When asked to reflect on his philanthropy at Randolph-Macon, Carrick Mollenkamp ’91 quickly responded: “I don’t give back nearly enough for what I received at Randolph-Macon. Not nearly enough.”

Carrick arrived on campus in late summer 1987 to practice with the Randolph-Macon soccer team. It was his first visit to campus. An Atlanta native hoping to play college soccer, he responded to a letter from Coach Helmut Werner. It was late in the recruitment season, but Carrick took a chance on RMC. He boarded a plane with two suitcases, thinking he might transfer after a semester. 

But he quickly fell into life at Randolph-Macon. His experiences and relationships contributed to the success he experienced professionally and personally. “I came to Randolph-Macon to play soccer. But my English major and extracurricular activities bridged to a career in journalism, including jobs in London and New York City. If it wasn’t for a copy-editing class, my English professors, running the school paper, and an internship at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, I never would have had a career in reporting.”  

A particularly meaningful experience came when he enrolled in Ray Berry’s Artistic Problems J-Term Class. “Ray’s course taught me a more rigorous thought process critical to my career development. I also began the study of karate under Ray, a practice that benefitted my personal life in an extraordinary way.”

Carrick said that though he wasn’t a history major, after taking a course with Dr. James Scanlon, the two spent afternoons walking around Ashland with Scanlon’s English Setter. “By the grace of God, here was a professor who took the time to talk about my studies—and just life in general.”

As he reflects on each unique experience and path he took at Randolph-Macon, Carrick said, “I wouldn’t have scripted anything differently. Pledging Phi Delta Theta was a decision made after just a few months on campus. The friendships have lasted 30 years.”

Carrick has developed a relationship with President Lindgren on the President’s trips to New York City and during trips to school where he has seen the dramatic changes on campus. “The connectivity President Lindgren and Athletic Director Jeff Burns have maintained helps me see the impact I can have on campus. I like supporting soccer. I donate to the arts to give back a fraction of what Ray Berry gave me. This year, as a result of the historic challenges the school faces as a result of COVID, I eagerly supported the Randolph-Macon Annual Fund.”

Carrick made his initial gifts to the college in the 1990s and then resumed his support in 2013. He has been a consistent and loyal supporter ever since. “There are many important causes to support, especially now. If college shaped your life, it deserves consideration as a welcome debt owed. Randolph-Macon gave me a great deal. I give as much as I can.”