THE FINAL CELEBRATION The final celebration of Through These Gates was held on February 7, 2009, with events highlighting the diverse and numerous goals reached during the course of this fundraising campaign. Guests began arriving early in the day to tour the new and renovated facilities made possible by alumni, parents, and friends. At midday, the Ceol na Gael Irish Pipe Band welcomed guests to the Kirk Athletic Center for a buffet luncheon in Snyder Hall. The band continued with Irish fight songs in Kirby Field House before the basketball game. Later in the evening, leadership donors attended a one-act play directed by Josh Jarrett ’09 in the renovated and expanded Johns Auditorium. Guests continued to a reception in the New Library and reviewed the recognition plaque that has been hung near the entrance of the building. V I S C OU N T A N D The evening V I S C OU N T E S S DE L I S L E continued in Pannill Commons of Settle Hall with
dinner, remarks, and a surprise unveiling of a portrait of William C. Boinest ’54, trustee chairman emeritus. Special guests of the evening included Viscount and Viscountess De Lisle, descendants of Algernon Sydney, and the Earl and Countess of Buckinghamshire, descendants of John Hampden. Lord De Lisle, the honorary chairman of the Campaign, said, “Hampden-Sydney justly has the reputation of being one of the foremost private colleges in America. The investment you have all made will give future generations who pass ‘Through These Gates’ even more opportunity to achieve new and greater goals.” Lord Buckinghamshire added: “HampdenSydney, with its strong traditions and the affections of all associated with the College, will—I know— continue to flourish.” He then presented to the College two antique portraits of John Hampden as E A R L & C OU N T E S S OF well as a lateBUC K I NG H A M S H I R E 18th-century engraved family tree of the Hampdens.