Institute Society Dinner Attended by More than 500

Some of the younger alumni who attended the Institute Society Dinner were (left to right) Racheal Toman ’10, Nohelia Martin’08, and Bree Adams ’04. Joining them was Cadet Sarah Hunziker ’13 (far left). Credit: Sarah Brown

On the evening of November 11, more than 500 guests attended the VMI Foundation’s annual black-tie event, The Institute Society Dinner, at which those alumni and friends who are leaders in supporting VMI’s academic and co-curricular programs through the Foundation Fund receive well-deserved recognition. Last fiscal year, The Institute Society’s gave more than 67% of the $2.55 million received by the Foundation Fund. 

At this event, the VMI Foundation also recognized the two classes that marked “milestone” 50th and 25th Reunions last year: the Class of 1961 and the Class of 1985, which raised more than $8.6 million and more than $2 million during their respective Reunion Campaigns.  

This year’s keynote speaker was Lieutenant General Carl A. Strock, U.S. Army (Retired), Class of 1970, who served as the Chief of Engineers and the Commanding General of the Corps of Engineers from 2004 to 2007. 

The guests also heard from the VMI Foundation’s president, Walton M. Jeffress, Jr. ’68; General Peay, who recognized the positive effects the guests’ generosity was having on Post, and the Class of 2012’s president, Joseph I. Munno, who thanked them for providing a superb example of leadership in support of VMI. 

The VMI Glee Club provided entertainment after dinner, and the evening ended with a rousing rendition of “The Spirit” and “The VMI Doxology”. 

 “Again, The Institute Society Dinner was a magnificent affair,” said Brian Scott Crockett, the VMI Foundation’s CEO, “giving us another opportunity for these loyal and generous alumni and friends to learn how valuable and how valued their support of VMI is among those on Post.”