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Class of 2012
Preston Hildebrand
In the Right Place at the Right Time
As the first college chartered in the United States under the patronage of the first president, Washington College certainly has strong ties to American history. Students such as Preston Hildebrand '12 are taking advantage of those connections.
As an incoming freshman, Preston participated in the pre-orientation trip aboard the replica 18th-century schooner Sultana. Learning to live for a few days without the modern conveniences of electricity and running water was a fun experience for him. Plus, as a native Virginian, he was excited to learn about Maryland's Eastern Shore.
Last semester, Preston enrolled in the American Pictures art history class, which was taught in conjunction with the American Pictures Distinguished Lecture Series (sponsored by the College's C.V. Starr Center, the Smithsonian Institution, and the National Portrait Gallery). The focus of the class and lectures was to closely examine one American artwork at a time.
"On the first day, the professors just walked in, projected a painting, and said 'What do you think?'" Preston recalls. "We did a lot of freethinking about art and art history. Not many people have a class like that."
In addition to the programs, Preston has connected with the people at Washington College. When Henry Wiencek (the Starr Center's first Patrick Henry Writing Fellow) read Preston's high school research project on World War II, he recommended the young man for the Presidential Fellows program. This select group of students visited such historical spots as Mount Vernon and the Annapolis State House.
What does such a busy student do to relax? An avid trombonist, Preston calls playing music a "stress reducer." He has played trombone in both the Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo, and looks forward to playing in the new Gibson Center for the Arts, slated to open this fall.
Coming from central Virginia, Preston notes that WC was not originally on his radar. But visiting the college definitely made all the difference for him. After touring campus and dropping in on several history, philosophy and international studies classes, he was ready to apply Early Decision.
Besides the academic world, Preston has also enjoys dorm life. "I just leave my door open, and people can stop to talk." Such interaction is important to Preston; "You have to make yourself available to meet new people."
Campus Event Appearances
Look for Preston in these event photos.