January 5, 2026
Balancing rigorous academics with a range of extracurricular activities, Geffen Lamar ’27 exemplifies what it means to have a well-rounded and diverse Hampden-Sydney experience.
When it came to deciding where he would spend his next four years, Geffen visited several college campuses but never felt fully convinced. After his mother encouraged him to visit Hampden-Sydney, he found everything he’d been looking for and more, quickly realizing it was the right fit.
“It was the small class sizes and tight-knit community that really drew me in,” Geffen says. “I grew up in Williams, Oregon, a rural town where everyone knows each other, and that’s kind of what it felt like here.”
Seeking an in-depth, face-to-face learning environment where students and professors truly know one another, Geffen found himself growing both academically and personally on the Hill, describing the College as “the best environment for learning.”
“What I’ve learned over the years and the way I write, speak, and carry myself has completely changed,” Geffen says. “I feel much more mature now. I credit a lot of that to Hampden-Sydney and the environment we’re in because seeing others model that behavior and having my brothers encourage it really makes a difference.”
Geffen credits Professor of Modern Languages Dirk Johnson—whom he has taken a class with every semester—along with Visiting Lecturer Colonel Greg Eanes, Visiting Assistant Professor of Modern Languages J.B. Potter ’11, and Assistant Professor of Government and Foreign Affairs Gor Mkrtchian as key influences in his growth and success.
During his time on the Hill, Geffen has been involved in a wide range of activities, serving as president of the German Club, chairman of the Young Americans for Freedom Club, and chief-of-staff for the Alexander Hamilton Society. He also tutors German, is a Wilson Leadership Fellow, and is a member of the Hampden-Sydney Rugby team.
“The College has so many different clubs and organizations to get involved in,” Geffen says. “I’m constantly moving from one activity to the next. I genuinely enjoy staying busy.”
Outside of his involvement in clubs and organizations, Geffen stays busy with his academics. He enjoys exploring subjects that spark his interest, noting that the special topics courses can draw in anyone with their unique material.
“The special topics courses are really engaging,” Geffen says. “The Special Topics in German/Weimar Culture (GERM 385) class was very intriguing. Pre-Modern Experiences of Nature (CLAS 185) with Assistant Professor of Classics Paul Hay was especially fascinating, and the Honors Reading Seminar/Evil Roman Emperors (HONS 261) was another standout. I guess you could say I enjoy the classics.”
Geffen encourages everyone to take courses outside their major and minor requirements, noting that they can broaden knowledge and even spark new interests—just as his curiosity led him to studying German.
“After my first German class, which I really enjoyed, I wanted to continue down that path to keep my language skills sharp,” Geffen says. “I firmly believe learning a second language is an important part of Hampden-Sydney’s culture.”
Geffen’s interest in studying German and western Europe grew over time, prompting him to declare a minor in German during his freshman year. After studying abroad in Munster, Germany, the following summer, he was convinced to turn that minor into a major, ultimately pursuing a double major alongside foreign affairs—a passion that will take him back to Germany to study in Heidelberg in the spring of 2026.
“I think part of a liberal arts education is seeking out every experience you can, and many of them, while based on campus, extend beyond it,” Geffen says. “Many students tend to study Spanish, German, or another modern language, often alongside classics. I would encourage everyone to pursue a language and take part in a trip abroad.”
In his free time outside of classes and extracurriculars, Geffen enjoys relaxing on the front porch of Maples and at the dock on Lake Chalgrove, taking in the campus scenery. He also enjoys meeting up with friends in the Pannill Commons to share a meal.
“It’s true what they say—you enter here as a youth and leave as a man,” Geffen says. “Hampden-Sydney has prepared me to take on a full load of work and responsibilities across campus, all while having the most fun I’ve ever had. I’ve learned that work and fun aren’t mutually exclusive—they can happen at the same time.”
While Geffen looks up to and admires his parents as role models, he also sees himself as his own role model—continually pushing himself to grow, embrace new challenges, and become the best version of himself as a student, leader, and person.
Geffen plans to stay busy after he departs from the Hill, considering opportunities such as returning to Germany and working in military contracting, diplomacy, or consular service. Representing the United States in Europe, he says, “seems like a very Hampden-Sydney thing to do,” but he’s keeping his options open. With his breadth of knowledge, ambition, and eagerness to seize every opportunity, Geffen is poised to carry the spirit of Hampden-Sydney with him and make an impact far beyond the gates.