Hampden-Sydney College announced today that Vinton C. Bruton IV has been appointed director of the Wilson Center for Leadership in the Public Interest following a national search.
Mr. Bruton brings to Hampden-Sydney a diverse background with many years of experience in leadership, teaching, advising, mentorship, and strategic planning. He is currently the associate headmaster for operations at the Blue Ridge School, an independent school for boys in St. George, Va., where he also previously served as assistant headmaster for co-curriculum programs. In his current role, Mr. Bruton is a member of the school’s senior leadership team, with responsibility for all aspects of student life, campus health and safety, and co-curricular programming.
Much of Mr. Bruton’s work at Blue Ridge has focused on leadership and character development and integrating them into the student experience. Mr. Bruton developed and ran the school's character education program, which features multi-day expeditions including community service and outdoor adventure for each class. As a leader in the school’s outdoor program, Mr. Bruton designed new programming focused on hunting and fishing, and he has also created and taught courses on career and life-planning intended to help students identify and pursue their purposes in life.
“Vinton’s professional background aligns perfectly with the Wilson Center’s mission of preparing men of character for lives of consequence,” said Dean of Faculty Mike McDermott. “His career in education and public service has demonstrated a commitment to ethics and character—and in instilling these values in young men. I am confident that his unique background and experiences will bring significant value to our students, and that under his leadership the Wilson Center will reach even greater heights.”
Before joining the Blue Ridge faculty as a history teacher, Mr. Bruton spent nearly a decade as an infantry officer in the United States Marine Corps, with multiple deployments to the Pacific Rim, the Middle East, and parts of Africa. His final active duty command was with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, where he was responsible for the training, welfare, and tactical employment of 170 Marines.
“I'm excited to have the opportunity to build on the Wilson Center's strong foundation,” Mr. Bruton said. “I was drawn to this role after seeing firsthand that Blue Ridge graduates who attend Hampden-Sydney thrive at the College and become even better men over their four years here. Hampden-Sydney College's commitment to forming good men and good citizens and recent focus on experiential learning make it the ideal place for young men to learn to lead.”
“I am thrilled to welcome Vinton to the Hampden-Sydney community and faculty,” added Dean McDermott. “The Wilson Center and its four-year leadership fellows program offer incredible opportunities for our students, and Vinton’s wealth of experiences, especially in an all-male educational environment, position him to begin making an impact from day one. I am also grateful to the members of the search committee, including its chair, Professor of History John Coombs, for their dedication in bringing such an impressive candidate to lead the Wilson Center.”
Mr. Bruton received his bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University and a master’s in leadership from Gordon College. An avid historian and outdoorsman who enjoys hunting and fishing, Mr. Bruton is also a wilderness first responder, whitewater canoe instructor, and volunteer firefighter. He and his wife have three children. Mr. Bruton will assume his new role on June 1.