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Celebrating the life of Thomas H. Shomo.
Agreed to by the Senate, February 12, 2026
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 16, 2026
WHEREAS, Thomas H. Shomo, an esteemed higher education administrator and beloved member of the Hampden-Sydney College community, died on December 1, 2025; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Shomo attended Hampden-Sydney College in the late 1960s, beginning a span of more than 50 years in which he was involved with the school; and
WHEREAS, after graduating in 1969, Thomas Shomo advanced Hampden-Sydney College's academic mission and values in various leadership capacities, including as an admissions officer, director of financial aid, assistant dean of students, and interim dean of students; and
WHEREAS, beyond his professional roles, Thomas Shomo made an indelible imprint on Hampden-Sydney College as the author of
To Manner Born, To Manners Bred: A Hip-Pocket Guide to Etiquette for the Hampden-Sydney Man
, a booklet that continues to be distributed each year to the school's new class of freshmen; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Shomo retired after many years as Hampden-Sydney College's director of communications and remained a familiar presence on campus in his retirement at the regular etiquette dinners, Omicron Delta Kappa initiations, and other events he hosted; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Shomo was active with the Society of Collegiate Journalists and served as chair of Hampden-Sydney College's Board of Publications, supporting the school's print and radio media endeavors; and
WHEREAS, during its centennial in 2023, the Lambda Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa at Hampden-Sydney College established the Thomas H. Shomo '69 Omicron Delta Kappa Award for Leadership Potential to recognize Thomas Shomo's legacy of contributions to the school; and
WHEREAS, in one of his final acts at the institution, Thomas Shomo was serving as co-chair of Hampden-Sydney College's 250th Anniversary Committee; and
WHEREAS, in his spare time, Thomas Shomo was an avid gardener, embracing the same values of order and beauty that characterized his longstanding campaign to promote civility in his professional life; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Shomo will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by numerous family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Thomas H. Shomo, a cherished member of the Hampden-Sydney College community whose light brightened countless lives; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Thomas H. Shomo as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.