The Second Annual One Brotherhood Dinner witnessed a celebration of brotherly spirit, delectable food, and the fostering of connections among the student body. Kicking off the evening, Student Court Chairman Greyson Hurley ’24 issued a call to action. He urged his fellow brothers to be there for one another and support each other through thick and thin, noting that brotherhood is what pushes students to excel during their time on the Hill.
Greyson acknowledged the frequent use of the term brotherhood as students hear it constantly throughout their college experience, and he urged the student body to focus their thoughts on it: “Brotherhood is what makes Hampden-Sydney,” Greyson said. “It is what pushes us to grow in the classroom, on the field, and in our personal lives. We are here to celebrate each other's big days and help each other during tough moments.”
Hampden-Sydney alumnus Kirk Rohle ’12, a recipient of the NCAA Award for Valor—an accolade recognizing bravery and courageous actions by a college athlete—built upon Greyson’s remarks and emphasized the significance of the Hampden-Sydney brotherhood.
“From my knowledge, there is no other institution that has the entire student population under one roof for dinner,” Rohle said. “It exemplifies that we are one body, we are a community, and we are all in this together, no matter your background or your current ambitions.”
Rohle proclaimed that the Hampden-Sydney brotherhood lies on a foundation of serving others and placing others before oneself. He discovered this during his time on the Hill, saying, “From the brothers I shared the locker room with and the faculty that make this place special to the alumni who generously support this treasured institution, I've discovered what sets this institution apart from others. It is as simple as putting others before yourself.”
Rohle said he arrived on the Hill in 2008 with confidence in his football abilities. As some challenges on the field became apparent, freshmen, including Rohle, were invited to meet with the senior captains at their house. Despite initial nerves, he was surprised by the captain's genuine focus on the freshmen, emphasizing their importance for the team's success. “They were paying attention to us,” Rohle said. “They were observing us on and off the field. They further explained that our class is the future of this program, and we are needed for this team's success this year.” Such instances continued to reinforce this sense of brotherhood and camaraderie throughout Rohle’s time on the Hill.
In his senior year, Rohle's experience took a dramatic turn when a fire engulfed the house he shared with his roommates. Concerned that his friend, Benjamin Rogers ’12, who was asleep on the second floor had not escaped, Rohle bravely reentered the inferno, suffering second- and third-degree burns. Fortunately, his friends, including Rogers who had already escaped the flames, pulled him to safety.
As the students pondered Rohle's words, Student Body President Tommy Bishop ’24 offered words of encouragement: “Brotherhood can look different to all of us, and that is okay. There is no uniform definition for how brotherhood makes each person feel. But the undeniable factor is that it exists here, and we are all a part of something much larger than ourselves.”