Scooter Thomas Commissioned at Hampden-Sydney College Graduation

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Lt. Thomas with his parents and Lt. Gen. Boykin

HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, VA (05/18/2012)(readMedia)-- Edward Franklin Thomas III, Class of 2012, was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps on May 13th during commencement ceremonies marking the end of the 237th academic year at Hampden-Sydney College.

Thomas was commissioned by Lieutenant General W. Gerald Boykin, assisted by Staff Sergeant Caleb Donnelly. Pinning his gold bars were his father, Ed Thomas, and his mother, Caroline Thomas of Birmingham. Lt. Thomas received his first salute from Staff Sergeant Caleb Donnelly.

Thomas graduated with a B.A. in religion. 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. Thomas served as Treasurer for the social fraternity Lambda Chi Alpha and was a member of the Garnet & Grey Society (admissions tour guides) and the Acousticals (a capella group). During the spring of 2011, he interned at The Institute of World Politics in Washington, DC. Thomas completed the U.S. Marine Corps Officer Candidate School PLC Option and will report to the Marine Corps Basic School at Quantico.

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 needs of young men.