Hampden-Sydney Student John Wirges Receives Keith Berwick Scholarship

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John Wirges, a junior at Hampden-Sydney College

HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, VA (02/10/2014)(readMedia)-- John Edward Wirges, a junior at Hampden Sydney College, has been awarded the Keith Berwick Endowed Scholarship for Enlightened Leadership. This scholarship is given to a student at Hampden-Sydney who demonstrates the noble character, leadership, empathy, wisdom, and commitment to serving humanity that are the hallmarks of Berwick's life.

Established by friends, students, and colleagues of Keith Berwick, this scholarship recognizes and honors Berwick's leadership and service on the occasion of his 85th birthday. The founding Executive Director of the Henry Crown Fellowship Program at the Aspen Institute, Berwick has enjoyed a stellar career as an educator, historian, publisher, broadcaster, and editor. A four-time Emmy winner for his television work, he is also an accomplished author of historical works relating to the founding of America.

Hampden-Sydney President Christopher Howard, who was in the second class of Aspen Institute Henry Crown Fellows, said, "John is a worthy recipient of this scholarship which honors my friend and mentor, Keith Berwick. John is one of Hampden-Sydney's finest and will bring honor to Keith as he has to the College."

Senior leadership at H-SC selected John as the perfect first recipient for this scholarship. Among a long list of activities, John is a member of ROTC, the President's Leadership Council, the Board of Publications, the Society for Collegiate Journalists, the Garnet & Grey Society (student tour guides), and the social fraternity Chi Phi. He was elected General Manager of the student-run radio station and was responsible for bringing Tiger Radio online. John spent the summer of 2013 in Kenya on a Department of Defense-funded study-abroad program, learning the Swahili language and politics and culture of Kenya. A major in Foreign Affairs, with minors in Rhetoric and Military Leadership and National Security, John is an Eagle Scout and a graduate of Landstown High School and is the son of Tom & Sarah Wirges of Virginia Beach.

A private college for men, Hampden-Sydney is ranked nationally in the top 100 of liberal arts colleges by U.S. News & World Report. The College is known for its liberal arts curriculum, the Honor Code which stresses individual and collective responsibility, and a focus on the education of young men.