MORAL COMPASS Tr ue Bear ings
A Lifelong Legacy of Leadership Raymond B. Bottom, Jr. (Alpha Tau–Hampden-Sydney ’48) BY HAMPTEN-SYDNEY COLLEGE (2018)
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ampden-Sydney College has lost a longtime supporter and champion with the passing of Raymond B. Bottom, Jr. ’51 (Alpha Tau–Hampden-Sydney ’48), who passed away on February 7, 2018, at the age of 88. "Ray Bottom believed strongly in our mission to form good men and good citizens, and for his entire life he remained a steadfast and enthusiastic supporter of his beloved alma mater, the Wilson Center for Leadership in the Public Interest, and the Kappa Alpha Order," said College President Larry Stimpert. "We will miss Ray's counsel and friendship, and we are ever grateful for all that he did for the men of Hampden-Sydney." A native of Hampton, Virginia, Mr. Bottom was the single most generous financial supporter in the history of Hampden-Sydney College. First elected to the Board of Trustees in 1973, Mr. Bottom received a number of honors from the College over the years, including the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award and the Keating Medallion, which recognizes outstanding service and extraordinary dedication to Hampden-Sydney. "I have never known a man more generous, more humble, and more willing to do anything to help his alma mater," said [now former] Dean of Admissions Anita H. Garland. "When I came to the College 38 years ago, he was one of the first alumni I met, and he has been an integral part of my life and that of our office since that time. I can't quite imagine recruiting a class of Hampden-Sydney men without him."
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The former chairman and editor-in-chief of the Daily Press newspaper, Mr. Bottom later served as chairman and chief executive officer of Centennial Communications, Inc. He earned a degree in physics from Hampden-Sydney College and served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force, retiring from the Air Force Reserves after a decorated 27-year career. Mr. Bottom remained an avid pilot throughout his life, often donating the use of his plane for charitable causes. He was also a passionate supporter of the Virginia Peninsula USO and the Virginia Air & Space Center, where he had served as a director. "Hampden-Sydney lost a good man this morning, and I lost a great friend," said Director of Admissions Jason Ferguson ’96 (Alpha Tau– Hampden-Sydney ’93) [Editor’s Note: Ferguson is now the Dean of Admissions]. "'Ray Bottom from Hampton' was one of Hampden-Sydney's best, and there is no one who loved this College more than he. Through his generosity and relentless recruiting efforts, he is responsible for countless young men having the opportunity to walk this campus and learn to share in his adoration for this special place." Mr. Bottom also served on the advisory board of the Wilson Center for Leadership in the Public Interest at Hampden-Sydney and remained active with the College's chapter of the Kappa Alpha Order. "Ray was an ardent supporter of the Kappa Alpha Order, and I was fortunate enough to befriend him in 1994 when I served as president of the fraternity," Ferguson said. "Over the
“Ray embodied all of the values of KA in every aspect of his life. However, he truly embodied the value of brotherhood. We speak of being bound to each other, for life, befriending and assisting our brothers, especially in times of need. That was Ray Bottom—always a friend, always there to lend a hand, and always there when you needed him. Countless brothers of KA and Hampden-Sydney men are better for knowing him. Ray was the most loyal, compassionate, and generous man that I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.” — Jason Ferguson (Alpha Tau–Hampden-Sydney ’93), Alumnus Advisor W W W. K A P PA A L P H AO R D E R .O R G
3/21/22 4:52 PM