Many students who attend Hampden-Sydney are inspired by the College’s mission to form good men and good citizens, strong and close-knit brotherhood, rich history, and cherished traditions.
These are the reasons why computer science and philosophy major Ben Jia ’25 chose to attend Hampden-Sydney College. When deciding between the University of Virginia, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Hampden-Sydney, Ben felt a strong personal connection as a prospective student on the Hill, which further deepened his love for the College.
“I had far more interactions with students and faculty as a prospective student here than at any other college,” Ben says. “After an interview with Ryan Pemberton ’00, then-director of the Wilson Center for Leadership in the Public Interest, he connected me with several people, allowing me to exchange many emails with Thompson Professor of Philosophy Marc Hight, now-retired Professor of Mathematics & Computer Science Paul Hemler, and Taylor McGee ’23.”
Hampden-Sydney’s welcoming and driven environment, along with the strong support from those around him, inspired Ben to choose Hampden-Sydney and has played a significant role in his success on the Hill. In addition to being named a Madison Scholar, Ben is involved with and holds leadership roles in numerous clubs and organizations, including Cogito, the Philosophy Club, the Union-Philanthropic Literary Society (UPLS), and the Ethics Bowl Team. He is also a part of the Chi Beta Phi honorary society, the Alpha Chi Sigma Professional Chemistry Fraternity, the Wilson Leadership Fellows, Omicron Delta Kappa, and the President’s Men, and he serves as a tutor for western culture and philosophy, assistant to the clerk of the faculty, member of the Garnet & Grey Society, staff writer for the Tiger, and student representative on the Honors Council.
Ben credits his growth to the various clubs and organizations, the supportive environment, and the friendships he's built at Hampden-Sydney, all of which have motivated him to be more active, engaged, and involved in the community. He noted that his time on the Hill has helped him improve as a communicator and public speaker, become a stronger writer, and develop greater interpersonal skills, enhancing his roles in and out of the classroom.
“Being sociable and involved in the community is an essential part of being a good man and good citizen,” Ben says. “It allows you to connect with others and build meaningful relationships. During my time here, I’ve found that nothing has completely stood in the way of building meaningful relationships with fellow Hampden-Sydney students or members of the community.”
In addition to forming strong relationships, Ben has strengthened his ability to form more concrete ideas and perspectives through reading and writing—something that Hampden-Sydney strives to instill in its students. His dedication to writing was recognized early when he was awarded the Susan Pepper Robbins Prize in 2022 for the best freshman essay in rhetoric. He has also gained valuable insights from exploring a wide variety of books, an experience he finds both rewarding and enjoyable.
“I enjoy reading everything from academic texts to fantasy novels,” Ben says. "I like being able to dive into different topics and engage in all sorts of material—it makes reading a pleasure.”
Ben attributes much of his academic growth to the mentorship of Dr. Hight and Professor of Philosophy Patrick Wilson, who have played key roles in helping him sharpen his critical thinking and writing skills and develop as a student. During the summer following his freshman year, Ben had the opportunity to conduct philosophy research with Wilson, despite not having taken a class with him at that point. This experience was invaluable to Ben, as Wilson played a key role in his development as a motivated philosophy student. Ben’s efforts were further recognized when he received the Samuel S. Jones Phi Beta Kappa Award for Intellectual Excellence at the 2023 Commencement ceremony, honoring his research. With the benefit of Wilson’s high standards, Hight’s detailed feedback on papers, and their ongoing support, Ben learned to strengthen his ideas and communicate the underlying assumptions of his arguments with greater precision.
“I believe I've gained more intellectual humility since coming to Hampden-Sydney, largely thanks to the mentorship of Dr. Wilson and Dr. Hight,” Ben says. “They’ve challenged me in ways I never expected, which has been invaluable for my growth as a scholar. I’ve also learned a great deal from Jarrett Knight, executive director for Cogito, who brings a wealth of wisdom and life experience. My conversations and time with him have truly been some of my brightest moments at Hampden-Sydney.”
Keeping in mind the many lessons from his mentors, Ben has applied his knowledge to the fullest extent and doesn’t shy away from challenges, sharing that Modern Philosophy: Empiricists/Kant (PHIL 303) with Professor Hight and Complex Analysis (MATH 444) with Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science Brian Lins have been his most challenging courses thus far. Despite the difficulties, Ben finds enjoyment in pushing his limits and credits these courses with strengthening his resilience and his intellectual curiosity.
Building on the strong foundation he has established at Hampden-Sydney, Ben is determined to continue his academic journey and pursue a doctoral degree in philosophy or Juris Doctor degree in law. Having been recently honored with the President's Award for Academic Excellence in Natural Sciences and Mathematics at the 2024 Opening Convocation ceremony, he is certainly poised to achieve his goals, supported by the strong Hampden-Sydney foundation and lasting relationships he has built along the way.