THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 2, 1996 TAG: 9605300021
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 41 lines
As an alumnus of Hampden-Sydney College, I feel that your April 29 article misrepresents the facts about the treatment of minorities and gays at the college. While I cannot speak directly to the gay experience, I can speak about the wonderful experience I enjoyed as a black student at Hampden-Sydney, one I continue to enjoy as a member of the administration. I understand that you used a guide book as reference for your ``What's Hot, What's Not'' section, but I would like to think that if you really wanted to learn the truth, you would have interviewed one or more of the black students instead of simply printing the guide's assessment.
I realize that Hampden-Sydney isn't the most diverse college campus in America (neither is Howard, or Hampton, or Norfolk State or Virginia Union, for that matter), but it is a very good college for minority students. If you investigate the success rate of the African-American graduates from Hampden-Sydney, you will find many entrepreneurs, investment bankers, educators, doctors, lawyers and numerous other professionals. During ``Black Alumni Weekend,'' it is truly an inspirational experience to learn and network with the brilliant men (one of whom is a Rhodes scholar) who return to campus to mentor the current students. You never stop being a Hampden-Sydney man, no matter what color your skin.
Coming to Hampden-Sydney changed my life forever. I was presented opportunities that would never have been afforded me at another institution - from being a resident adviser, to being nominated to Who's Who Among College and University Students, to the White House internship in my junior year, to my current position as assistant dean of admissions. I will never be able to repay ``my'' college for what it has given me.
Just for the record, I am in favor of Hampden-Sydney remaining single-sex. Education is the only antidote for ignorance and many other social ills that plague America. Hampden-Sydney isn't for everyone, but for those it is for, there's nowhere else on Earth we'd rather be.
CRAIG A. JONES
Assistant dean of admissions
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney, May 12, 1996 by CNB