Intriguing, thought-provoking, and intellectual — these are the words that members use when discussing their experiences in Hampden-Sydney’s chapter of the Alexander Hamilton Society (AHS). “The Alexander Hamilton Society (AHS) is a non-partisan, not-for-profit, national organization that seeks to identify, educate, and launch young men and women into foreign policy and national security careers imbued with the Hamiltonian perspective of strong and principled American leadership in global affairs,” according to the Alexander Hamilton Society website.
Since its establishment on the Hill in 2020, AHS has profoundly impacted its members, prompting them to think more critically and expand their perspectives on foreign policy and national security. At the forefront stand the president of Hampden-Sydney's chapter, William Gardner ’25, and vice president, Devan Modak ’26, who recently represented the College at the 2023 Student Leadership Conference in Washington D.C., hosted by the national organization.
The conference kicked off on Thursday evening with a career fair and a cocktail reception, followed by welcoming remarks from the executive director of the Alexander Hamilton Society, Gabriel Scheinmann, and an awards ceremony. Friday featured several panels focused on foreign affairs, policy, and leadership, one of which included Wheat Visiting Professor in Leadership John Hillen, who serves as the advisor for the Hampden-Sydney chapter.
“The weekend aimed to inspire committed participation in the organization and thoroughly prepare us for the upcoming academic year,” William says. “One remarkable aspect of this conference was the opportunity it provided us to tap into an extended network. We could represent the College's mission while building connections with individuals from across the nation, all the while exploring diverse fields.”
Devan concurred with Will’s remarks, adding, “The event acted as a catalyst for discussions on specific topics we could raise in our chapter meetings. The provided topics for discussion and lectures were refreshing, often involving lesser-known subjects that allow us to conduct research and discuss further at Hampden-Sydney.”
On Saturday, William and Devan embarked on separate day sessions. William immersed himself in a workshop focused on crisis simulation and international diplomatic negotiations. Engaging in various negotiation simulations and roleplaying different parties, his group delved into the intricacies of bargaining. Meanwhile, Devan explored the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, a branch of the National Air and Space Museum. Guided by a former B-2 Bomber pilot, the group toured the museum courtesy of the Alexander Hamilton Society. The tour was followed by a lunch gathering, during which three speakers engaged the group in a stimulating intellectual discussion.
“The experiential learning component of the conference was fantastic,” Devan exclaimed. “As someone intrigued by aviation, I discovered numerous avenues of interest to pursue, reaffirming my aspirations for a career in aviation.”
The conference concluded on Sunday with a student panel, a public service and national security career panel, and other engaging discussions.
“This conference opened my eyes to how much support we have from our national organization,” William says. “It felt great to highlight our values and mission while forging new friendships with individuals from other institutions.”
In just the three years of its presence on campus, Hampden-Sydney’s AHS chapter has grown considerably thanks to thoughtful and dedicated leadership from students like founder Kevin Canny ’21 and third president, Mike Daum ’23, who played a pivotal role in bringing the chapter to national recognition. As of the 2022-2023 academic year, the Hampden-Sydney chapter ranked sixth on the chapter leaderboard for overall involvement, surpassing prestigious institutions, including Columbia University, Princeton University, Duke University, and Harvard University.
The Hampden-Sydney chapter arranges discussions with AHS-approved speakers and professors, providing students insider access to industry experts on foreign policy, national security, and economic statecraft. Additionally, the chapter facilitates student group conversations and coordinates workshops dedicated to exploring impactful books on the history of American statecraft.
“The national AHS organization possesses an extensive list of speakers, and we apply to host them on campus,” William says. “All of our speaker events are open to the public, which is a great benefit to the College community.”
William and Devan highlighted the significance of the chapter’s former advisor Lieutenant Colonel Rucker Snead ’81, who worked to create a national security minor. Believing that a minor in national security would support the College’s mission to form good men and good citizens, Snead sought student support and backed the student community interested in the minor. Although the Alexander Hamilton Society was initially established for those drawn to careers in national security, Snead’s dedicated efforts helped transform it into something more.
“You need good men and good citizens to provide for the common defense,” William says. “Colonel Snead saw the College as a great place to establish a national security minor, and because of his dedication, the Alexander Hamilton Society has grown to be the invaluable organization on campus that it is today.”
As chapter members head into the academic year, they plan to focus on several topics at meetings and events, including economics, natural resources, and geopolitics, to tap into the other departments of Hampden-Sydney and co-host events with related economic and political student organizations. The chapter will continue to focus on providing invaluable interactions with national security and foreign affairs professionals; strengthening Hampden-Sydney’s national profile; and forming good men, good citizens, and sound intellectual scholars who will make a positive difference in the world.
Official Photos by Jeff Song Photography