LEXINGTON, Va. April 7, 2025 — The Department of History (DOH) at Virginia Military Institute welcomed two federal judges of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Albert Diaz, J.D. and A. Marvin Quattlebaum Jr., J.D. visited several sections of the U.S. Constitutional History class (HI-300) March 17 and spoke with cadets regarding their work, the shape of the federal judiciary, the function of the Fourth Circuit, and their individual career paths.  

The visit culminated in a panel discussion in Moody Hall moderated by Maj. Bryant Etheridge, assistant professor in the DOH. According to Etheridge, the panel addressed a range of issues.

“The judges spoke on the importance of the rule of law, how courts and judges remain apolitical and respectful in a time of increased political division, and why and how judges’ responsibilities are very different from politics and the duties of politicians. Judge Diaz is a Marine and was a military lawyer and judge, while Judge Quattlebaum spent most of his career in private practice in South Carolina. They each shared how their backgrounds guide their current work. Finally, they talked about the role of ordinary citizens in restoring faith and trust in courts and the rule of law,” stated Etheridge.  

According to Lt. Col. Mark Boonshoft, associate professor in the DOH and holder of Conrad M. Hall ’65 Chair in American Constitutional History, each semester cadets enrolled HI-300 take a field trip to Richmond to watch oral arguments at the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. “This visit arose from conversations begun with the judges during one of those trips,” he said.  

The judges’ visit to VMI was sponsored by the Department of History and the American Constitutional History program, and underwritten by the Conrad M. Hall ’65 Chair in American Constitutional History fund. 

Marianne Hause
Communications & Marketing
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE