November 13, 2025
Hampden-Sydney College celebrated Founders Day on Monday, November 10, with Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin serving as keynote speaker at an event a quarter of a millennium in the making. The historic commemoration was led by Hampden-Sydney President Larry Stimpert, who delivered the opening address.
Held in Hampden-Sydney’s Kirby Field House, the occasion marked the 250th anniversary of the College’s founding in 1775, shortly after the start of the Revolutionary War.
The commemoration drew an audience of state and national dignitaries, current students, faculty and staff members, and alumni who gathered to honor the College’s history and continuing legacy. The attendance of the governor, along with other state and national officials, underscores Hampden-Sydney's standing in the Commonwealth of Virginia and its lasting influence on higher education in the United States.
President Stimpert spoke to the gravity of this benchmark in the College's and the nation’s story. In his opening remarks, he stated that, “Two hundred-fifty years is a remarkable milestone for any institution, but what is even more remarkable is that, from the day it opened its doors to its first students, Hampden-Sydney has been pursuing the same succinct and profoundly important mission to form good men and good citizens.”
Commenting that Hampden-Sydney men represent the bulk of his cabinet officials, Governor Youngkin emphasized how good men and good citizens are as much needed today as they were at the College’s founding. Reflecting on the shared day of founding of Hampden-Sydney College and the United States Marine Corps, Youngkin noted that for 250 years, both institutions have been "molding men” and “bringing the best out of each other.”
During the anniversary celebration, Hampden-Sydney College was distinguished by the United States House of Representatives with resolution H.Res.859, which honors the College for its long tradition of educating men who have gone on to serve the country civically and militarily. The resolution reads, in part: “Hampden-Sydney College was brought into being by the love of liberty and was founded on the eve of the American Revolution with the mission ‘to form good men and good citizens’ who would be equipped to lead a new Republic.” U.S. Representative for Virginia’s 5th Congressional District John McGuire presented President Stimpert with the resolution.
Also in attendance were Virginia Delegate Thomas C. Write Jr. and Virginia Senator Tammy Brankley Mulchi, who are co-sponsoring a House Joint Resolution commending Hampden-Sydney College on the 250th anniversary of its founding. A copy of the commendation was presented to President Stimpert.
In addition to the governor and College president, speakers included Hampden-Sydney Board of Trustees Chairman Peebles Harrison ’89, Spalding Professor of Chemistry and Faculty Marshal Herb Sipe, Dean of Culture and Community Desiree Nicholson, Student Body President Owen Williams ’26, and Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia President Christopher Peace ’98.
Also in attendance were members of Governor Youngkin’s administration Bill Kirk ’72, Virginia Port Authority Board of Commissioners chair, W. Sheppard Miller III ’79, secretary of transportation, Jacob Y. Mitchell ’19, assistant secretary of transportation, Garrison R. Coward ’12, chief transformation officer; J. William “Billy” Reid Jr ’91, advisor to the secretary of labor, R. Christopher Lindsay ’06, chief operating officer of the Virginia Department of Health, Adam C. Hade ’20, associate counsel of the Office of Counselor to the Governor; Aimee Rogstad Guidera, secretary of education, Zach Jacobs, deputy secretary of education, and Leighton Klavara, policy assistant, secretary of education.