Answering The Call: Hampton Alumna Alyssa Sutton ‘12 Reaches Back to Charter The Rocks Inc. Military Organization Alyssa Sutton, a 2012 Hampton University graduate and retired Second Lieutenant, is the president of the newly established Hampton University chapter of The Rocks Inc., a military mentorship and professional development organization. Answering the call is no easy feat. As the saying goes, “Many are called, few are chosen” rings true for Hampton Alumna, c/o ’12, Alyssa Sutton. Alyssa has served her country in the military and civilian sector by enlisting into the Army upon graduation from Hampton University, retiring, and now working for the Government as a civilian. During her time here at Hampton, Sutton majored in psychology, worked part-time at fast food restaurants, and served as a peer counselor while maintaining her full scholarship as a Hampton University Army ROTC cadet. As Sutton strove to make her mark in her military career, she faced obstacles that thwarted the timeliness 6 THE HAMPTONIAN
of her plans, mainly due to injuries. However, in a true Hamptonian spirit, Sutton never backed down and continued pressing forward to secure her spot as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army. Once she completed all the training required for her position as a Medical Service Officer in an Infantry Brigade in Fort Benning, Georgia. Unfortunately, Sutton’s injuries did not heal as hoped, so she was honorably discharged and retired, something Sutton had not planned for; however, she went on to work as a Program Manager for the Federal Government in Washington D.C. Coming full circle, Sutton volunteered to carry out the vision of President Darrell K. Williams in chartering The Rocks Inc. Chapter on Hampton University’s campus--An organization with goals to strengthen military officers and senior civilian corps by serving as a worldclass organization that provides mentorship, coaching, networking, and professional development. Hampton University is the first HBCU to hold The Rocks Inc. chapter on its campus, thus making another historical feat for Hampton University. When no one answered the call to be President, Sutton stood bravely and answered the call. From then on, she began to work to create an interest group comprised of Hampton Military alumni, and the organization started to grow. Sutton looks to bring all Hampton University military
