VMI Stories - Virginia Military Institute

Lt. Gen. David Furness '87 speaks from the podium in Cameron Hall during Matriculation.

Institute News

Lt. Gen. Furness’ First Year in Review

Lt. Gen. David Furness ’87 recently reflected on the first year of his tenure as the 16th superintendent of Virginia Military Institute, and described it as a fast-paced, fun-filled year of learning.

Lt. Gen. David Furness '87 speaks from the podium in Cameron Hall during Matriculation.

The Cadet Battery renders a 15-gun salute during the Founders Day parade Nov. 11.

Special Events

VMI Observes its 187th Anniversary

Capt. Eli Facemire ’19, Corbin Stynes ’19, Capt. Jordan Farmer ’19, Lt. Gen. David Furness ’87, Lt. Gen. William Bowers ’90, and Ben Dudek ’19 present Gavin Jones ’27 with an officer sword in memory of Capt. Jack Casey ’19, at the Marine Corps Birthday Ball Nov. 7.

Institute News

Jones Receives Officer Sword in Memory of Casey

Lt. Gen. David Furness ’87, Lynda Furness, and Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ’62 admire the granite bench in memory of Pamela Jane Peay in the garden of the Superintendent’s Quarters.

Institute News

Bench Dedication Honors Pamela Peay

Students from various colleges and military academies share their ideas during an exercise using the “Three Keys to Successful Negotiating,” in the Hall of Valor Oct. 26.

Institute News

Annual Leadership & Ethics Conference Held at VMI

Cadet Cameron Jones, Class of 2027

Behind The Balance

Behind the Balance: Cameron Jones ’27 — Keydet Women’s Soccer

Cadet Gracie Harlow, Class of 2027

Cadet Spotlight

Study Abroad Ambassadors: Gracie Harlow ’27

Cadet Bailey Pellegrini, Class of 2028

Cadet Spotlight

The Vanguard — Bailey Pellegrini ’28

Cadet Camden Gonzales, Class of 2028

Behind The Balance

Behind the Balance: Camden Gonzales ’28 — Keydet Men’s Cross Country

View All Cadet Spotlight Stories »

Research & Innovation

Sofia Fleming '28 researching her SURI project.

SURI

SURI Q&A: Sofia Fleming ’28

Cadet Tammy Jimenez Poster Presentation

Research & Innovation

VMI Cadets Travel to Spartanburg, South Carolina to Present Their Research

Braden Bell ’28, Joel Thomas ’19, Col. Rob McDonald, Josiah Farrell ’28, and Sophia Heinlein ’28, celebrate after presenting at the annual conference of the American Culture Association in the South in New Orleans.

Honors

Institute Honors Cadets Present Creative Works about Southern Literature

The International E-Learning Association (IELA) has granted Virginia Military Institute first place with gold ribbon in the academic division of the Learning Delivery Platform category of the 2026 International E-Learning Awards.

Research & Innovation

VMI Receives Top Award from International Association

A series of essays on the philosophy of William Desmond titled, “The Intimate Strangeness of Poetry: William Desmond and Literature.”

Faculty

Knepper Edits Volume on Desmond

Dr. Samantha Baskind, distinguished professor of art history at Cleveland State University

Arts and Culture

Moses Ezekiel Art Expert to Speak at VMI

Military Mission

Marine Corps and Army cadets march into Cameron Hall for VMI Joint Commissioning.

Institute News

VMI Commissions Military Officers, Holds Parade in Memory of Fallen Alumni

Cadets and VMI faculty leaders stand and talk at the Normandy American Cemetery, with the distinct white cross markers in the background.

Institute News

Cadets Honor Fallen Alumni at Normandy

Cadets pose for a photo in front of the Louvre.

Adams Center

Commissioning Cadets Explore la France

Maximus Ankrah smiles with his arms crossed and his VMI ring on full display.

Cadet Spotlight

I Am VMI: Maximus Ankrah ’26

Post Announcements

Geller Named Director of Public Information and Marketing

Holiday Events

Smith to Head Finance, Admin, and Support

VMI Classic “Brother Rat” to be Staged

VMI Receives duPont Grant

Cadets Televised During Freedom 250 Grand Prix

VMI Theatre to Hold Auditions for ‘Brother Rat’

VMI Recognized on Money’s Best Colleges in America 2026

Members of the VMI Rifle teams take aim.

Athletic News

Mixed and Women’s Rifle defeats The Citadel

VMI banners hand above Goodall Pool.

Athletic News

VMI Swim and Dive Earns Three NEC Weekly Honors

VMI basketball plays a game in Cameron Hall as the Corps of Cadets watches on.

Athletic News

Johnson, Bradley named to Preseason All-SoCon Team

VMI basketball court with players and fans in attendance.

Athletic News

VMI Basketball Season Tickets now on sale

Alumni in Focus

James “Ding” Patton ’49B looks through the 1949 Bomb at his home in Staunton, Virginia, in September 2026.

Alumni In Focus

Ding Patton ’49B: “VMI Is So Unusual” (opens in a new tab)

Keith Sykes ’89 speaks with cadets attending the Cadet–Alumni Career Networking Forum Sept. 26, 2026.

Alumni In Focus

“The Alumni Network is Huge:” Cadet–Alumni Career Networking Forum Forges Career Connections (opens in a new tab)

Ariana Ruffin ’21, now a medical student at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, was the 2021 Southern Conference indoor 400-meter champion as a cadet-athlete.—Photo courtesy Ruffin.

Alumni In Focus

Ruffin ’21: Star Cadet-Athlete Finds Stride in Medicine (opens in a new tab)

Dean Kershaw ’68 and his jumpmaster during their descent.—Photo courtesy Skydive Orange.

Alumni In Focus

“We Don’t Age Ordinary” (opens in a new tab)

As a former Keydet and current head coach, Sam Roberts ’11 is helping shape the next generation of VMI baseball players.—Photo courtesy VMI Athletics.

Alumni In Focus

Roberts ’11: Q&A With VMI Baseball’s Head Coach (opens in a new tab)

Richard “Dick” Goodall ’66 tours the VMI Aquatic Center in April 2026.—VMI Alumni Agencies Photo.

Alumni In Focus

“Learn to Give Now”- Goodall ’66 Urges Support for Cadets (opens in a new tab)

VMI in the News

Veteran's meteorites on display at VMI WSLS

VMI cadets honor those lost on 9/11, including two alumni, with memorial stair climb WSET

Cadet overcomes deafness to excel at VMI WSLS

VMI cadets cite family, patriotism as reasons to enlist WDBJ

WWE Visits VMI as for "Next in Line" Program WSLS

Virginia Tech and VMI renew century-old football rivalry Saturday WDBJ