The Place I Ought to Be

“In high school, I thought about the sort of experience I wanted to have in college,” says Evan Old, a Hampden-Sydney College (H-SC) senior who will graduate in spring 2026 with a double major in biochemistry and philosophy.“ A couple of larger flagship state schools were on my radar, but I went to a small high school in Virginia Beach and enjoyed the culture we had there. Making the decision to attend Hampden-Sydney was easy.”

Evan’s goal was to become a physician. Before enrolling, he met with Professor Kristian Hargadon (’01), director of the pre-med committee, to talk about guaranteed admissions programs established with local medical schools.

“Even before I arrived on campus,” says Evan, “Hampden-Sydney was doing everything it could to help me succeed. Early on, faculty were willing to take me under their wing and help me acclimate. And on top of that, older students who themselves took time to adjust were committed to making sure incoming students would thrive and achieve academic excellence.”

“Students select us,” says Dr. Marc Hight, Thompson Professor of Philosophy, “because they want a small, high-touch liberal arts environment. Because of our unique offering, we have a student body that’s motivated and committed to both an academic culture and a culture of brotherhood. It’s a learning community where students help one another. We get our fair share of top students, but what makes our high-touch mentoring environment truly special is the way our program nurtures the intellectual growth of students who may not be at the top of their class.”

One experience Evan considers enormously valuable is the opportunity to participate in undergraduate research. At large institutions, research labs are typically staffed by graduate students. At Hampden-Sydney, professors recruit undergraduate students they know personally to work with them in their labs.

“A couple of professors approached me,” says Evan, “and the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. I was trying to decide whether to pursue an M.D. or a Ph.D., and having research experience was the only way for me to differentiate my two interests.”

Dr. Michael Wolyniak, McGavacks Professor of Biology and Director of Undergraduate Research, attributes much of the success of H-SC’s research program to the personal relationships faculty have with their students. Students grow as scholars, and working side by side with a professor helps them develop valuable soft skills that lead to success regardless of what they choose to do once they graduate.

“We want to give our students the best advantages possible when they apply for jobs, graduate schools, professional schools… wherever their path leads.”

The value of personal relationships also comes into play when finding outside research opportunities. Dr. Wolyniak taps into the H-SC network to find alumni in STEM fields with access to a lab or other opportunities. A formal internship program or financial resources to support students is not required; the school can provide that.

“We just need alumni who are willing to give their time to actually work with a student,” says Dr. Wolyniak.

“I’ve done two clinical research internships at Mayo Clinic. I got those connections through an alumnus who was willing to take me on—twice,” says Evan. “The experience gave me an opportunity to work not just with a Hampden-Sydney alum and the Mayo Clinic, but also with a wide array of medical specialists. I got to explore neurosurgery, some cardiology, and a bit of hepatology—all interesting fields of medicine. And that was a real blessing.”

As Evan reflects on his time at Hampden-Sydney and the opportunities the school and faculty afforded him, he knows he made the right decision. He is also clear about his responsibility as a graduate.

“Thinking back on my decision to attend, I realize those older students and engaged professors were the ones who made the connection for me,” says Evan. “Now, it’s my turn to carry that torch for the younger men at the school and to be an alumnus quick to serve others as they have served me.”