Fall Orientation Schedule

9 - 11:30 am - Matriculation for all New Students
(Attendance Mandatory)
Brown Student Center
Matriculation is the process of officially enrolling at Hampden-Sydney College.  All new students will check in, review health forms, and be issued a decal for their registered vehicles.  The process should take 15-20 minutes. 

9 - 11:30 am - Reception for Families and Friends
Tiger Inn, Brown Student Center
Families are invited for refreshments while their new students complete the Matriculation process.

9:30 am - 1:30 pm - Residence Halls Open for New Student Move-In
Cushing Hall, Carpenter Dorms, Hampden House Units, Whitehouse
All residential students should report to their assigned residence hall following Matriculation.  There they will pick up their room key, meet their RAs and check into their rooms. 

11 am - 12:45 pm - Lunch Provided by the Office of Student Affairs
The Dining Hall, Pannill Commons
Students are welcome to eat their first meal in “The Commons” with their families. 

1 - 1:45 pm - The Purposes of Hampden-Sydney College
For New Students, Families, and Friends
Venable Hall Lawn (RAIN SITE: Snyder Hall, Kirk Athletic Center)
Dr. Larry Stimpert, President of the College

Introduction to Academic Advising
(Attendance Mandatory for Students and recommended for Parents)
2 - 3 pm - Parent Session (Free Time for Students)
3 - 4 pm - Student Session (Free Time for Parents and Family Members)
Students and their family members will meet with advisors for a brief discussion about the role of the advisor and general academic requirements.  There will be an opportunity to ask questions about the academic program, and each student will sign up for an individual session with their advisor for Friday to discuss their specific academic plan.  During free time, students and family members are encouraged to explore the Brown Student Center, visit the Esther Atkinson Museum, browse the Campus Store, or meet with their RA and Student Life staff.

4:15 - 5 pm - Liberal Arts Education at Hampden-Sydney College
Venable Hall Lawn (RAIN SITE: Snyder Hall, Kirk Athletic Center)
Dr. Tim Diette, Dean of the Faculty and Professor of Economics
Learn what it means to receive a liberal arts education, to think critically, and what is unique about Hampden-Sydney’s educational program.

5 pm - Class of 2028 Student Ring Off
Watkins Bell Tower
Dr. Richard Pantele '13, Dean of Students
Please join us at the Watkins Bell Tower, in the center of campus, as we ring the bell 28 times to mark the start of the Class of 2028’s first year at H-SC.

**New Students Say Good-Bye to Family Members**

5:30 - 7 pm - Dinner with Your Academic Advisor
(Attendance Mandatory)
Advisors will let you know the dinner location at your Introduction to Academic Advising Session earlier in the day.  If you are unsure of the location, please contact your Academic Advisor or Sandy Cooke at (434) 547-6662.

7:30 pm - Meet Your RA at Your Residence Hall
(Attendance Mandatory - Coat and Tie Required)
Residence Halls
All new students should be in their rooms and ready by 7:30 pm for their RA to meet with them briefly and then take them to Honor Convocation small group discussions.  From the small group sessions, students will head straight to the Honor Convocation at 9 pm.

8 - 9 pm - Small Group Discussions before Honor Convocation
(Attendance Mandatory - Coat and Tie Required)
RAs will lead their groups to the location.

9 - 10 pm - The Hampden-Sydney College Honor Convocation
(Attendance Mandatory - Coat and Tie Required)
Johns Auditorium
Mr. Sam Detrick ‘25, Student Court Chairman
Dr. Larry Stimpert, President of the College
Dr. Timothy Diette,  Dean of the Faculty
The most important event during Orientation, Honor Convocation will teach students what the Honor Code means at Hampden-Sydney.  After the event, every new student will sign the Honor Code Pledge, before being formally welcomed into the Hampden-Sydney College Brotherhood.

10:30 pm - Brotherhood Bonfire at Cushing
(Attendance Mandatory - Casual Attire)
Dean Dwayne Bowyer '92, Associate Dean of Students for Student Conduct & Director of Greek Life
Put on some casual clothing and join us for some pizza and fellowship at Cushing.  This is where new students will receive their Class of 2028 challenge coins.

7:30 - 8:30 am - Breakfast
The Dining Hall, Pannill Commons

8:30 - 9:30 am - Group Advising Meetings
Same locations as “Introduction to Academic Advising”

9:30 - 11 am
Individual Advising Sessions (By Appointment Only)
(Attendance Mandatory)

Before or after your advising session, please join us for one or more of these adventures for some fun!  Representatives will be at the Fitness Center at Kirby Field House to check out discs for the Disc Golf Course and give directions to the High Ropes Challenge Course.  Representatives will also be at the Wilson Trailhead to guide you through the 2.5-mile loop of scenic forest!

Hike the Wilson Trail
(Attendance Optional)
11 am - Noon - Session #1
1 - 2 pm - Session #2
The Wilson Trailhead is located behind Hampden Units in the back parking lot near the woods.

Play Disc Golf or Experience the Challenge Course!
(Attendance Optional)
11 am - Noon - Session #1
1 - 2 pm - Session #2
Fitness Center, Kirby Field House

11 am - 1 pm - Lunch
The Dining Hall, Pannill Commons

1 - 2:30 pm - Individual Advising Sessions (By Appointment Only)
(Attendance Mandatory)

2:30 – 3:15 pm - Rhetoric Studio Orientation
(Attendance Mandatory)
Johns Auditorium
Dr. Miranda Rouse, Assistant Professor of Rhetoric 
All incoming freshmen will attend a brief orientation to the Rhetoric Studio.  Topics will include how to make an appointment, what assistance the Studio offers for writing, speaking, and digital projects, and what spaces and equipment in the Studio are available to reserve and use.  

3:30 - 5 pm - Rhetoric Placement Essay Test
(Attendance Mandatory)
Morton Hall 
Dr. Nicholas Nace, Associate Professor of Rhetoric 
This test is required of all incoming freshmen. The results of this writing test, along with scores and data from online editing exams used for initial placement, will determine whether new students are registered for the appropriate level of Rhetoric.  The test is also required of transfer students who have earned fewer than six hours of credit in writing courses.  Please bring two pens or pencils. 

2:30 - 5:30 pm - Rhetoric Proficiency Exam (SELECT TRANSFER STUDENTS ONLY) 
Pannill Center for Rhetoric and Communication, Room 105, Pannill (Ground Level)
Dr. Nicholas Nace, Associate Professor of Rhetoric 
This test is required of all transfer students who have earned at least six hours of credit in composition courses at other institutions and who have been previously notified to take this exam.  Please bring two pens.  The Rhetoric Program will provide a dictionary and a grammar handbook.

6:30 - 8:30 pm - Dinner and the Value of Our Brotherhood
(Attendance Mandatory - Business Casual)
Snyder Hall, Kirk Athletic Center
Join us for dinner and discussion with H-SC student leaders and alumni.  At this event, new students will have the opportunity to discuss and learn from current and past leaders about the uniqueness of H-SC’s student-led and executed government, justice system, clubs and organizations.  They will better understand the value of the H-SC Brotherhood, and how they can enhance the brotherhood experience through leading, serving, and seizing opportunities.  All new students will hear from prominent alumni about their brotherhood experiences that shaped their character and refined their approach to leadership empowering successful careers as good men and good citizens.  Students will have the opportunity to ask questions during an interactive dinner and panel discussion.

9 pm – Ping Pong and Pool Tournament at the Tiger Inn!
Join some of your new brothers from the College Activities Council at the Tiger Inn located in the Brown Student Center for the Ping Pong and Pool Tournament.  Prizes will be won! 

10 - 11 am - Brunch
The Dining Hall, Pannill Commons

11 am - Noon - Language Study Introduction
(Attendance Mandatory)
Dr. Alfonso Varona, Associate Professor of Modern Languages
Dr. Janice Siegel, Associate Professor of Classics
All students signing up for language study are required to attend one of the sessions listed for  Spanish, French, German, Chinese, and Latin/Greek.  Students will hear a short introduction to the study of languages at the College. 

Spanish 100 - 200             Bortz Library, 4^th Floor Lecture Area

Spanish 300                        Bortz Library, Cabell Room, 4^th Floor

French 100 - 300               Bortz Library, DuPont Room, 2^nd Floor

German                                Bortz Library, Room 218

Chinese                                Bortz Library, Room 217

Latin* and Greek             Brinkley Hall, Room 004

Pre-Law Information Sessions
Noon - 1 pm (Session #1)
1 - 2 pm (Session #2) 
(Attendance Optional)
Pauley Science Center, Room 100
Dr. Celia Carroll Jones, Myers Associate Professor of Government and Foreign Affairs
Hampden-Sydney College has a strong tradition of placing students in top law schools, and many of our alumni go on to prestigious and important careers in law.  The Pre-Law Session will explore the wide range of possibilities and opportunities for students interested in a career in the legal field as well as the steps to get there while at the College.

Pre-Health Information Session
Noon - 1 pm (Session #1)
1 - 2 pm (Session #2) 
(Attendance Optional)
Pauley Science Center, Room 105
Dr. Kristian Hargadon ‘01, Trinkle Professor of Biology
Students interested in careers or graduate education in the health sciences (including medical school, dental school, and other professional programs in the health sciences) should attend this information session to learn about the exciting programs and opportunities that H-SC offers its pre-health students.  Information about the course and extracurricular requirements that must be completed during the freshman year and beyond to pursue these paths will also be provided.  

Pre-Engineering Information Session
Noon - 1 pm (Session #1)
1 - 2 pm (Session #2) 
(Attendance Optional)
Pauley Science Center, Room 104
Dr. Trey Thurman III, Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy
The Cooperative Program in Engineering with the University of Virginia and the Dual-Degree Program in Engineering with Old Dominion University will be reviewed.  Educational opportunities at the College supporting these programs will be discussed.

National Security and ROTC Program Information Sessions
Noon - 1 pm (Session #1)
1 - 2 pm (Session #2) 
(Attendance Optional)
Pauley Science Center, Room 201
Mr. Vinton Bruton IV, Director for the Wilson Center for Leadership
Dean Dwayne Bowyer ‘92, Associate Dean of Students for Conduct and Character & Director of Greek Life
This session provides an opportunity for freshmen to learn more about the opportunities available through participating in the National Security and Army ROTC Program at H-SC. 

Pre-Tech Information Sessions
Noon - 1 pm (Session #1)
1 - 2 pm (Session #2) 
(Attendance Optional)
Pauley Science Center, Room 402
Dr. Brian Lins, Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science
Students interested in technology-related fields and careers such as data science, software development, information security, computer science, and more should attend this information session.  The discussion in this session is also for those students interested in opportunities and careers not directly in the technology field but having technological components.  This session will highlight the opportunities and programs offered across H-SC's curriculum.

Pre-Business Information Sessions
Noon - 1 pm (Session #1)
1 - 2 pm (Session #2) 
(Attendance Optional)
Pauley Science Center, Room 407
Dr. Tony Carilli, Professor of Economics and Business
Each of the three majors in the Economics and Business department fits squarely in the traditional liberal arts.  As a social science with its roots in things like political science, history, psychology, cultural studies, etc. it provides students insight into individual choice in a wide variety of circumstances.  Each of the degrees will prepare you for a variety of choices after graduation and our graduates have gone on to great success in a wide variety of endeavors. The department has a proven track record of placing students in graduate programs in variety of disciplines including multiple professional schools.  In this session students will learn about the hierarchical nature of the three majors (Mathematical Economics, Economics, and Economics & Business) and the necessary steps required to successfully complete each of these majors.

Flemming Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Information Sessions
Noon - 1 pm (Session #1)
1 - 2 pm (Session #2) 
(Attendance Optional)
Pauley Science Center, Room 222
Dr. Greg Dempster, Interim Director of the Flemming Center and Elliott Professor of Economics and Business
The Flemming Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation is available to all students who want to learn about building new ventures: for-profit, nonprofit, and any kind of new project that requires lots of innovative creativity. This session covers how the Center’s programs can help you learn the strategies that successful entrepreneurs use to solve wickedly complex problems and create value in society.

Ferguson Career Center Information Sessions
Noon - 1 pm (Session #1)
1 - 2 pm (Session #2) 
(Attendance Optional)
Pauley Science Center, Room 223
Mr. Patrick Jourdain ’88, Interim Director of the Ferguson Career Center
You are invited to visit with the Ferguson Career Center staff. There you will sign into Handshake with your Hampden-Sydney user ID and password and complete your profile to get the best job recommendations, messages, and events that matter to you.  If you did not attend Summer Orientation, you are highly encouraged to attend. 

I Have No Idea What I Want To Do! 
Noon - 1 pm (Session #1)
1 - 2 pm (Session #2) 
(Attendance Optional)
Pauley Science Center, Room 302
Dr. Sarah Hardy, Johns Professor of English
Dr. Eric Dinmore, Elliott Professor of History
Lots of students begin college unsure of their academic interests or future career path.  That’s ok! Studies show that more than half of all college students change majors at least once.  H-SC's liberal arts curriculum is designed to give students a broad introduction to fields across the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and math.  Chances are, one of these courses is going to spark your passion.  This session will discuss strategies that will help you figure out your path through the academic program and into your post-college career.  Don’t worry if you aren’t sure yet.  We’ve got you! 

3 – 3:30 pm – Step Forward If…
(Attendance Mandatory)
Snyder Hall, Kirk Athletic Center
Dean Desiree Washington, Dean of Culture and Inclusion
The objective is to raise awareness of various forms of privilege; understand the intersectionality of race, socioeconomic class, gender and other demographic variables that shape individuals; appreciate the diversity of individual backgrounds; and team-building.

3:30 - 5 pm - Active Threat Safety Training
(Attendance Mandatory)
Snyder Hall, Kirk Athletic Center
Chief Mark Fowler, Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police

5 – 6:30 pm - Dinner
The Dining Hall, Pannill Commons
Students pick up their WWTTH t-shirts at dinner in Pannill Commons.

5 – 7 pm – Soccer Scrimmage vs. Richard Bland
Hellmuth-Gibson Field (Lacrosse/Soccer Field)
Cheer on your fellow Tigers before WWTTH!

7 - 9 pm - Who Will Take the Hill?
Meet your RA at 7 pm and proceed to your first location.

7 - 8 pm
Cushing and Hampden House- Report to Kirby Field House
Whitehouse and Carpenters - Report to Hellmuth-Gibson Field (Lacrosse/Soccer Field)

8 - 9 pm
Cushing and Hampden House - Report to Hellmuth-Gibson Field (Lacrosse/Soccer Field)
Whitehouse and Carpenters - Report to Kirby Field House

9 pm - All meet at Cushing for THE FINAL TUG OF WAR CHALLENGE    

8 am - 12 pm - Opportunities for Worship
(Optional)
Various locations around Hampden-Sydney and Farmville
Refer to Local Church Profiles for information.  The College Presbyterian Church service is on campus at 11 am.

10 am - 12:30 pm - Brunch
The Dining Hall, Pannill Commons

12:30 pm - Meet Your RA at Your Residence Hall
(Attendance Mandatory – Casual Attire)
Residence Halls
All new students should be in their rooms and ready by 12:30 pm for their RA to meet with them briefly to take them to Substance Education and (Gentle)Man Up Against HDSM. 

1 - 6 pm - Substance Education, and (Gentle)Man Up Against HDSM
(Attendance Mandatory - Casual Attire)
Pauley Science Center (Please refer to your Resident Advisor for room assignment)

Dean Renae Mancastroppa, Associate Dean for Student Development and Well-Being
Substance Education information will be presented on alcohol and other drug effects, risk factors, and intervention guidelines.

Dr. Melissa Wood, Title IX and 504 Coordinator
(Gentle)Man Up will help our students identify different types of harassment and discrimination and describe how harassment and discrimination diminish the campus community and are contrary to the College’s mission and values.  Students will learn the purpose, steps, and parties involved in HDSM policies and processes, as well as be able to recognize warning signs and troubling behaviors common to situations of harassment and discrimination.  Sexual misconduct is a type of harassment and discrimination; therefore, we will also focus on reestablishing the meaning of consent.  Finally, our students will prepare for appropriate and safe bystander intervention, and harassment and discrimination prevention techniques.

6:30 - 8 pm - Dinner with President and Mrs. Stimpert for all New Students
(Attendance Mandatory - Casual Attire)
Middlecourt (Rain Site: Snyder Hall)
Dinner will be served to all new students at the home of President and Mrs. Stimpert.

Classes Begin

4:30 pm - Opening Convocation
(Attendance Mandatory - Business Casual)
Venable Lawn (Rain Site: Kirby Field House)

5:30 - 7 pm - Convocation Picnic and Student Engagement Fair
Wright Point at Lake Chalgrove
(Rain Site: Pannill Commons for Dinner)
(Rain Site: Brown Student Center for Student Engagement Fair)
Representatives from many of Hampden-Sydney’s clubs and organizations will have displays and information about their groups.  Students can ask questions and sign up for organizations that interest them.

6:30 pm - Meet Your RA at Your Residence Hall
(Attendance Mandatory - Coat and Tie Required)
Residence Halls
All new students should be in their rooms and ready by 6:30 pm for their RA to meet with them briefly, and to take them to the Class of 2028 photo.  From the photo, students will head straight to the Mock Honor Trial at 7 pm.

6:45 pm - Class of 2028 Photo
(Attendance Mandatory - Coat and Tie - Transfer Students are Welcome!)
Everett Stadium (Football Stadium) (Rain location: Kirby Field House)

7 – 7:30 pm - Mock Honor Trial
(Attendance Mandatory - Coat and Tie)
Snyder Hall, Kirk Athletic Center
This presentation explores the types of cases that come to the Student Justice System and how the system works.  Students will be able to witness Court procedures and learn more about the Honor Code.

7:30 – 8:30 pm - Mock Honor Trial Small Group Discussions
(Attendance Mandatory - Coat and Tie)
Locations for your small group discussion will be given to you at the Mock Honor Trial program.

daily business hours

Thursday, August 22
6 am - 8 pm - Fitness Center, Kirby Field House 
6 - 9 am, 12 - 7 pm - Leggett Pool, Kirby Field House
7:30 am - 4 pm - Student Health
8:30 am - 5 pm - Administrative Offices Open
8:30 am - 5 pm - Computing Center, Bortz Library
8:30 am - 5 pm - Bortz Library 
8:30 am - 5 pm - Post Office, Brown Student Center 
8:30 am - 5 pm - Counseling Center 
9 am - 4 pm - Campus Store, Graham Hall
10 am - 5 pm - Atkinson Museum

Friday, August 23
6 am - 8 pm - Fitness Center, Kirby Field House 
3 - 7 pm - Leggett Pool, Kirby Field House
7:30 am - 4 pm - Student Health
8:30 am - 5 pm - Administrative Offices Open
8:30 am - 5 pm - Computing Center, Bortz Library
8:30 am - 5 pm - Bortz Library 
8:30 am - 5 pm - Post Office, Brown Student Center 
8:30 am - 5 pm - Counseling Center 
9 am - 4 pm - Campus Store, Graham Hall
10 am - 5 pm - Atkinson Museum

Saturday, August 24
10 am - 5 pm - Fitness Center, Kirby Field House
10 am - 3 pm - Leggett Pool, Kirby Field House

Sunday, August 25
10 am - 5 pm - Fitness Center, Kirby Field House
10 am - 3 pm - Leggett Pool, Kirby Field House