Though Jim Hogan didn’t meet Fletcher Wright III ’57 until later in life, it was evident Wright was a product of Hampden-Sydney’s practice of forming “good men and good citizens.”
“Fletcher was genuinely kind, articulate, and a good listener,” shares Hogan. “He was a Virginia gentleman—the real deal.”
Wright and Hogan met in the Hamptons after being introduced by Hogan’s brother. Wright had retired from his career working in employee labor relations at Brown & Williamson Tobacco and relocated to the Hamptons to sell real estate. Hogan, a graduate of University of Michigan, was senior vice president of advertising at Young & Rubicam in New York and later became a successful landscape designer. Their instant friendship led to a partnership of 35 years.
“Fletcher was a people-person and loved to entertain,” Hogan recalls. “He took great pride in where he came from, and Hampden-Sydney was a part of that.”
After a decade in the Hamptons, Wright was ready to move closer to home. It didn’t take long for Hogan to become smitten with the beauty of Virginia and the gentility of its citizens. The couple made their home in Scottsville and quickly became established in the community, lending their talents to various restoration projects. They also helped start the area’s Boys & Girls Club, which has since expanded to serve three counties.
No matter where Wright lived throughout his life, Hampden-Sydney was always close to his heart. He was a faithful supporter of the College making annual gifts for more than three decades until he passed away in 2021.
Hogan remembers that “Fletcher loved Hampden-Sydney. He would talk about the school, his friendships, being a KA—even how good the food was! He was proud to be an alumnus. The men who graduate from Hampden-Sydney are of a certain caliber.”
To honor Wright’s memory and his love for Hampden-Sydney, Hogan has made a generous gift to build the Wright Pavilion on Lake Chalgrove. “As a landscape designer, I see a picture there: the pavilion, the lake, and a bridge in the distance which serves as the exclamation point,” Hogan explained. “It’s a beautiful spot that I hope others will enjoy for many years to come.”
“We are so pleased that Jim Hogan reached out to us, wanting to do something meaningful to honor the memory of his friend and partner, Fletcher Wright ’57,” says College President Larry Stimpert. “By wanting to honor Fletcher and participating so generously in our campaign, Jim has helped us make one of the most picturesque sites on the beautiful Hampden-Sydney College campus even more stunning. Jim wants our current students to be reminded of the qualities that made Fletcher such a great exemplar of Hampden-Sydney, and he hopes that Lake Chalgrove and the Wright Pavilion will be a visual memory that all of our graduates will treasure long after their four years at the College have passed. We are grateful for his vision and philanthropy and his appreciation of our College’s mission and culture.”
Your gift supports the Tiger legacy and positions the College for another century of forming good men and good citizens.
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Office of Gift & Estate Planning
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