News

Virginia Military Institute welcomed Shaquem Griffin, retired NFL linebacker who played for the Seattle Seahawks, as he kicked off the Center for Leadership & Ethics (CLE) 2023 Courageous Leadership Speaker series Feb. 1 before a packed house in Gillis Theatre.

NFL Legend Shaquem Griffin Brings Message of Courage

Virginia Military Institute welcomed Shaquem Griffin, retired NFL linebacker who played for the Seattle Seahawks, as he kicked off the Center for Leadership & Ethics (CLE) 2023 Courageous Leadership Speaker series Feb. 1 before a packed house in Gillis Theatre. 

The members of the Rat Mass leave barracks early in the morning, each carrying school supplies that would be delivered to local elementary schools.—VMI Photo by Andrew Partridge ’24.

Rat Unity Event Helps Local Schools

The Rat Mass has been collecting school supplies since December for their annual Rat Unity event, which aims to help several schools in the area. This year, more than 730 school supplies were collected and donated to Lexington City Schools.

The 50-meter pool holds 800,000 gallons of water, and is large enough to be divided into three sections, making diving, water polo, and competitive swimming possible simultaneously. -VMI Photo by Kelly Nye.

VMI Aquatic Center Dedication

The ribbon cutting and dedication of Virginia Military Institute’s Corps Physical Training Facility Phase III, the Aquatic Center took place Jan. 27. Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins ’85, superintendent celebrated the event with local dignitaries and special guests.

Music Director’s Favorite Diversion

John Brodie, director of music at Virginia Military Institute, has been playing disc golf for five years, ever since his brother Chris got him involved. Although Brodie admits to being competitive in friendly games, he prefers not to compete in tournaments. He plays wherever and whenever he can.

VMI Inducts 2022 Hall of Fame Class

With the coronavirus pandemic interrupting the standard three-year cycle of inductions, the 2022 Hall of Fame class consisted of 10: seven members plus a veteran honoree and two special citation honorees as voted on by the committee.

Headshot of Atwell with VMI logo and photo of post

VMI English Professor Pens New Mystery with Help from Fellowship

Lt. Col. Mary “Polly” Stewart Atwell, associate professor in the Department of English, Rhetoric, and Humanistic Studies, received a highly competitive residency fellowship at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts where she devoted time working on her second and third novels.

Skiers, including Erik Gottman ’25, assist avalanche victims on mountain in snow. Helicopter in the background.

VMI Cadet Assists in Avalanche Rescue

When Erik Gottmann ’25, a cadet at Virginia Military Institute boarded a flight to Austria for a ski trip with his family over winter furlough, he had no way of knowing he and his brothers would be an essential part of a Christmas miracle.

Cadets at VMI meet with members of Braver Angels in Marshall Hall.

VMI Promotes Civil Discourse Through Debate Program

VMI has been designated as one of only ten colleges in the nation to be named a “Community of Practice” from Braver Angels, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting civil discourse, in their College Debates and Discourse Program, through a grant from the John Templeton Foundation.

Cadets saluting at flags with word TAPS

TAPS – Col. Patrick “Pat” Mayerchak

The Superintendent regrets to inform the VMI community of the death of Col. Patrick “Pat” Mayerchak, professor emeritus, who passed away on Dec. 28, 2022, at the age of 79.

Shaquem Griffin poses with dog.

VMI Welcomes NFL’s Shaquem Griffin

VMI welcomes guest speaker Shaquem Griffin on Feb. 1 at 7:45 p.m. in Gillis Theater, Marshall Hall. Griffin, who played in the NFL for the Seattle Seahawks as a linebacker, has only one hand. The event is free and open to the public as part of the CLE’s Courageous Leadership speaker series.

VMI: Forging 21st Century Leaders