The Institute welcomes Capt. Eli B. Facemire ’19 as the new associate chaplain. During his cadetship, Facemire majored in psychology; held rank his 3rd and 2nd Class years; served on the general committee as class president; sang with the Men in Grey; was a cadre corporal; and was a cadet chaplain.

Nicholas Schaefer ’23, who graduated in May from the Virginia Military Institute with a degree in international studies, recently presented a paper remotely to the 25th International Conference on Artificial Intelligence (ICAI) in Las Vegas, Nevada.   

Tom Watjen, President of the VMI Board of Visitors, addresses questions and allegations have been raised surrounding The Cadet newspaper.

Futurist, tech expert, and former managing editor of WIRED magazine, Peter Leyden, will be the keynote speaker at the academic convocation at Virginia Military Institute on Wednesday, Sept. 6, at 11 a.m. in Cameron Hall.

Col. Atin Basuchoudhary will be featured on the public radio program With Good Reason Aug. 19-25. On the episode, entitled “The Many Indias,” Basuchoudhary discusses the third largest religion in the world – Hinduism – and its staying power while other religions have died off.

Matriculation Day was held at Virginia Military Institute Saturday, Aug. 19, beginning the Rat Line for the new academic year. This year marks the 184th year of the Institute.

The Department of Modern Languages and Cultures and the Dean’s Academic Speakers Fund at VMI present five French films as part of the 2023-24 Albertine Cinémathèque film series, which expands access to French cinema and supports film programming at American colleges and universities.

VMI will hold a discussion in acknowledgment of the 20th anniversary of the second Iraq War on Monday, Sept. 18 at 7:45 p.m. in Gillis Theater in Marshall Hall. In particular, the conversation will focus on two constitutional issues that often arise during wars: executive power and civil liberties.

The Superintendent regrets to inform the VMI community of the death of Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Charles Dominy, a member of the VMI Board of Visitors, Sept. 1 at the age of 83.

A group of high school students and Virginia Military Institute cadets had the opportunity to learn Arabic over the summer, thanks to a $141 thousand grant called funded by the National Security Agency (NSA) to the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures at VMI.

The George C. Marshall Foundation hosted a week-long professional development seminar recently for secondary school teachers from across Virginia.

Today marked the opening of VMI's 184th academic year as cadets and faculty attended the Academic Convocation in Cameron Hall. Peter Leyden, futurist and tech expert, gave a forward-looking talk titled, "The Transformation of Our World to 2050."

Virginia Military Institute’s Omicron Kappa Chapter of Sigma Delta Pi, the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society, has been named an honor chapter for its outstanding activities in academic year.

The George C. Marshall Foundation will host a lecture by U.S. Army strategist, Tom Arnold, on a public relations scandal of World War II on Thursday, Sept. 21, at 5:30 p.m., at their building located on VMI Parade Avenue on Virginia Military Institute post.

The Virginia Military Institute Corps of Cadets honored those who perished in the 9/11 terrorist attacks by climbing 110 stories in barracks, replicating the number of stairs first responders at the World Trade Center climbed during the rescue attempt, and in memory of those who lost their lives.

A model NATO simulation was held at Virginia Military Institute recently, where 32 cadets spent the day representing the various NATO member countries and solving a problem through negotiations.

Retired Army National Guard Col. Paul Kastner has joined Virginia Military Institute as the new Director of Emergency Management. Kastner has nearly 40 years of experience working in both the military and private sector, most recently served as the chief of emergency response at the Pentagon.

The Virginia Military Institute Board of Visitors began the 2023-24 academic year with a series of meetings providing updates in a number of areas key to the future of the Institute.

Dr. Anne E. Proctor, associate dean for the School of Humanities, Arts, and Education at Roger Williams University (RWU) in Bristol, Rhode Island, will present “Dearly Beloved? Michelangelo’s Funeral and the First Arts Academy in Europe,” at VMI Thurs., Sept. 28 at 7:45 p.m.

VMI retained its high placing among the nation’s best colleges, according to the 2024 Best Colleges Rankings released Sept. 18 by U.S. News and World Report.

Festivities include cider pressing, period music and dancing, storytelling, games, and crafts for children of all ages. All demonstrations and activities are free.  

The Superintendent regrets to inform the VMI community of the death of Brig. Gen. Robert “Bob” L. Green ’67 on Sept. 10 at the age of 78 in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Learn more about how Army Chief of Staff George Marshall revitalized the Army’s tradition of unit-based newspapers with the distribution of field kits of printing gear, on which the mostly novice journalists cranked out their news sheets.

Alyssa Astphan was recently promoted from deputy inspector general and Title IX coordinator to inspector general (IG) and Title IX coordinator at Virginia Military Institute.  

Benjamin Anthony will share his experiences that tie to the annual leadership theme for academic year 2023-24, “Adapting to Complex Situations.”

Col. Ryan R. Holston, professor of political theory in the Department of International Studies and Political Science, was recently featured on the “Hermitix” podcast and “The Sower,” a podcast of The Ciceronian Society, in which he discusses his recently published book.

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

In celebration of Family Weekend at Virginia Military Institute, the VMI Theatre will present a collection of stories and songs of the old west called, “Best of the West” on Friday, Oct. 20, Saturday, Oct. 21 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 22 at 2 p.m. in Gillis Theater.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Cadets taking this new course study risk factors that youth can face, and how those risks manifest in the physical body, particularly the brain. Cadets also learn to identify conditions that safeguard against risk, and examine programs and policies that focus on positive youth development.

At VMI, the debates are organized through a partnership with the CLE and the Building BRIDGES club. Four cadets who went through an application process and subsequent training to become student debate fellows in the program, are joined by three faculty fellows in planning the debates.

Cadets in Lt. Col. Kevin Braun’s general chemistry lab took their research to an unlikely place — the VMI Museum on post. The archeology-themed activity called for the cadets to choose unidentified displayed artifacts, and use their prior knowledge of metals to speculate their origin.

The shortest day of the year was a great day of celebration, joy, and pride at Virginia Military Institute, as families and friends gathered in Memorial Hall surrounded by holiday greenery, to witness 35 cadets cross the stage to receive their diplomas during the commencement ceremony Dec. 21.

Cadets and community members may audition any of the four evenings. There are a variety of adult male and female roles to fill for actors.

Three French films will be shown as part of the 2024 Spring Albertine Cinémathèque film series. The film series aims to expands access to French cinema and supports film programming at American colleges and universities.

Two of VMI's own were recognized as members of the All-Southern Conference Faculty and Staff Team for the 2023-24 academic year. The All-Southern Conference Faculty and Staff Team recognizes those who have demonstrated service to their schools and made contributions to campus life and community.

Lt. Col. Mary “Polly” Stewart Atwell, associate professor, and Maj. Henry A. Wise III ’05, assistant professor, both in the Department of English, Rhetoric, and Humanistic Studies at Virginia Military Institute, have secured book deals.

Virginia Military Institute welcomes guest speaker Marc Polymeropoulos, former CIA agent, on Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 7:45 p.m. in Gillis Theater in Marshall Hall.

When Doug Crabb started working in the Department of Facilities Management at Virginia Military Institute last June, he not only started a new career path, but he also began a renovation into becoming a new man.

The U.S. Secret Service made its way to post in multiple black SUVs and an armored bus over the weekend. The visit included a tour of barracks, sharing a meal with cadets in Crozet, and talking with them about career opportunities.

Swedish Armed Forces Chief of Defense Staff, Lt. Gen. Michael Claesson, along with several of his staff members, visited Virginia Military Institute recently, during his brief visit to the United States.

This past weekend, Maj. Gen. Wins '85 informed the Board of Visitors of changes among the senior leadership team. Jim Miller, VMI’s athletic director, and Col. Adrian Bogart, the Institute’s commandant, will both step down effective June 30, 2024.

Dakota Birdsong ’24, a modern languages and cultures major, has taken his skills with bagpipes from VMI Spirit Night, to Lexington events, and even to Troy, Ohio, where he is the piper for the American Legion. This March, he will look to add to his collection of medals for his musical skills..

The event, organized and co-hosted by the VMI Center for Leadership & Ethics (CLE), is expected to attract nearly 500 participants from state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, higher education, and private industry.

Marc Polymeropoulos spoke in Gillis Theater to a crowd of cadets, faculty and staff, and community members, about the nine leadership principles addressed in his book, “Clarity in Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the CIA.”

Guest speaker Robert Child, Emmy nominated writer and director, and author of the book, “Immortal Valor: The Black Medal of Honor Winners of World War II,” will speak at VMI Monday, Feb. 19, at 7:45 p.m. in Gillis Theater in Marshall Hall.

The Superintendent regrets to inform the VMI community of the death of Capt. Jack Casey ’19 on Feb. 7. Casey was one of five Marines involved in a helicopter crash in California during a training flight.

Virginia Military Institute will host the 46th Military School Band & Choir Festival, Feb. 16 -18. The festival will feature a concert band and a festival choir composed of military high school and college cadets, and a clinic for military high school and college drum majors.

The Institute has launched a two-year pilot program called the Summer Undergraduate Entrepreneurship Program (SUEP) as a starting point for entrepreneurship education. It has been established for cadets who possess the mindset of an entrepreneur, regardless of academic major.

Col. Dan Barr ’74 became interested in powerlifting last summer, after watching a young relative compete as a collegiate athlete. “I started probing around and looked at the state records for the bench-press, and I thought, my golly I do that in my workout for repetitions. Maybe I should compete..."

Through a series of short biographical videos and his own words, author Robert Child shared an abbreviated version of the gallant stories of seven African American WWII soldiers chronicled in “Immortal Valor.”

The Department of Facilities Management at Virginia Military Institute is tasked with keeping all the roads on post clear of snow and ice and safe for driving. One grounds supervisor at VMI had a creative idea to save money and keep roads safe.

The invitation-only event is for colleges that are National Security Agency (NSA) / Department of Homeland Security (DHS)-designated National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense. It was organized by the Center for Leadership and Ethics as part of its strategic engagement initiatives.

The play, written by Russian American author Ayn Rand, is a courtroom drama centered on the trial of a secretary accused of murdering her employer, who defrauded his company of millions of dollars to invest in the gold trade.

Virginia Military Institute welcomes James A. McLaughlin, acclaimed author of “Bearskin” and “Panther Gap,” for a reading of his work, Tuesday, March 19 at 7:45 p.m. in Gillis Theater. The event is free and open to the public.

Brad Snyder, U.S. Navy veteran and Paralympic gold medalist in swimming, will discuss leadership insights from his book, which details his life as an athlete, warrior, and wounded veteran.

The annual conference provides a forum for the nation’s minority STEM-educated students to learn, interact, and build professional networks with corporate, government, military, and industry leaders.

Last night offered a rousing evening of celebration and emotion in Memorial Hall as the names of Corps leadership for the 2024-25 academic year were shared in VMI's rank announcement ceremony.

Virginia Military Institute police officer Zachary Higgins, who plays shortstop for his recreational softball team, was recently named Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the World Softball Tournament in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Retired U.S. Navy Lt. Brad Snyder, gold medal winning swimmer from the 2012 Paralympic Games, recently shared his journey from the battlefield in Afghanistan to the winner’s podium as the final speaker of the Courageous Leadership Speaker Series, presented by VMI's Center for Leadership and Ethics.

Gabriella Handford ’24, a biology major, recently presented her honors research thesis focused on her work and study of the effect of psychedelic drug therapy on male betta splendens as compared to traditional pharmaceuticals.

Freedom of the press in the United States is legally protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution. Media freedom is protected in most sovereign nations around the world, but is there a security price to pay for the liberties media enjoy?

Earlier this month, a rank announcement ceremony was held on post, introducing the leaders of Institute's 185th Regiment. Get to know the cadets who have been selected to lead the Corps during the 2024-2025 academic year.

The VMI Museum has opened a new exhibit on the life and career of Gen. George C. Marshall, VMI Class of 1901, following renovations to the Kohen Gallery of the Citizen-Soldier. 

Noland Griffith ’24, a Virginia Military Institute cadet majoring in economics and business, presented his honors thesis, “An Exploratory Analysis of Crime From Randomly Selected Neighborhoods in Richmond.” He said there are different aspects of crime that affect life in Richmond neighborhoods.

What does the Bible say about what we should eat? That is the question Josh Cheung ’24, a Virginia Military Institute cadet double majoring in English and biology, sought to answer in his honors thesis, “Is God a Vegetarian?”

Abigail Basener '24 addressed plagiarizing and cheating concerns when it comes to the use of Artificial Intelligence during her thesis presentation, “Detecting AI-Generated Writing vs. Student Writing,” for VMI's Honor's Week.

According to Dylan Palmer '24, the nature of unmanned systems inherently reduces the risk to operators conducting missions during wartime. He presented his honors thesis, “Drone Countermeasures, Ethics, and Drones’ Effects on a Modern Battlefield" during VMI's Honors Week.

Virginia Military Institute is partnering with the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) in Richmond, to bring its state-of-the-art Artmobile, “VMFA on the Road” to post April 25 to April 27.

Virginia Military Institute has announced the speakers who will address the Class of 2024 in May.

For this year’s event, May 14 at 7 p.m. in Memorial Hall, VMI is honored to welcome Chaplain (Major General) William Green, Jr., U.S. Army Chief of Chaplains and director of the Institute for Religious Leadership.

The 34th annual Environment Virginia Symposium at VMI was held April 9-11. The event, organized and co-hosted by the Center for Leadership & Ethics (CLE), attracted 550 attendees from state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, higher education, and the private sector.

In an evening event held in Memorial Hall April 9, VMI announced 2nd Class ranks for the 2024-25 academic year.

Eight 1st Class commissioning cadets at Virginia Military Institute, along with their faculty leadership team toured the Socialist Republic of Vietnam during spring furlough as part of the Olmsted Foundation’s Undergraduate Program.

The competition consisted of 60 shots fired in three different shooting disciplines: air pistol, sport pistol, and standard pistol. VMI came in 10th place for air pistol, 8th place for sport pistol, and 10th place for standard pistol. The team finished the competition in 10th place.

The late G. Gilmer “Gil” Minor III ’63 is only the 17th recipient of the award since its introduction in 1962. His widow, Charlotte will be present, and his son, Gilmer Minor IV ’93, will accept the award on his behalf.

This year, four longstanding employees were honored at the parade and joined Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins ’85, superintendent, in taking review.

The Cyber Defense Laboratory (CyDef) at Virginia Military Institute, has developed a program with educational institutions to foster knowledge and interest in cutting-edge technology fields among high school and middle school students.

Virginia Military Institute honored former Virginia Sen. Thomas K. Norment Jr. ’68 with a parade on post April 26. The recognition was for 30 years of service to the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The combat shooting club team at Virginia Military Institute, coached by Paul Lahah, outperformed the competition at the 2024 ROTC College Clash Marksmanship Competition, April 19-21 at Fort Barfoot, Virginia.

The VMI Board of Visitors (BOV) approved tuition and fees for the 2024-25 academic year at their spring meeting last weekend. Tuition and fees will increase by 2.8% next year. The BOV wrapped up its three-day meeting by electing John Adams ’96 board president for the upcoming year.

Brig. Gen. Robert W. Moreschi honored seven exceptional cadets at VMI who are recipients of the prestigious Peay Merit Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to cadets who demonstrate exceptional leadership, academic excellence, athletic commitment, and an interest in national service.

For the past academic year, 12 VMI electrical and computer engineering majors have worked on their senior capstone projects with three external partners to develop a better way to document and assess hiking trails and share information about their navigability.

Each May, numerous awards recognizing the accomplishments of cadets, faculty, and staff across multiple fields and disciplines are presented at VMI's Institute Awards ceremony. These awards are provide by VMI, by civic groups, and by the Institute's ROTC units. 

It was an overcast day, but spirits were bright and hearts were full when more than 170 Virginia Military Institute cadets commissioned into the armed services in Cameron Hall, May 15 in the annual Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) joint commissioning ceremony.

The late G. Gilmer “Gil” Minor III ’63, was awarded posthumously, the New Market Medal, Virginia Military Institute’s highest honor, during the annual Memorial Parade on post May 15.

A clear and warm morning set the tone for the elation and celebration in Cameron Hall as Virginia Military Institute held its commencement ceremony and conferred degrees on the Class of 2024 May 16.

Col. Adrian T. Bogart III ’81, commandant of the Corps of Cadets, presided over the first awards ceremony of graduation week at VMI. In addition to recognizing cadets for outstanding achievement during the academic year, the Commandant’s Awards also recognize the accomplishments of companies.

The Virginia Military Institute Ethics Team recently placed second at the Military Ethics Case Competition held at the United States Naval Academy (USNA) Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership in Annapolis, Maryland.

Cadets and community members may audition for "The Foreigner" June 3-6 at 7:30 p.m. in Gillis Theater, Marshall Hall. Roles will be filled for five adult male and two adult female actors, plus minor roles. No experience needed. Performances will be July 26-28.

Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins '85, superintendent, named Jamaal Walton '07 as Virginia Military Institute's next director of intercollegiate athletics. A decorated graduate of the Institute, Walton will assume the role effective next month.

Classes have begun for the new Summer Undergraduate Entrepreneurship Program (SUEP) at Virginia Military Institute, for cadets who possess the mindset of an entrepreneur, regardless of academic major.

The Department of Biology at Virginia Military Institute hosted a joint meeting of the Helminthological Society of Washington and the Southeastern Society of Parasitologists in April. Over 100 biologists met in Marshall Hall.

The 7th annual Legacy Run of the Virginia American Legion Riders will make a stop at Virginia Military Institute on Saturday, June 14. The group, consisting of 50 to 100 motorcycles, will arrive on post at 8:45 a.m. and tour several buildings.

Maj. Timothy Passmore, assistant professor in the Department of International Studies and Political Science at Virginia Military Institute, discusses how nations use the Olympics to improve their reputation both domestically and abroad on the public radio program, “With Good Reason,” May 31-June

Dr. Sabrina Laroussi, associate professor of Spanish in the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures, discusses books about the world of Latin American drug trafficking called “narconovelas” on the public radio program, “With Good Reason."

The awards, presented by Col. John P. Casper '04, Institute chaplain, celebrated the cadets' exceptional leadership, organizational skills, and compassionate care.

Virginia Military Institute has been rated a 5-star college in Money magazine’s Best Colleges in America list for 2024, in the magazine’s tenth year of publishing a Best Colleges list.

Twenty-four motorcycles carrying 34 riders, roared up Letcher Avenue and onto the Virginia Military Institute post June 14, as part of the 7th annual Legacy Run of the Virginia American Legion Riders.

Jack Conley ’25, a history major is researching the hand-written letter, along with other ancient tablets, for his Summer Undergraduate Research Institute (SURI) project titled, “The Vindolanda Tablets: Understanding the Roman Frontier in Northern Britain.”

The chaplain’s office at Virginia Military Institute recently welcomed a new staff member in the form of a warm, furry, and faithful facility dog named CAVU. CAVU’s occupational specialty is to assist the Institute chaplain in bringing morale, welfare, and care to cadets.

For many departments at VMI, summer is a time to slow down and rejuvenate in preparation for another busy school year. However, the Department of Facilities Management, also known as Physical Plant or P2, does not slow down. In many ways, their work picks up.

Impactful, challenging, and exposure to atrocities are not ordinary descriptives for a trip to Europe for college students, but cadets at Virginia Military Institute don’t do ordinary. Recently, 18 commissioning cadets and two staff members traveled to Poland for seven days.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin has appointed Quintin Elliott ’85, Clifford Foster ’93, William R. Janis ’84, and reappointed Kate Comerford Todd to four-year terms on the VMI Board of Visitors.

Working alongside the VMI admissions and financial aid offices, Aidan Carman ’27, an applied mathematics major, sought to determine what factors ultimately decide the likelihood a cadet will graduate, the likelihood a cadet will graduate in a particular major, the retention rate of cadets, and more.

The Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) unit at Virginia Military Institute celebrated its 50th anniversary July 1 in Kilbourne Hall. The unit has commissioned 2,032 Navy ensigns and Marine second lieutenants — producing the largest class this past May with 59 officers.

The VMI Community Theatre presents, “The Foreigner,” Friday, July 26 and Saturday, July 27 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 28 at 2:00 p.m. in Gillis Theater.  

Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Lawrence Havird ’90 has been named commandant for Virginia Military Institute, assuming the position Aug. 5 following Col. Adrian T. Bogart III ’81, who retired June 30 after three years.

The College Orientation Workshop, Inc. (COW) program returned to Virginia Military Institute this summer, marking its 38th year of transforming the lives of promising, male, minority and at-risk high school students.

Virginia Military Institute cadets will march to the beat of a different director of music this fall, as percussionist, Lt. Col. Matthew Halligan, has been hired to replace Col. John Brodie, who recently retired after 36 years.

VMI recently shared their marketing strategies with other colleges at the SparkThink@JAM three-day conference in Dallas, Texas. In their presentation, the admission's team encouraged their audience to be authentic when representing their institution.