April 8, 2026
Although his hometown is just 20 minutes away, Camden Libby ’26 has made Hampden-Sydney his home—excelling in the classroom while giving back to the community he values so deeply.
While many Hampden-Sydney students see their first glimpse of the College during high school, psychology major Camden Libby found his way to the Hill much earlier. Growing up nearby and attending Prince Edward County High School, Camden has been connected to Hampden-Sydney his whole life: exploring campus with his father, Water/Sewer Operator Steven Libby; visiting with family friend Ewing Professor of Religion Michael Utzinger; playing pickup basketball alongside Caleb Camp ’26; and attending youth camps led by Head Basketball Coach Caleb Kimbrough.
“Although I grew up near Hampden-Sydney and attended many basketball and football games, there were still many parts of the College I hadn’t really experienced until I took an admission tour my senior year of high school,” Camden says. “Seeing it from that perspective changed the way I viewed the College. I came to appreciate its unique character, the energy of the campus, the rigor of the academic program, and the way it challenges students to pursue and achieve their goals.”
After touring campus and learning more about its academic offerings and top-tier resources, Camden was sold on Hampden-Sydney and its mission. Since then, he has worked to embody the ideals of a good man and good citizen in all he does, becoming involved in the Minority Student Union (MSU), where he serves on the executive board; mentoring in the Emerging Leaders in Transition to Excellence (ELITE) program; and as a member of Omicron Delta Kappa and Phi Beta Kappa.
Camden has also dedicated himself to becoming a model student. During the 2024 Opening Convocation ceremony, he was one of five students to receive the Samuel S. Jones Phi Beta Kappa Award, given to the juniors with the highest cumulative grade point averages—each earning a perfect 4.0.
“I have a strong drive and motivation to succeed in my studies,” Camden says. “I have had many great mentors growing up in Prince Edward who invested in me and gave so much of themselves. I also grew up alongside students who didn’t have the same opportunities I’ve had, so I’ve always wanted to make the most of my college experience and never take it for granted. That mindset has pushed me to constantly strive to be my best.”
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Camden often reflects on the mentors who have shaped him and the lessons they’ve imparted over the years. He credits Louis Gould, known as “G,” a Prince Edward County Middle School teacher; Tylic Vaughn, a physical education teacher and coach at Prince Edward County Middle School; and his parents for pushing him to be his best and succeed in everything he does.
At Hampden-Sydney, Camden’s involvement with the ELITE Program allows him to honor his mentors and give back to the next generation. In the fall of 2025, he frequently visited Randolph-Henry High School, working with their football team as a way to share his experience and support young athletes.
“It’s great to be able to give young men guidance on the next steps in life,” Camden says. “Being able to help them understand how to make an honest living, build something meaningful for themselves, and pursue their goals in a way that feels relatable is incredibly powerful.”
Having participated in community projects and mentoring opportunities in middle and high school through the Fresh Boyz Club—a group focused on mentoring, community service, and youth development—where he served as president, Camden developed a passion for working with people. This interest ultimately led him to major in psychology, where he discovered a love for social and clinical psychology research through the Summer Research Program with Elliott Associate Professor of Psychology and Assistant Dean of the Faculty Ivo Gyurovski ’09 and Professor of Psychology Jennifer Vitale.
“I didn’t realize how much summer research would improve the way I learn,” Camden says. “Those experiences require you to dive deeply into a topic. You’re not studying just to answer a quiz or test question—you’re working to truly understand the material. That completely changed my trajectory as a student. Everything I gained through summer research has helped me tremendously and has made my classes much easier to understand and digest.”
In addition, Camden values the opportunity to conduct in-depth research alongside dedicated and talented faculty members—an experience not as easily available at larger schools. He highlights Dr. Gyurovski as a mentor who has challenged him, provided guidance, and deepened his passion for psychology.
“I came to Hampden-Sydney ready to study psychology, but through the psychology department, I discovered the amazing research opportunities at my fingertips,” Camden says. “Due to the opportunities and faculty support, I feel prepared to pursue a graduate program in psychology.”
Looking ahead, Camden will pursue a Master of Arts at James Madison University, where he will enroll in the psychological sciences program with applied research concentration and a fully funded graduate assistantship. He plans to become a therapist, continuing to impact others’ lives while honoring the mentors who guided and challenged him—living out the qualities that led him to Hampden-Sydney four years ago.