Hampden-Sydney president speaks to students

By: Business Monday - Jim Charapich | Culpeper Star Exponent
Published: October 22, 2012

I often write about the unique relationship that our business community has with the educational system in Culpeper. This was once again confirmed on Friday morning as over 35 local business and public organization professionals assembled to meet with the sophomore and senior classes of the Culpeper County School System.

This year we were especially blessed to have Dr. Howard, President of Hampden Sydney College join us to speak to the students. Dr. Howard, one of the youngest college presidents in the country was able to connect with the students on many levels in a 30-minute discussion about his “Five B’s”. There are no words to describe his powerful message. Be Yourself, Be Humble, Be a Leader, Be Courageous, Be the Future that you want to see, plus anecdotal stories to inspire the students outline his comments.

The students followed the Dr. Howard session with 30 minutes at the Career Expo. Our businesses noticed a difference this year. Coming from such a powerful presentation about personal responsibility and achievements set the stage for attentive discussions with local business leaders. We try to improve this program each year and this year will be hard to surpass.

Our business areas of expertise included global high tech, Advanced Manufacturing – Euro Composites & Cintas Corporation, banking – Wells Fargo & Virginia National Bank, accounting – Yount Hyde & Barbour and Nicholas Jones, Federal Aviation Administration, local government – Town of Culpeper, Library of Congress, local law enforcement – Culpeper Sheriff’s Office & Culpeper Town Police, Culpeper Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, Virginia State Police Special Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Culpeper Star-Exponent, Culpeper School of Cosmetology, Culpeper Regional Health System, Powell Wellness Center, Library of Congress, Culpeper Times, branches of the US Armed Forces, Culpeper Farmers Coop, Virginia Tech Extension Office, veterinary services, Germanna Community College, agribusiness – Blue Ridge Growers, Real Estate & Construction – ReMax Cross Roads / Jim Gearing, retail – Petersen Jewelers, and Rappahannock Electric. Thank you to these organizations for your extraordinary support for advancing academic excellence in our schools.

Randi Richards Lutz – Career & Technical Education Director for Culpeper County Schools worked with administrators and teachers to bring the students to the expo. She and associates worked until 11 p.m. on Thursday evening to have the gymnasium ready for the expo on Friday morning. Their commitment to advancing opportunities for the students of Culpeper is commendable. I am very proud of our school system for their diligent, unwavering, and passionate work to deliver education to our work force of tomorrow.

When we can reflect on a day and know that we have changed lives. When we can stand at the end of the day and know that today was better than last year. When you can see that the talent and passion of our generation was passed along to hundreds of the next generation. Not only do we feel accomplished as business professionals, but now we know what it is like to be a teacher. Thank you to our educators for your excellence.

Jim Charapich is the President/CEO of the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce. He can be reached at JimC@CulpeperChamber.com.