VMI Observes its 187th Anniversary
Virginia Military Institute was established Nov. 11, 1839, when 23 young Virginians were marshalled into the service of the state and the first cadet sentry — John B. Strange of Scottsville — took his post in falling snow. One hundred and eighty-seven years to the day later, VMI, the oldest state-supported military college in the country, altered the customary Wednesday schedule to accommodate celebrations of its founding.
Events on the cool, sunny morning began with the inaugural two-mile VMI Founders Day Motivational Run as 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Class cadets stepped off the bricks, ran around the Parade Ground, down Letcher Avenue, and through the City of Lexington. Community members cheered encouragement as over 600 cadets ran up Jefferson Street; past shops, restaurants, and the Farmer’s Market; turned on Nelson Street; then down Main Street and returned to post.
Simultaneous to the run, Rat Olympics, the spirited culmination of Rat Challenge, the 10-week physical fitness program for the 4th Class cadets, was held primarily in the Corps Physical Training Facility, but with additional challenges held in Foster Stadium, Cormack Hall, and on the North Post obstacle course.
The company scoring the most points is named victor of Rat Olympics. To get into the competitive spirit, companies designed their own flags on bedsheets and hoisted them high using bamboo poles as staffs. Companies stenciled unique designs on the back of their T-shirts, and many rats wore camouflage face paint. They competed in relays, dodge ball, rope-climbing race, and rock climbing. The events culminated with a tug-of-war bracketed championship.
Additionally, the company that gives a strong effort and displays the best attitude is awarded the Stockwell Cup, named for the late Col. Bill Stockwell. The cadre member who has demonstrated the spirit, enthusiasm, and vision of Rat Challenge throughout the 10 weeks is presented the Col. James Coale award. Winners of the awards will be announced at a later date.
Additionally, the VA 250 Mobile Museum Experience, a custom-built 53-foot expandable tractor-trailer, was parked in front of New Barracks for touring Nov. 9 through Nov. 11. The display, “Out of Many, One,” is a cutting-edge, immersive, and hands-on exhibition utilizing compelling artifacts and high-tech displays, including a hologram of Patrick Henry reciting his famous, “Give me liberty, or give me death!” speech. The tours were free and open to the public. Over 270 people toured the mobile museum including children on school field trips.
The sky remained clear, and the temperatures warmed in the afternoon, creating a picture-perfect backdrop for the Founders Day parade in honor of VMI founding fathers, John Thomas Lewis Preston, Francis Henney Smith, and Claudius Crozet. Superintendent Lt. Gen. David Furness ’87 took review of the parade, and the Cadet Battery rendered a 15-gun salute from the howitzers—the standard salute for a lieutenant general—as the Regimental Band played “Ruffles and Flourishes.”
Later in the evening, the Keydet basketball team beat North Carolina Central in Cameron Hall. The final score was 65-51.
