Hampden-Sydney College alumni are showing a big welcome to Dr. John Lawrence “Larry” Stimpert, who was named the college’s 25th president on Thursday.

“I am excited and happy about the selection of Dr. Stimpert as Hampden-Sydney’s 25th president,” said alum Scott Harwood, owner of Harwood and Son Insurance in Farmville. “I had the pleasure of meeting him briefly last week, and I feel certain he will take the college to a new level.”

He said that “Stimpert and his family will make a fine addition to the H-SC community, and I look forward to watching the college prosper under his leadership.”

Stimpert said he believes there is a great need for the type of education offered at H-SC, and he looks forward to strengthening the reputation of the school.

“In the process of selecting our new president, we thought hard about what

it will take for this college to continue to thrive as we head towards our 250th anniversary,” said Hampden-Sydney Board of Trustees Chairman, M. Peebles Harrison ‘89. “As a result of that evaluation, it was important we thought that we hire someone with a thorough understanding of the current business model in higher education.”

Harrison said two important features outlined in the leadership profile called for a someone that had an understanding of traditions associated with a liberal arts college and who could bring forth the necessary practices to guide a college.

“I am thrilled at the naming of Dr. Stimpert as our 25th president,” said Hampden Sydney’s Dean of Students David Klein, who graduated from the college in 1978. “He is the perfect selection for us at this time. His hiring underscores the college’s commitment to primacy of our academic mission and his focus on educating the whole person dovetails beautifully with our mission.”

Stimper said being named the president of college is a great leadership opportunity and referred to Hampden-Sydney as a distinctive school.

Stimpert, who succeeds former president Dr. Christopher Howard, formerly held the position of vice president for academic affairs at DePauw University in Indiana.

“I’ve been working in liberal arts colleges for the last 20 years, and I have a real passion for liberal arts colleges,” Stimpert said.

Harrison said during the interview process, Stimpert outlined goals for the college, which included raising the profile of Hampden-Sydney, enhancing its reputation, increasing the endowment and creating a solid admission and recruiting net revenue.

“I’m very much excited about Dr. Stimpert joining the Hampden-Sydney community and serving as the 25th president of the college,” said Clem Venable IV, ‘09. “Dr. Stimpert’s background gives me complete confidence that he will continue to move Hampden-Sydney College in the right direction.”

Stimpert said one of the things that impressed him about Hampden-Sydney was the level of loyalty displayed by alumni. “It’s just phenomenal,” he said.

Byron Scott Jones, ‘11, said he believes Hampden-Sydney hired a quality president. “One thing I would like to see President Stimpert take initiative on is bringing a stronger Greek life back to H-SC,” said Jones. “Since graduating in 2011, I have personally seen a steady decline in the enrollment (and) participation of Greek life on campus. Greek life at H-SC helped shaped who I am today along with the rigorous academic standards of the institution. It is my hope that President Stimpert implements a strategy to get more involved with Greek life.”