ERHS Stories

The challenges and structure of VMI drew Virginia Price ’28 to the Institute — a test of resilience, discipline, and academic excellence. In just a few months, Price has embraced this demanding environment, thriving both in her studies and in extracurricular activities.

Mattie Quesenberry Smith, Ph.D., instructor in the Department of English, Rhetoric, and Humanistic Studies at Virginia Military Institute, was recently appointed the commonwealth’s new poet laureate by Governor Glenn Youngkin.

Becoming one of the co-captains of Virginia Military Institute’s men’s soccer team, Colin Blandford ’26 didn’t expect to carry so much weight. It was a stark contrast to him serving as captain in high school.

The schedule Gretal Shank ’25 keeps ensures she’s able to get all her tasks done. On top of a sport, she’s taken a heavy credit load her entire time at VMI — taking 20 credits this semester, three of which are dedicated to her honor’s thesis.

Virginia Military Institute requires structure and dedication. It also becomes a place where bonds are created that can last a lifetime. Maybe it’s a professor, a coach, or a fellow cadet. No one makes it through VMI alone. The Cadet Collective tells the stories of those relationships that help pave the way for success. For many cadets at Virginia Military Institute, the journey through rigorous academic and physical challenges is not a solitary endeavor. Conner Felts ’24, an English major, experienced the profound impact of mentorship and networking that defines the VMI experience with alumni during his time as a cadet. Felts’ […]

Jackson Miller ’24 has aspirations of becoming a doctor. The recent graduate from Rockville, Maryland, will be taking a step in that direction as a research technician at the Johns Hopkins Hunterian Neurosurgical Laboratory starting this summer.

Jackson Miller ’24 was drawn to a research topic as he approached his 1st Class year with strong philosophical and religious themes. He presented his research “Dostoyevsky and Star Wars: Understanding How Narratives Can Help Us Deepen Our Moral Awareness” during Honors Week in the spring semester.

Devin Butler ’24 doesn’t remember a time when there wasn’t a basketball in his hands. He may not have been able to dribble it as a baby, but it was there.

If anyone knows balance, it’s Andrew Granger ’24. Not just with academics and cadet life, but within his event for track and field.

Two alumni speakers spoke of their love of teaching for Virginia Military Institute’s Department of English, Rhetoric, and Humanistic Studies (ERHS) Alumni Forum, “Finding a Calling” held Feb. 20 in Scott Shipp Hall.

Kaylee Brennan ’23, an English major at Virginia Military Institute, did independent field work to create a guide for cadets who plan on attending law school after they graduate. It’s to be used as a resource for cadets on how to prepare and apply to law school.

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.