The Kirk-Viar $2-Million Challenge

Two alumni families have pledged two million dollars to help renovate Gammon Gymnasium. They now challenge you to help match that figure and complete the job.

Joseph F. Viar, Jr. of Alexandria and Bill and Shireen Kirk of Roanoke have each pledged $1 million to Hampden-Sydney College toward the expansion and renovation of Gammon Gymnasium. They now challenge other alumni and friends of the College to match their total gift of $2 million, by December 31, 2006.

The $6.8-million renovation of Gammon Gymnasium (built in 1939 and expanded in 1955 and 1969) will involve significant additions, totaling 17,634 GSF, to the existing building. The offices, locker rooms, weight room, training facilities, and classrooms for all field sports will be located in Gammon. Kirby Field House will continue to house the basketball team, the pool, and the Fitness Center.

The Gammon Gymnasium project is one of a three-part capital campaign which also includes a new library, now under construction, and significant additions to the endowment for scholarships and professorships.

JOE VIAR '63 was the founder and Chairman of Viar & Co., Inc., which was acquired by DynCorp in 1991; he is now retired. Viar has developed computer-related programs for communications and has served as technical consultant for IBM to investigate new techniques in data communications. He has worked with the Environmental Protection Agency, the Blue Cross-Blue Shield Medicaid Administration System, and the Lawyer's Title On-Line Search System to improve their communications systems, data processing, standards, and management planning.

While at Hampden-Sydney, Mr. Viar was a Dean's list student and co-captain of the football team. He was named to both the All Mason-Dixon and the All-Virginia Small College football teams. A Hampden-Sydney College Trustee for 20 years, Mr. Viar has long been an enthusiastic supporter of the College's athletic program. Mr. Viar has served as Chairman of the Alexandria Hospital Foundation and was a founder of the George Mason University Century Club. He was Vice-Chairman of the Virginia Olympic Committee and a member of the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership.

J.W. "BILL" KIRK III '72 is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Associated Asphalt, Inc., headquartered in Roanoke, Va. He served as Chairman of the Asphalt Institute Board of Directors in 2004. A native of Roanoke, Mr. Kirk began his career with Shell Oil Company in Philadelphia and then joined Fuel Oil and Equipment Company in 1976, becoming President in 1988. In 1997 Fuel Oil changed its name to Associated Asphalt, Inc. He is one of the newest Trustees of the College.

While at Hampden-Sydney, Mr. Kirk was a first-team All Mason-Dixon Conference defensive tackle on the 1971 Tiger squad that led the nation in defense. He has long been an enthusiastic supporter of the College's athletic program. Mr. Kirk chaired the successful $10.5 million campaign to build the new Salem Family YMCA and the Kirk Family YMCA in Roanoke, and is a past president and current board member of the Y. Mr. and Mrs. Kirk are active in many community organizations in Roanoke, including Blue Ridge Public Television, the Better Business Bureau, the Art Museum of Western Virginia, Child Health Investment Partnership, and the Conflict Resolution Center.

C. SHIREEN HAYES KIRK, an attorney, was born in Northern Ireland but considers herself a native of Norfolk. She graduated from the College of William & Mary in 1982 and from George Mason University School of Law in 1988. Mrs. Kirk, formerly a partner with Flippin, Densmore, Morse & Jessee, has been legal counsel for Associated Asphalt since 1998.

"We at Hampden-Sydney are very grateful for these generous gifts," said College President Walter M. Bortz III, "The concept of the scholar-athlete has long been a part of the Hampden-Sydney mission "to form good men and good citizens." The scholar-athlete deserves the best academic and athletic facilities possible. The new library and the major additions and improvements to Gammon Gymnasium will provide our students with both."

"Participation and involvement in athletics during our years at Hampden-Sydney had--and continue to have--a profound impact on our lives," Viar and Kirk agree. "We are proud to challenge former Tiger athletes and friends of the College's athletic program to raise $2 million more for the renovation of Gammon Gymnasium, before December 31, 2006."

Gifts of $10,000 or more will be recognized on a permanent bronze plaque in the renovated Gammon Gymnasium.

E-mail Beeler Brush, Vice-President of Institutional Advancement for more information about making a donation.