HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, VA (05/15/2013)(readMedia)-- Michael Holland Larkins, Class of 2013, was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army on May 12th during commencement ceremonies marking the end of the 238th academic year at Hampden-Sydney College. Larkins was commissioned by Commander (Retired) Markel Larkins, his father. Pinning his gold bars were his mother, Diana Larkins, and his sister, Alicia Larkins. The family makes their home in Fairfax.
Lt. Larkins will report to the Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC) at Ft. Lewis, WA. There he will serve as a trainer for ROTC cadets. Following the completion of LADC in July, he will report to Ft. Benning, GA, to attend the Infantry Basic Officer Leader Course and Ranger School.
Larkins graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in foreign affairs. While at Hampden-Sydney he was a member of the ROTC program through the University of Richmond and completed Hampden-Sydney's requirement for the Military Leadership/National Security Studies program. He participated in research at the Political, Social, and Military Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies at the National Defense University and received the James Y. Simms National Security Studies Award, recognizing a senior who has excelled in the field of national security studies. Larkins played halfback on the varsity football team for four years and was named to the All-ODAC Academic Football Team each year. He served as Vice President of the Tiger Athletic Club and is a member of the Big Brothers Mentor Program and the honor society Omicron Delta Kappa (leadership).
A private college for men, Hampden-Sydney is ranked in the top tier 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.