Dean Klein,
Thank you. Thank you for your leadership. Thank you for the countless hours you put towards helping our community grow. Thank you for shaping the lives of many by being a role model for every one of us. Thank you for actually putting forth the effort and being an actual Hampden-Sydney Man you were taught to be.
This past week has not been easy for any of us. Your sudden departure left us all in a haze of confusion. Although we do not have all the information, we do have our suspicion that your resignation was forced and not voluntary. As students, we felt it was necessary for the administration to see our distaste to how your resignation was handled. I am sure you are already aware, but we had a protest in your regards on Thursday morning at Atkinson.
We protested in your honor. We protested because it is not fair for us to see such a leader of our brotherhood be stripped of all duties within a 24 hour time frame. We protested because we felt that a man like you is a product of what Hampden-Sydney College produces. Not only did we protest because we love you like an older brother, but because you are our older brother.
Your family has been there for us, and now we will be there for you. We do not know what our future entails, but we do know that we will support you until the end.
One of the greatest aspects of the Hampden-Sydney community is the amount of alumni that continue to serve our college long after many of them have graduated. You sir, have served as a priceless asset to our college and we will forever be in your debt.
In his speech, President Stimpert said that he was all ears to our concerns. Well Dean Klein, we will not shy away from OUR concerns and press the fact we want to know answers. I understand that with new leadership comes new changes; however, we do not understand to why you yourself were not able to at least say goodbye to us.
If your departure from the college was on your deceptive intentions, then shame on you, because a Hampden-Sydney Man will not lie, steal, or cheat. Yet if so, then we are our brothers keepers and will help support you to be on track to be on par with our Honor Code expectations.
But you know what Dean Klein, we can assure you that for any one who attended the protest felt in no such way was your departure at all dishonorable. That is why we just want to know the truth. As John Axsom would say, "Hampden-Sydney is a personal place."
That being said, we will continue to voice our opinion in hopes to finding a solution with our new administration. The majority of us can appreciate President Stimpert's attendance at the protest, yet that merely shows his courage as a leader. Actions speak louder than words.
So on behalf of our Tiger community, we wish you the best in your en-devours for we know that where ever you will end up, you'll succeed as a Hampden-Sydney Man.
Dean Klein, we can only wish to see you back on 'The Hill' soon.
Love,
Your Younger Hampden-Sydney Brothers
