THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 2, 1996 TAG: 9605310018
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 38 lines
As a senior member of the Hampden-Sydney College faculty, I am grateful to staff writer Philip Walzer and the staff of The Virginian-Pilot for the excellent review on April 29 of the college's study of the merits of remaining an all-male institution. Alumni and friends of the college understand that this matter is being handled with the greatest care to ensure that Hampden-Sydney continues to do what it has done so well since its founding in 1776; that is, prepare students to live satisfying lives in the noblest sense of the phrase. Permit me, however, to respond in the most general terms to some observations included under the heading, ``What's Hot, What's Not.''
Unfortunately, like other institutions of higher learning, we are not able to avoid the ``culture problems'' that beset American society. It would be unfair, however, to cast Hampden-Sydney as an institution that suffers disproportionately from these problems. With minority students in elective student-government positions, on the board of trustees and as instructors in the classroom, and with our open invitation to area high-school students to take advantage of course offerings (usually free of charge), there is more than ample evidence that Hampden-Sydney invites people representing all economic classes, races and religions to become valued members of our college family.
As a transplanted ``Yankee'' who has called Hampden-Sydney home for 19 years, I take great pride in my association with an institution whose stated mission is to cultivate in young people the skills and knowledge needed to live satisfying lives and to be good citizens. Whether we decide to preserve our all-male status or become coed, I am confident that this mission will not change. This mission is our real ``strength'' and represents what is especially ``hot'' about the college.
DAVID E. MARION
Elliott professor of political science
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney, May 17, 1996 by CNB