Post Briefs VMI overlay on fall foliage on post

Post Briefs, November 2021

Members of VMI's distinguished faculty have been hard at work not only on post, but also in the larger realm of academia, publishing essays, poetry, and cartoons.

An image of trees arching over the Chessie Nature Trail.

VMI Planners Focus on the Chessie

Since the VMI Foundation gifted the Chessie Nature Trail to the Institute in 2010, VMI has worked with the community to ensure the trail is maintained and enhanced as an outdoor resource for cadets and members of the community.

Professor Greg Hartman in front of blackboard lecturing.

Graphics Go Interactive in VMI Calculus e-Textbook

College students need textbooks. But it’s no secret that the cost has been a thorn in the side of students for years. Col. Greg Hartman is among pioneering professors nationally developing e-textbooks, his for calculus. With the price of the book starting at free, cost is no longer a problem.

A closeup of an eastern small-footed bat being studied and tracked by researchers

'Part of Our Natural Heritage'

Lt. Col. Paul Moosman Jr. ’98, associate professor of biology, is attempting to learn more about the eastern small-footed bat to help determine if the species qualifies for endangered status.

Col. Jim Hentz in his office

Connecting the Dots

Op-Ed: Col. James Hentz, Ph.D., argues that Boko Haram is engaged in a regional, not a global, conflict. When policy makers misrepresent the group as part of a global jihad, they may intensify the conflict – unintentionally or otherwise.

Maj. Dan Harrison ’05 and Jake Hyde ’17 set up a specially designed, air-free, electrochemical cell containing one of Hyde’s iron compounds. – VMI Photo by Kelly Nye.

Fueling a Carbon-Neutral Society

Maj. Dan Harrison '05, who’s been teaching at VMI since 2013, focuses his research around developing catalysts that can reduce carbon dioxide into a more reactive carbon species and then into a usable fuel that could someday replace fossil fuels.

Brigadier General Jeff Smith stands in front of the cadets in his history of information technology class.

An Ethical Framework Throughout Technological Advances

Brig. Gen. Jeff Smith '79 focuses on ethics in information technology—and preparing cadets for a world that's yet to be born.

Cadets examine soybeans in the lab.

Building a Better Soy Plant

Lt. Col. Anne Alerding, associate professor of biology, is working with a team of cadets in her lab and in soybean fields across the state to find a way to increase the plants’ production.

Stephanie Hodde writes on the white board.

Three Generations Look Back at Their Formative Years

The English, rhetoric, and humanistic studies 411 fieldwork class, taught by Maj. Stephanie Hodde, is taking a more creative approach to service learning by hosting the Rockbridge Community Memoir Project.

Study Abroad Enriches Cadet Experience

When most people think of VMI, the iconic image of the barracks comes to mind, or perhaps the Corps of Cadets marching in a parade. But what about cadets in civilian dress in Budapest, Bangkok, or Botswana?

A group photo of Brig. Gen. Bob Moreschi and his family.

Promotions, Installation Mark Beginning of Academic Year

Key Institute leaders took up new responsibilities during ceremonies held during the general faculty meeting kicking off new academic year.

Col. Howard Sanborn, professor of international studies, talks with a cadet during the study abroad fair Sept. 20.—VMI Photo by Kelly Nye.

Faculty Develop Interdisciplinary Study Abroad Opportunity

Three professors are collaborating to create a new study abroad trip that will lead cadets through Slovenia, Germany, and Belgium.

Col. James Squire and Clay Penney '19 look on as their rocket prototype takes off.

Rockets, Research, and Rovers

Clay Penney '19 and Col. Jim Squire are launching into a Mars rover competition, building and testing prototypes for Penney's honors thesis.

Mary Beth Manjerovic and Janice Friend discuss possible changes to the biology curriculum.

Biology Sends Cadets out of the Classroom

Maj. Mary Beth Manjerovic, assistant professor of biology, gave the cadets in her conservation biology class a new challenge: independent projects dealing with resource conservation.

Col. Craig Streeter pauses at his office studio.

Combat Artist Depicts Battlefield Experience

Naval ROTC commander Col. Craig Streeter '91 is one of a handful of USMC combat artists creating images that show the reality of the battlefield.

Driving and Parking on Post - Dec. 4 - Dec. 18

Construction continues to impact traffic on post as work associated with the Post infrastructure Improvement project continues.

Members of VMI Board of Visitors converse in Preston Library's Turman Room May 5.

VMI Board of Visitors Sets Tuition and Fees

Tuition will not increase for in-state or out-of-state cadets for the next academic year, the Board of Visitors decided at a May 4 meeting.

Dr. Timothy Passmore stands in front of a class of cadets.

The Value of Civic Knowledge During a Campaign of Disinformation

Dr. Timothy Passmore, assistant professor of international studies, strives to teach cadets how to look past fake news and become educated, informed citizens.

Maj. Jonathan Jones, assistant professor of history receiving award.

Assistant Professor of History Receives Award for Dissertation

Maj. Jonathan Jones, assistant professor of history, recently received two awards for his dissertation, "Opium Slavery: Veterans and Addiction in the American Civil War Era.”

Page of Manuscript of “ Myrrour of the blessed lyf of Jesu Christ” circa 1475

Cadets get opportunity for learning hands-on about early technologies and techniques for making paper

MAJ Kimberly Anderson, Visiting Assistant Professor in ERHS, will bring together groups of cadets, faculty, and staff to make their own handmade paper using the techniques of medieval scribes and Renaissance paper-makers.

Post Briefs VMI overlay on fall foliage on post

Post Briefs, March 2023

Members of VMI's distinguished faculty have been hard at work not only on post, but also in the larger realm of academia, winning awards and leading cadets attending new conferences.

Post Briefs VMI overlay on fall foliage on post

Post Briefs, February 2023

Members of VMI's faculty have been hard at work not only on post, but also in providing off-post event support and leadership to cadets, as well as being featured on podcasts.

Post Briefs VMI overlay on fall foliage on post

Post Briefs, November 2022

VMI faculty members continue to be recognized and win awards for their excellence in teaching, research, and public service.

Arndt Travels to South Africa to Discuss Book

Arndt Travels to South Africa to Discuss Book

Lt. Col. Jochen S. Arndt’s book, published both in South Africa and the United States, explains how Zulu and Xhosa emerged as written languages and markers of Zulu and Xhosa identities.

Lt. Col. Brown on With Good Reason April 8 - 14

Brown Part of With Good Reason Segment

Lt. Col. Julie Phillips Brown, associate professor in the at Virginia Military Institute, will discuss themes of biology, mythology, and motherhood in her poetry on the public radio program, With Good Reason, April 8 - 14.

With Good Reason segment with Col. Barry Cobb and Col. Jeff Smith April 29 - May 5

Cobb and Smith Part of With Good Reason Segment

Col. Barry Cobb and Col. Jeff Smith, professors in the Department of Economics and Business at Virginia Military Institute, will discuss ways to pay for retirement and the best age to start drawing Social Security on the public radio program, With Good Reason, April 29 – May 5.

Economics Professor on WalletHub Website

Col. Jeffrey S. Smith, professor and head of the Department of Economics and Business at Virginia Military Institute, is featured on the personal finance website, WalletHub.

Dr. Duncan Richter

EHRS Professor to Publish Anscombe Essays

Dr. Duncan Richter, Professor of Philosophy in the Department of English, Rhetoric, and Humanistic Studies and Charles S. Luck III ’55 Institute Professor, recently finished essays about Elizabeth Anscombe which will be published in two books.

Col. Jeffrey S. Smith sailing

Smith Sails the Seas

Col. Jeffrey S. Smith, professor and head of the Department of Economics and Business at Virginia Military Institute clearly understands wind direction and sail adjustment thanks to his experiences in sailing and participating in sailing yacht races.

Maj. Molly Kent assists cadet with research

VMI Biology Professor on With Good Reason

Maj. Molly Kent, assistant professor of biology at Virginia Military Institute, will be featured on the public radio program, With Good Reason starting Saturday, Aug. 5 through Friday, Aug. 11.

VMI English Professor to be Featured on With Good Reason

Lt. Col. Stephanie Hodde, professor in the Department of English, Rhetoric, and Humanistic Studies at Virginia Military Institute, will be featured on the public radio program, With Good Reason starting Saturday, Aug. 26 through Friday, Sept. 1. 

VMI: Forging 21st Century Leaders