Hampden-Sydney College (H-SC) is a private men’s liberal arts college in Hampden Sydney, Virginia. Not only is it the tenth-oldest college in the United States, but it is also the oldest privately chartered college in the southern U.S., the oldest of only three four-year, all-male liberal arts colleges remaining in the country, and the last college founded before the American Declaration of Independence.
History
Samuel Stanhope Smith, a missionary in Virginia, was the college’s founder and first president. In 1775, he persuaded the Hanover Presbytery to establish a school east of the Blue Bridge. Smith chose the name Hampden-Sydney to honor the supporters of the principles of representative government, John Hampden and Algernon Sydney.
Since H-SC was founded before the proclamation of the Declaration of Independence, it was eligible for an official coat of arms and armorial bearings from the College of Arms of the Royal Household of the UK. In 1783, the school was granted a charter by the Virginia General Assembly, which was the oldest private charter in the South.
Academics & Campus
The 1300-acre campus includes a lake and Slate Hill Plantation, the historic location of the college’s founding. It is also host to several federal-style buildings. H-SC is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register. The college is also affiliated with the Presbyterian Church.
Hampden-Sydney College offers 50+ majors and minors. As of 2020, there are additional majors in engineering physics, biochemistry, and molecular biology. There are approximately 1,000 students enrolled, representing 30 states and numerous foreign countries. The campus is home to over 50 clubs on campus, including political, religious, a radio station, a pep band, sports clubs, and many social fraternities. Additionally, there are volunteer groups like Rotaract and Habitat for Humanity. Roughly 47% of the student population participates in Greek life.
For more information, visit: www.hsc.edu. The campus is located at: 172 Via Sacra, Hampden Sydney, VA 23943, United States.
Athletics – Tigers
The sports teams participate as members of the NCAA’s Division III in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). Since 1976, the Tigers were founding members of the ODAC.
The Tigers athletic teams include: baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, tennis, distance track, and club rugby.
Many student-athletes have gone on to be successful coaches, such as Russel Turner and Ryan Odom. Go Garnet & Gray!
Gifts
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