While enjoying his many passions at Hampden-Sydney, Haden VonCanon ’27 found the brotherhood and close connections to enhance his college experience.
Hampden-Sydney fosters meaningful connections among its students—through academics, athletics, extracurriculars, and life beyond campus. Those who visit and enroll experience a profound sense of community that shapes their growth as a Hampden-Sydney man. For Haden VonCanon ’27, this strong sense of belonging and interconnectedness has been central to his college experience, influencing everything from academics and sports to extracurricular involvement—all beginning with a campus visit during his senior year of high school that would influence his decision to attend Hampden-Sydney.
“I had a friend whose parents spoke very highly of Hampden-Sydney, so I decided to tour the campus—one of the few schools I visited,” Haden says. “From the moment I toured, I fell in love. There’s a strong sense of community here, and everyone genuinely wants to see you succeed.”
That sense of community showed itself early in Haden’s Hampden-Sydney journey. At Summer Orientation in 2023, Haden—whose passion for music spans guitar, fiddle, harmonica, and harp—was encouraged by his mother to introduce himself to a young gentleman playing guitar outside on campus. A simple conversation with Ben Hager ’23 soon led to a connection with Scott Gipson ’26, who later invited Haden to a Back Sydney Band practice during his first semester. Soon thereafter, he became a member of the band playing the fiddle, joining a group that brings together musicians from both Hampden-Sydney and Longwood University, with Visiting Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy Glynn Holt on drums—forming a true community band.
“Back Sydney Band is a great example of the strength of the community around here,” Haden says. “At first, I thought meeting people would be difficult, but I was completely wrong. Once you get involved, the entire Hampden-Sydney community really opens up and welcomes you in.”
During his time on the Hill, Haden has made the most of every opportunity, strengthening his connections along the way. In addition to performing with Back Sydney Band, he has served as a member of the Hampden-Sydney Cross Country team, works as a Rhetoric Studio consultant, and participates in the Music Production Club.
“I feel like I’ve grown more confident as a person,” Haden says. “As someone who’s naturally more introverted, Hampden-Sydney has shown me that making friends and building connections isn’t as hard as I once thought—especially with the great group of guys we have here.”
The connections Haden has formed have benefited him not only in his extracurricular activities but also in the classroom. When he first arrived on the Hill, he planned to major in economics, but after taking Introduction to Economics (ECON 101), his interests began to shift. Through different courses and conversations with professors, he explored history, then biology, before ultimately finding his place as an English major.
“I discovered that I really enjoy writing and consider it one of my strengths,” Haden says. “I was earning strong grades in every class that involved writing, and over time, I found myself enjoying it more and more—which ultimately led me to declare English as my major.”
Haden credits several professors with having a notable influence on his Hampden-Sydney experience, including Elliott Associate Professor of Rhetoric Sean Gleason, Elliott Professor of History Caroline Emmons, and Visiting Assistant Professor of Rhetoric Chelsie Malyszek, all of whom he admires for their passion for teaching and their genuine interest in getting to know students. He also praises the broader dedication of Hampden-Sydney’s faculty, noting their commitment to supporting students not only academically but also with career guidance, networking, and life advice.
“There’s a kind of maturity here that develops over time,” Haden says. “Throughout your years at Hampden-Sydney, you can see yourself grow through experiences with professors and your brothers—it’s all part of the process of becoming a better man.”
Haden credits some of his closest friends with helping him grow and thrive during his time on the Hill. His bandmates, Kade Minton ’25 and Isaac Drummond ’26, along with cross-country teammate Carter Burcham ’25, have each played a meaningful role in shaping his Hampden-Sydney experience. He also points to his parents as his greatest role models, emphasizing the values they instilled in him: “My dad taught me the importance of hard work and discipline, while my mom showed me what it means to be kind and gentle—and they both did a wonderful job instilling those values in me.”
Those values also shine through in how Haden spends his free time. He can often be found in the Rhetoric Studio’s new equipment room—a space he helped establish. The room houses a range of filmmaking equipment and an editing computer, giving students with an interest in digital media the opportunity to explore their creativity and sharpen their skills. For Haden, it’s another way to build connections while pursuing a passion.
Looking ahead, Haden hopes to turn that passion into a career, with plans to pursue filmmaking after graduation. It’s yet another avenue where he can expand his network, apply what he’s learned on the Hill, and carry his Hampden-Sydney experience into accomplishing great feats beyond the gates.