James Barton, director of alumni relations at Hampden-Sydney College, delivers the keynote address for the upper school fall academic awards.

A 2002 graduate of Fuqua School, James Barton brought a world of experience with him when he came back to campus to deliver the keynote address for the Fuqua Upper School fall academic awards. 

From Fuqua School to Hampden-Sydney College, to Shanghai, then to Charlottesville, Barton has come back to his roots.  Now director of alumni relations at Hampden-Sydney, Barton’s goal is to more broadly engage the alumni population for the benefit of current student success and young alumni career outcomes.

“Fuqua School is a wonderful place for collaboration and creation … new things, new opportunities, new relationships — it is a gateway to new things throughout life,” Barton said as he spoke to students, faculty, staff and parents. 

“You choose, you decide how you will start.  That is power.  I challenge you to start the practice of a consistent, thoughtful process of making good choices.”