To the thousands of students of Longwood University and Hampden-Sydney College, we welcome you back to the heart of Virginia.

We especially extend warm open-armed greetings to the freshmen classes of both institutions, our newest members of the community.

You are now a part of Farmville, and we’re glad of that.

Though we’re happy you’re here and have returned, we’re even more excited about what you’re going to add and contribute to our community. Through your athleticism, service projects, research and academia, fraternity and sorority benevolence and volunteering, we’re certain that you’ll make this a better place to live, work and play for all of us, together.

This community appreciates what you’ve already done and what you’re going to do.

Longwood and Hampden-Sydney are both well-known for their institutional support of the people, culture and history that surrounds them.

And we encourage you to continue to walk down that path, students.

We ask that you not only embrace the rich history of these institutions, but we implore you to explore and take advantage of ours as well — not only in Farmville but in the surrounding area.

And don’t stop at history, but learn about our culture. When you see one of your new neighbors walking along Buffalo Street, stop and say hi. When you’re eating out with some of your college roommates, strike up a conversation with the person adding up your bill. When you’re grocery shopping, say hey to the checkout clerk and ask him how his day was.

We’ll do the same with our down-home hospitality.

What you will learn from being here for the next few years of your life will carry you very far and allow you to become successful after college. A big part of that success will come from your leadership on campus, academic work and contributions to our community — all of which we look forward to observing as your neighbors.

We’re here to help and encourage you along the way.

May our community’s future become stronger because of our united heartbeat.