LEXINGTON, Va., Apr. 25, 2025—Virginia Military Institute has announced the speakers who will address the Class of 2025 in May. Lt. Gen. Karl Gingrich, deputy chief of staff in the U.S. Army, will address cadets beginning their journey of military service at the joint commissioning ceremony, Thursday, May 15 at 2 p.m. in Cameron Hall, and retired Air Force Gen. Darren W. McDew ’82, former commander of the U.S. Transportation Command at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, will speak to the graduating cadets at commencement exercises Saturday, May 17 at 11 a.m.

Gingrich commissioned from Temple University in 1989 as an armor officer with a degree in civil and construction engineering technology. His first assignment was in the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Fulda, Germany, where he served as platoon leader and company executive officer. He was later assigned to Fort Stewart, Georgia, where he served as assistant operations officer in the 24th infantry division and a company commander in the 3d infantry division. He then completed a year as an instructor at the Armor Officer Advanced Course at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

After leading tactical formations, he embarked on a career in operations research, supporting and leading the Army’s force and program development. He served in Operations Research/Systems Analysis (ORSA) positions in the Directorate of Force Development, the Joint Staff, the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission, and Program Analysis & Evaluation (PA&E) Directorate.

His operational experience includes chief, Force Generation, and Plans and Posture in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and deputy director, Chief of Assessments during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).

Gingrich returned from OEF and completed one year as a fellow with the Brookings Institution, a research foundation based in Washington, D.C. He was then assigned as the chief, Resource Analysis and Integration Division, followed by a third tour in PA&E Directorate as the chief of the Program Development Division. His general officer assignments included director of resource management, Installation Management Command; assistant program executive officer for Operations, Readiness, and Fielding in the Program Executive Office; command, control and communication at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland; and director of capability and resource integration for the U.S. Cyber Command at Fort Meade, Maryland. Most recently Gingrich served as director of program analysis and evaluation, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, where he was also the executive agent for the ORSA functional area. Gingrich holds a master’s degree in industrial engineering from the University of Louisville, as well as advanced degrees from the Air University and the National Defense University.

McDew, who is a VMI alumnus, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. He rose from cadet leadership—serving on the Honor Court and as regimental commander—to the highest levels of command in the military. Over a 36-year career, he commanded at every echelon—from flight commander to combatant commander—leading forces both in garrison and deployed across the globe. His service culminated as the 12th commander of U.S. Transportation Command, where he was responsible for coordinating all global air, land, and sea transportation for the Department of Defense.

His journey was always about making a difference, setting a standard, and serving with integrity.

“My time at VMI shaped who I am—how I lead, how I decide, and how I serve. It wasn’t easy, but it prepared me for a life of purpose,” McDew said.

With more than 3,300 flight hours and decades of operational leadership, McDew’s career also included national-level roles advising senior defense leaders, serving as an aide to the President, leading military public affairs, and representing the Air Force before Congress. As director of strategy and policy for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he helped guide decisions at the highest levels of national security. He holds a master’s degree in aviation management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Now retired from active duty, McDew continues to champion ethical leadership, integrity, and opportunity through his service on the boards of Abbott, USAA, GE Aerospace, Parsons Corporation, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and the Manns-Horne Youth Foundation.

Marianne Hause
Communications & Marketing
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE