Florida State University, completed all necessary pre-medical requirements, and graduated Magna Cum Laude in just two-and-a-half years with a 3.75 GPA, earning a BA in Exercise Science. 

In 2008, he earned the Associated Press’ 3rd team All-American honors as well as the Football Writers Association of America’s 2nd team All-ACC honors. 

Rolle was awarded the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship upon graduation in 2008.  Rolle will spend the 2009-2010 academic year at Oxford in order to earn an M.A. in medical anthropology.  He will then enter the 2010 NFL Draft. 

Pictures with Hampden-Sydney Teams

The Howard Tour moved into the deep South with receptions in Atlanta and Birmingham. 

A large crowd of alumni, parents, and friends gathered at the Capital City Club in Altanta on September 15.  Bray Bourne '96, President of the Atlanta Alumni Club, presented gifts to Dr. Howard for himself and to take to Mrs. Howard, Cohen, and Joshua.

On Septmber 16, alumni, parents, and friends gathered at the Harbert Center in Birmingham.  Richard Epperson '79, Assistant VP for Development and Alumni Relations, presented the Dabney Plaque, recognizing his long service as the Birmingham Club President, to Gerald Gillespy '88 and Kevin Turner '03 was recognized as the new President of the Club.

Although the Tour may have ended in Birmingham.  Dr. Howard's travels to meet alumni, parents, and friends of the College have not.  He will be in New York in December and, after the first of the year, will visit Bluefield-Tazewell and Charleston, West Virginia, and the Danville-Martinsville, Halifax, and Petersburg Clubs.  He will be in Jacksonville, FL, in the spring.

On Saturday, September 12, the Young Founders gathered in Snyder Hall in the Kirk Athletic Center for a dinner dance.

The gathering was addressed by President Howard and Judson McAdams '04 (below), Chairman of the Young Founders Society.

The 2009 Gammon Medallion recipients are Scott Harris '01 (left) of Raleigh and Ashby Price '01 of Richmond.  The Gammon Medallion recognizes ourstanding service to the College by a recent alumnus.

On September 12, the Hampden-Sydney Tigers defeated Gettysburg 46 to 43 in a dramatic overtime victory.

President Howard was on the sidelines to congratulate the team.

On September 10, more than half the Hampden-Sydney student body gathered in Kirby Field House where President Howard, flanked by the officers of the student government, delivered an inspirational talk - complete with film clips and power point slides - on the importance of individual and shared responsibility.

At the end of the talk, Dr. Howard stood at the door and shook the hand of each student as he left.

On September 9, President Christopher Howard, on behalf of the Wilson Center for Leadership in the Public Interest, hosted a luncheon at the Norfolk Yacht and Country Club for NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. 

Secretary General Rasmussen is the former Prime Minister of Denmark and the father of Henrik, H-SC '03.

The Secretary General spoke of the challenges that face NATO and the past. present, and future importance of cooperation between the United States and Europe.

The Howard Tour visited Norfolk and Newport News on September 8 and 9.  One hundred and twenty-five alumni, parents, and friends of Hampen-Sydney gathered at the Norfolk Yacht and Country Club to greet Chris and Barbara Howard.  Among those present, were all of the Trustees from south of the James River.

(right to left) Peebles Harrison '89, who just rotated off the Board in 2009, of Nags Head, NC; Robert Bray '60 of Portsmouth, Charles McPhillips '82 of Norfolk, John Gibson '82 of Virginia Beach; Dr. Howard, Mrs. Howard, John Ellis '70 of Virginia Beach, and Jack Drescher '70 of Norfolk.

On the 9th, about 60 gatherd at the James River Country Club at a reception hosted by Ray Bottom '51, pictured below with the Howards and Roberta Crawley, widow of Dr. Edward Crawley, legendary H-SC professor of English.

On August 28, President and Mrs. Howard entertained the freshman class at Middlecourt for ice cream, croquet, and frisbee.

On Saturday, September 5, Hampden-Sydney's first home football game and a victory over North Carolina Wesleyan, Hampden-Sydney extended a special invitation to the Farmville/Prince Edward Community.

Chris and Barbara Howard entertained guests in the Everett Stadium Lounge.

The day brought not only members of the local community to campus but also two former residents of The Hill, Si and Diana Bunting.

The Howard Tour continued with receptions in Raleigh (August 31), Charlotte (September 1), Columbia, SC (September 2), and Charleston, SC (September 3).

Nearly 100 alumni, parents, and friends of the College gathered at Marbles Kids Museum (right) in Raleigh, a unique setting for a highly successful event that welcomed Chris and Barbara Howard to North Carolina.

In Charlotte, again nearly 100 greeted the Howards at Charlotte Country Club. 

Ed (H-SC Class of '86) and Margaret Ann McMullen opened their home in Columbia to a small gathering of of alumni.

The Harbour Club in Charleston was the venue for a gathering of about 50 alumni, parents, and friends of the College including two of Charleston's newest residents, Walter and Lorraine Bortz.

On the evening of matriculation, August 22, new students gathered in College Church for a solumn ceremony marking the formal acceptance of the Honor Code.  Each new man signed a card pledging not to lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do.

William Moss '10, Chairman of the Student Court, presided.  After signing his card, each new man was welcomed by President Howard into the Hampden-Sydney brotherhood.

Saturday, August 22, dawned hot and overcast as the 295 members of the Class of 2013 made their way through matriculation in Crawley Forum.

New students and their families gathered in the early afternoon on the lawn at Venable Hall for an official welcome, but a thunder storm interrupted the program just after Dean of Admissions Anita Garland's remarks and sent the crowd hurrying for shleter.

Later in the afternoon, Dr. Howard addressed the new students and their parents in Snyder Hall.  The theme of his remarks was that to those to whom much is given, much is expected.  He made the point that each freshman, no matter what his background, has received "gifts" which have shaped his life and brought him to this point.  It is now up to him to decide what sacrifices he is willing to make to repay those who have raised and educated him by his fulfilling the greatest potential of his individual abiltities.

At the annual community picnic on August 20, President Christopher Howard presented service awards to staff members whose aggregate service to the College is 575 years.

Earl W. Ross, Athletic Field Equipment Assistant, was honored for 40 years of service.

Those honored for 30 years of service were (left to right) Alvin P. Mason, Jr. (Preventive Maintenance Technician), Karen H. Fowler (SQL Database Administrator, Computing Center), Shirley A. Washington (ARAMARK, Salad Preparation), and Geraldine S. Pettus (Office Manager, Campus Security and Telecommunications)

The Howard Tour continued with a Sunday  (August 16) afternoon event at Mount Airy, the historic Tayloe home on the Rappahannock River near Warsaw, Virginia.  (left) The hosts were Tayloe Murphy '53 and Tayloe Emery '92. 

(right) On the evening of August 17 there was a reception in Fredericksburg at the home of Jeppy and Karen Moss '73.

The activities related to the opening of the College will temporarily halt the tour, but it will resume on August 31 in Raleigh.

After successful events in Richmond, Roanoke, Charlottesville, and Lynchburg, the Howard Presidential Tour moved into Northern Virginia and Maryland.

Tuesday, August 11, was busy with a luncheon at the Old Ebbitt Grill in Washington, DC, and a evening reception at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, MD.  There was a Wednesday evening reception at the home of Joe Viar '63 in Alexandria and on Thursday a reception at the Maryland Club in Baltimore.

The tour added 1500 miles and touched  several hundred alumni, parents, students, and friends of the College.

  August 9, at the home of Charlie Crist '66 and Brenda Crist in Culpeper

  August 10, Luncheon in Winchester at the George Washington Hotel

 
  August 11, Luncheon at the Old Ebbitt Grill, Washington D.C.

  August 11, Reception at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, MD

 
  August 12, Home of Joe Viar '63 in Alexandria

  August 13, Reception at the Maryland Club in Baltimore, MD

Alumni, parents, students, and friends of Hampden-Sydney College welcomed Dr. and Mrs. Howard to Roanoke on August 4 (below left), Charlottesville on August 5 (right), and Lynchburg on August 6 (below right).

Dr. Chris Howard and J. Tayloe Emery '92 were in the "snapoday" in The Hook.

Mrs. Barbara Howard on her way to Johannesburg, South Africa, to visit family stopped in London and visited the 10 Hampden-Sydney students who are studying this summer at St. Anne's College in the Virginia Program at Oxford.

Dr. Howard, a Rhodes Scholar, spent three years at St. Anne's reading for his Masters of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy both in Politics.

On July 29 and 30, 26 members of the administration, faculty, and student leaders met to discuss Hampden-Sydney's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in a searching two-day retreat that examined documents from the ancient wisdom of Plato and Aristotle to a case study used at Harvard Business School.

The sessions were led by Howard Zeiderman (left) of Touchstones Discussion Projects and Joshua Margolis of Harvard Business School.

President Chris Howard was recently featured in Diverse Issues in Higher Education

Barbara Howard, wife of President Chris Howard, has been appointed to the Brown v Board of Education Scholarship Committee created by the Virginia House of Delegates.  The Scholarship Committee along with the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Commission form a Special Subcommittee on the 50th Anniversary of the Public School Closings in Virginia.

The Special Subcommittee will be responsible for planning, developing, leading, and coordinating the statewide observance of the 50th anniversary of the closing of public schools in many Virginia localities and the 55th anniversary of the 1954 Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education.

On Sunday, July 19, the Richmond Times-Dispatch ran an article on President Christopher Howard.

Hampden-Sydney College adds chapter to its long history

On the evening of July 15, one of the largest gatherings of Hampden-Sydney alumni, parents, and friends ever to attend a Richmond Club event assembled at a reception at The Country Club of Virginia to welcome Chris and Barbara Howard.

In his remarks, Dr. Howard spoke of the mind, body, and soul of the College.  He stated that Hampden-Sydney's outstanding and committed faculty nurture the mind of the College, that the body of the College has been enhanced by the Bortz Library, the Kirk Athletic Center, and Everett Stadium, but it is the soul of the College which must always be our greatest concern.  "I want every student to understand that the soul of Hampden-Sydney is based on collective and individual responsibility."  According to Dr. Howard, "We will have long discourse and continuing conversations about what it means to be a Hampden-Sydney Man while always respecting that there are Hampden-Sydney Men, and they are not all the same." 

On July 1, Dr. Christopher B. Howard officially assumed his duties as 24th President of Hampden-Sydney College. 

On a brief visit in June, Dr. and Mrs. Howard toured Middlecourt with Norm Krueger, Vice President for Business Affairs.

On Saturday, May 30, over 50 alumni, parents, students, prospective students, and friends of the College gathered at the home of David Ball ’97 and his wife Barrett to welcome President-elect Chris Howard and Coach Ray Rostan to Dallas, TX. 

On Friday evening, May 29, Dr. Howard and his family joined Coach Rostan at the Team Dallas Showcase game, and on Saturday Dr. Howard and his eldest son Cohen and attended Texas 99, a weekend clinic and showcase tournament for lacrosse student-athletes from the state of Texas.

President-elect Howard with David L. Boren, President of the University of Oklahoma, and OU commencement speaker David McCullough (center), historian and twice winner of a Pulitzer Prize.

President-Elect Chris Howard joined President Walter Bortz at Commencement on May 10.  The ceremony marked the end of the 234th academic year of Hampden-Sydney College.  Two hundred and sixteen students received their degrees.

Dr. Howard’s youngest son successfully completed Cotillion near Oklahoma City and posed with fellow classmates, most of whom attend the Casady School with him.   When asked if he enjoyed the experience, Joshua replied,  “Can I play X-Box if I say yes?”

On April 26, Dr. Howard travelled to NYC to witness the installation of The Reverend Doctor Brad Braxton as Senior Pastor of the Riverside Church.  A Salem, VA, native and Jefferson Scholar at UVA, Brad and Chris were Rhodes Scholars together at Oxford in the early 1990s. 

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and President Nelson Mandela have both spoken at Riverside.  The installation sermon was delivered by the President of Morehouse College, Robert Franklin.  Brad and Chris were joined by Nick Beim, Chris’ close friend and a General Partner at the venture capital firm, Matrix Partners, near Boston.  Nick is happy to report he attended wrestling camp at Hampden-Sydney during high school and recalled that “it was very fun and very hot!”    

During his time with the US-Spain Council Young Leaders Program, President-elect Howard meets, in front of the birthplace of Cervantes near Madrid, with two of the greatest characters in the history of literature, Don Quixote and Sancho Panza.

President-elect Chris Howard was one of three alumni recognized by the Plano (TX) Independent School District in the on-line publication "University Ready"

On February 18, Chris Howard was at Haverford College, near Philadelphia, to make a presentation on leadership.  Through mutual friends and professional associates, Chris came to the attention of Dr. Lawrence Caplin (right), Hampden-Sydney Class of 1986, of Philadelphia.  Larry is the founder and CEO of the Oral Health Impact Project (OUIP) which provides in-school, comprehensive dental care to children at the greatest risk of dental disease. 

Larry was impressed with Chris’ credentials and the Hampden-Sydney connection and contacted him.  This led to an invitation from Chris for Larry to visit Oklahoma. 

Larry visited Tulsa in April and through arrangements made by Chris met with Dr. Gerry Clancy, President of the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa and Dean, OU College of Medicine-Tulsa.  The University of Oklahoma and the George Kaiser Family Foundation are establishing the OU School of Community Medicine – the first of its kind in the nation – with an explicit purpose to improve the health status of underserved Oklahoma communities, both rural and urban. 

According to Larry, “OU has an excellent community medical health program but no oral health component.  What they are doing in Tulsa and what we are doing in Philadelphia is a natural fit.” 

While in Oklahoma, Larry met fellow alumnus Wentz Miller ’71 (left in above picture), CFO at INTEGRIS Health.  INTEGRIS Health, a not-for-profit corporation, is the state's largest Oklahoma-owned health system.  Its mission is to improve the health of the people and the communities it serves.

Although promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the USAF Reserves on August 14, 2008, President-elect Howard held his actual “pinning on” ceremony on Easter Sunday in Norman, OK.  He was joined by numerous friends and family members including Lt.Col. Jerry Carter, USMC, 2^nd Radio Battalion Commander, Camp Lejune, NC, and Lt. Col. Rodney Lewis, USAF, Chief of Wing Safety, 62^nd Airlift Wing, McChord AFB, WA, the largest C-17 wing in the Air Force.  Carter, Lewis, and Howard are all recipients of the Bronze Star and served in either Iraq, Afghanistan, or both.

On April 14, President-elect Howard was named one of four “Most Inspiring Faculty” by the student-athletes at the University of Oklahoma in part for creating the “Scholar-Athlete Enrichment Program”  (SAEP).    

For student-athletes with a cumulative GPA of 3.4 or higher, SAEP’s premise is that “the student-athlete experience on a competitive college campus requires exceptional dedication and commitment to both academic life and sport.  Student athletes learn invaluable experiences in leadership, teamwork, time management, handling adversity, and self-discipline.  These experiences and learned traits may be transferred from their athletic careers to the professional world.  Many student-athletes emerge as leaders in the professional and corporate worlds because of lessons learned in competitive athletics.  This course targets potential student-athlete leaders and provides an intellectual odyssey and framework for the study of leadership.”

President-elect Howard was joined by his two sons, Cohen and Joshua, who posed for a photo with Howard’s former student and Heisman Trophy Winner, Sam Bradford (right), and Naismith Trophy Winner for the top men’s college basketball player, Blake Griffin.  Both are University of Oklahoma students.  

The University of Oxford-St. Anne's College reported on Chris Howard's election as President of Hampden-Sydney College.

Dr. Howard, a Rhodes Scholar, spent three years at St. Anne's reading for his Masters of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy both in Politics.

Hampden-Sydney has long participated in the Virginia Program at Oxford.  Each summer several Hampden-Sydney students study at St. Anne's College.

Dr. Chris Howard talks about leadership on YouTube.

Dr. Chris Howard has been selected as a member of the 2009 Young Leaders Program of the United States-Spain Council.

The United States-Spain Council is a forum in which Spanish and U.S. corporate leaders, government officials, and leaders in the educational and cultural fields seek to promote better relations between the two countries.

The Young Leaders Program takes emerging American leaders to Spain to familiarize them with the social, cultural, economic, and poetical realities of contemporary Spain.

Dr. Howard will be in Spain later this month.

Message from the President-elect of Hampden-Sydney College
Dr. Chris Howard

December 19, 2008