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Fall FTX - VMI cadets will participate in fall field training exercises (Fall FTX) Friday, Oct. 10 through Sunday, Oct. 12. Trainings will occur on post and McKethan Park, with brief congestion and night marches on the Chessie Nature Trail. Weapons training may be heard. Emergency vehicles will be on post for training purposes.
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DON'T DO ORDINARY.
The VMI experience is about more than earning a degree—it’s about joining a community that values honor, perseverance, and service.
Ranked the #4 public liberal arts college by U.S. News and World Report, Virginia Military Institute offers small class sizes, academically challenging undergraduate programs, Division I athletics, and the largest ROTC program in the nation.
Ranked the #4 public liberal arts college by U.S. News and World Report, Virginia Military Institute offers small class sizes, academically challenging undergraduate programs, Division I athletics, and the largest ROTC program in the nation.
VMI Community Updates
Institute leadership continues to communicate important information for cadets, their families, faculty & staff, and the VMI community at large:
- Save the Date! Family Weekend 2025 is Oct. 17-19. This event invites cadets’ families to reconnect through a weekend of interactive and community-building events on post and in Lexington.
- Get to know VMI: Admissions Open Houses are the best way for high school juniors and seniors to see and experience first-hand what it's like being a cadet at the Institute. This 2-day program is designed to be informational for both students and their parent(s)/guardian(s). Learn more and secure a spot today for the two remaining fall opportunities: Oct. 24-25, and Nov. 14-15.
- Scholarship Opportunity: Are you applying to VMI as a recipient of a three or four-year ROTC national scholarship? If so, explore how the Institute can help ease the cost of your education at No Ordinary College through the Call to Duty Scholarship, now accepting applications.
- Keydets Compete to Win: Follow @VMIAthletics on social media and visit vmikeydets.com to keep up with athletic news and upcoming event schedules. Be sure to swing by the bookstore to get the latest fan gear first!
ⓘ VMI Community: To receive important information concerning emergencies, weather, traffic, and parking, text the word "Keydet" to 772-95.
“I think coming to VMI will change your life more than you expect it to.”
Sadie Smith ’26 was looking for a college that could prepare her for a successful career and life. At VMI, she found a place like no other. Although she believes that everyone has the potential to be a leader, she credits VMI for giving her the confidence and support to grow as one.
Learn more about Sadie — an international studies major, NCAA Division 1 water polo player, and Hotel Company commander — and other cadets who chose No Ordinary College at www.vmi.edu/iamvmi.
News from Post
Furness Starts Tenure with High Energy
Lt. Gen. David Furness ’87 returned to Virginia Military Institute this fall as its 16th superintendent, diving into a busy first week of meetings, ceremonies, and cadet interactions while sharing a message of perseverance, integrity, and faith in the VMI journey.
Debate on Constitutional Crisis Draws Crowd to VMI
Is the United States experiencing a constitutional crisis? That was the resolution debated at Virginia Military Institute Sept. 30. The debate was part of the fall Steamboat Institute Campus Liberty Tour, and was co-hosted by VMI’s Center for Leadership and Ethics.
VMI Biology Research Gets Published: Soybean Traits Studied
A scholarly article addressing soybean research spanning seven years was published in the September 2025 issue of Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment, a joint publication of American Society of Agronomy and Crop Science Society of America.
VMI Maintains Strong Rankings in U.S. News Best Colleges List
VMI maintained its reputation as one of the nation’s best colleges, according to the 2026 Best Colleges rankings released Sept. 23 by U.S. News and World Report.