The Institute will host and participate in a variety of holiday-themed events in November and December, on post, at our museums, and in Lexington and Richmond. Come celebrate the season with VMI!

The custom of 2nd Class cadets receiving the class ring was established in 1907, and the addition of the Ring Figure dance started in 1927 with the Class of 1928. On Friday, Nov. 17, cadets received their individualized rings in Cameron Hall.

VMI held events to commemorate Founders Day - a snowy day, Nov. 11, 1839, when the first cadets arrived to relieve the guard at what had been a state arsenal. Since then, VMI has remained committed to educating and developing honorable leaders of tomorrow through its unique system.

Young women recruited to fill mapmaking roles for the AMS came from 22 colleges and universities where Parker’s cartography class was offered. Dubbed the Military Mapping Maidens, or 3M Girls, the mapmakers were housed first in temporary barracks-style housing in Arlington, Virginia.

The 14th annual Leadership and Ethics Conference at Virginia Military Institute was held Oct. 30-31 in Marshall Hall. This year’s theme was “Leading During Crisis: Culture, Conflict, Collaboration,” and attracted students from across the country.

Table manners, place settings, elevator pitches, and more were discussed during a dining and conversation etiquette event held in Moody Hall. Cadets had a four-course dinner and the opportunity to network with alumni and prominent members of the community.

Retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Chris Burns, VMI's 2023-24 Leader-in-Residence, said true leadership is defined when it's raining, when it's hard. Sitting in on a few classes recently, Burns led cadets in discussions on effective leadership in both the military and private sector.

VMI hosted Family Weekend Oct. 20-22 with a variety of events and activities. Friday’s activities included the Parents Council fall meeting in Marshall Hall. In addition, parents were able to attend Friday classes with their cadets, and meet with faculty members and advisors.

The George C. Marshall Foundation will host Dr. David Robarge, Chief Historian of the Central Intelligence Agency, for a lecture about Marshall’s role in the development of the intelligence community at their building in Lexington, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.

Cache Douma ’24 worked for Wells Fargo in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Charles P. Lewis III ’24 worked for Amazon in Chesapeake, Virginia.