When Erik Gottmann ’25, a cadet at Virginia Military Institute boarded a flight to Austria for a ski trip with his family over winter furlough, he had no way of knowing he and his brothers would be an essential part of a Christmas miracle.

VMI has been designated as one of only ten colleges in the nation to be named a “Community of Practice” from Braver Angels, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting civil discourse, in their College Debates and Discourse Program, through a grant from the John Templeton Foundation.

The Superintendent regrets to inform the VMI community of the death of Col. Patrick “Pat” Mayerchak, professor emeritus, who passed away on Dec. 28, 2022, at the age of 79.

VMI welcomes guest speaker Shaquem Griffin on Feb. 1 at 7:45 p.m. in Gillis Theater, Marshall Hall. Griffin, who played in the NFL for the Seattle Seahawks as a linebacker, has only one hand. The event is free and open to the public as part of the CLE’s Courageous Leadership speaker series.

Col. Tom Timmes ’92, professor of civil and environmental engineering, and Institute and Corps Sgt. Maj. Tom Sowers, were recognized recently by Jim Schaus, Southern Conference league commissioner for being named members of the All-Southern Conference Faculty and Staff Team for AY22-23.

The Jackson House Museum seeks volunteers to assist in the museum gift shop. Volunteering at the local historic site provides unique opportunities to interact with visitors from across the country, promote local history, and gain experience working in a museum as well as in retail.

The day was sunny and brisk on Dec. 21 as 22 cadets crossed the stage in Memorial Hall to receive their diplomas during the commencement ceremony. The evening before, the Joint Commissioning Ceremony was held in which four graduating cadets were commissioned to the Army and one to the Navy.

Col. Spencer Bakich, professor of international studies and the director of the National Security Program at Virginia Military Institute, has been named a recipient of the 2023 Outstanding Faculty Awards announced by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV).

Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins ‘85, VMI superintendent, reflects on the many accomplishments of the VMI community during the past year. In academics, military life, and athletics, cadets, faculty, and staff proudly represented the Institute with dedication, hard work, and competitive excellence.

Maj. Brian Donaldson, pipe band director at Virginia Military Institute will be featured on the public radio program, With Good Reason on Christmas Eve, Saturday, Dec. 24.