THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 3, 1996 TAG: 9603010007
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 33 lines
Regarding ``Save Hampden-Sydney's uniqueness'' (letter, Feb. 19):
From 1969-1973, I was in the unique position of attending all-male Hampden-Sydney College, wearing skirts which were required at the time by my alma mater, nearby Longwood College. My major, Latin, was not offered by Longwood, so the majority of my college credits were earned with the boys at Hampden-Sydney.
From my perspective, the uniqueness of Hampden-Sydney has little to do with the fact that it is one of the few all-male nonmilitary schools in the United States. Hampden-Sydney was a unique college when same-sex schools were commonplace.
Hampden-Sydney attracts faculty members who are truly teachers rather than academic elitists who see students as a necessary occupational aggravation. Class size is proportional to the small size of the college; professors know your name.
Much of the uniqueness of Hampden-Sydney is founded in its 220-year history. It has survived economic and political changes, wars, fires and even the class of 1973. Hampden-Sydney derives its uncommon excellence from factors far more important than a preponderance of testosterone.
GAYLE NICOLAS SCOTT
Chesapeake, Feb. 19, 1996 by CNB