With the Hampden-Sydney student body together under one roof, the evening began with welcoming remarks from Student Body President Andrew Blankenship ’25. He encouraged his fellow brothers to reflect on the true value of brotherhood and consider how each individual can contribute to its growth for the benefit of all.
Andrew emphasized the significance of being a Hampden-Sydney student, highlighting that it involves playing a role in ensuring the long-term strength and security of the brotherhood’s future: “In my opinion, finding ways to celebrate and strengthen our brotherhood is among the best ways to contribute to its future.”
The history of the Hampden-Sydney brotherhood is as deep and rich as both the College and the nation itself. As Hampden-Sydney approaches its 250th anniversary, Charles Adams ’25 encouraged his fellow peers to reflect on the early years of both the College and the nation. He reminded them that Patrick Henry and James Madison, not only Founding Fathers of the nation but also founders of Hampden-Sydney, envisioned the College as a place where the ideals of a new American republic would not only be imagined but also put into practice and shared with the world, forming good men and good citizens.
“The mission of Hampden-Sydney College, as outlined in the original advertisement on September 1, 1775, was to form good men and good citizens based on the common, universal principles of morality,” Charles said. “The focus of our academic program on the English language, critical thinking, the liberal arts, and the pursuit of a virtuous life marked a significant departure from the crowd-controlled institutions of higher learning at the time.
"Even today, Hampden-Sydney stands as a stronghold of the founders' original vision," Charles continued. "This includes dreams of happiness, freedom of thought, expression, and religion, the development of critical thinking, the practice of civil discourse, and the formation of men who are virtuous and moral leaders, mentors, public servants, fathers, spouses, and much more.”
Charles emphasized the importance of civic virtue to the founders of the nation and the College, a fitting theme for Hampden-Sydney’s 250th anniversary. By centering the commemoration around civic virtue, we pay tribute to the founders who recognized its essential role in preserving liberty—among them Patrick Henry, whose iconic “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech was reenacted by the St. John’s Church Foundation.
Patrick Henry delivered his speech at the Second Virginia Convention on March 23, 1775, emphasizing the need for the American colonies to resist British oppression, calling for immediate action, and proclaiming liberty as a cause worth any sacrifice.
Before moving forward, the reenactor portraying Robert Carter Nicholas, the colony’s treasurer, addressed the student body about their role during the convention: “Each of you has an important part to play here,” Nicholas said. “You are not spectators but delegates at this convention, as if your county had elected you to participate. When something comes up for a vote, make a decision, and vote—each of you holds an important responsibility for the future of your country.”