The Kimberly Hampton Primary School, named for Presbyterian College alumna Kimberly Hampton, held a dedication ceremony on October 2, 2014 in Ft. Bragg, NC.

Kimberly Hampton ‘98 was assigned to 1^st Battalion, 82^nd Aviation Battalion, 82^nd Airborne Division out of Fort Bragg, NC. Her observation helicopter was shot down by enemy ground fire in Fallujah, Iraq, and she was the first woman to die in combat during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The new school named for Hampton combines students from three older, smaller Fort Bragg schools and is the first 21^st century school for the Defense Department’s Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools Office. The school includes computer labs, a video production studio and information center. Designed to achieve LEED Silver certification, the school utilizes renewable energy systems for electrical, wind and hot water which are incorporated into curriculum as an educational tool. The goal is to reach 40% energy savings.

The dedication ceremony for the school included a performance by the school’s students of an original song composed by the school’s music teacher. PC Executive Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving Leni Patterson ’83, and Vice President of Advancement Beth Braxton, were in attendance for the event as well as Mr. Larry Mulhall, Professor of Military Science while Kimberly was at PC and current Professor of Military Science LTC Brian J. Donley.

“It was an honor to attend the dedication ceremony for the Captain Kimberly Hampton Primary School,” said Patterson. “It seems fitting that a school should be named for one who took every advantage of the educational opportunities offered to her. I am certain the children attending this school will receive a high quality education and have doors open to them to excel in life, as Kimberly so obviously did.”

Click here to see a video of the dedication.