In the News

Professor at VMI, a military college in Virginia

Boonshoft Part of With Good Reason Segment

Lt. Col. Mark Boonshoft, associate professor in the history department at Virginia Military Institute, will discuss the literacy tests that denied many Black Americans the right to vote during Jim Crow on the public radio program, "With Good Reason," March 18-24.

Riley Shultz ’24, Christian Cole ’24, and Parker Rice ’24 confer on debate strategy in the balcony overlooking the assembly at the Model Arab League.-Photo courtesy of Maj. Jason Schroepfer.

VMI Takes Part in Model Arab League Debate

Cadets participated in the annual three-day Appalachia Regional Model Arab League debate recently at Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia. MAL helps prepare students to be knowledgeable, well-trained, and effective citizens as well as civic and public affairs activists.

Christopher M. Hulburt ’22, valedictorian of the Class of 2022 at Virginia Military Institute, speaking during commencement,.

Valedictorian Hulburt Addresses Graduates

Christopher M. Hulburt ’22, valedictorian of the Class of 2022 at Virginia Military Institute, spoke during commencement, of what brought his fellow cadets and himself to VMI, and what kept them at VMI, and the importance of attributes like honor, duty, excellence, and integrity.

Chris Hulburt ’22 presents his senior thesis in Scott Shipp Hall during Honors Week.—VMI Photo by Kelly Nye.

Cadet Researches Contributions of 19th Century African-Americans at VMI

Christopher Hulburt ’22 researched contributions of 19th Century African-Americans at VMI in senior thesis “Unearthed Contributors: African-Americans at Virginia Military Institute, 1839-1851.”

Christopher M. Hulburt ’22 defends his thesis of the significant contributions by enslaved African-Americans and free people of color.—VMI Photo by Kelly Nye.

Honors Week Held at VMI

This year's Honors Week showcased research and scholarship across all disciplines by 34 cadets who presented their research to the wider VMI community. The annual event also saw a large number of cadets inducted into academic honor societies.

Christopher M. Hulbert ’22 presents his senior thesis: “Unearthed Contributors: African-Americans at Virginia Military Institute, 1839-1851

Cadet Highlights Earliest African-American Contributions at VMI

In his senior thesis “Unearthed Contributors: African-Americans at Virginia Military Institute, 1839-1851,” Christopher M. Hulbert ’22 argues that enslaved African-Americans and free people of color in Rockbridge County were equally influential as Smith and Preston.

Michael M. Hoffmann ’22 presents his senior thesis on The Cultural Renaissance of the Post-Vietnam Army.

Cadet Researches The Cultural Renaissance of the Post-Vietnam Army

Has the Army improved since the Vietnam war? Has it acknowledged and corrected the mistakes made? Michael M. Hoffmann ’22, who commands the 1st Battalion within the Corps of Cadets at Virginia Military Institute, believes it has and defended his thesis during Honors Week.

Olmsted cadets and faculty pose during their adventures on the Olmsted trip during this year's spring furlough.—Photo courtesy of Col. Houston Johnson

Olmsted Trip Offers New Perspectives to Cadets

Fourteen 1st Class cadets got a taste of life in southeast Europe as they traveled to Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina over spring furlough. The trip was sponsored by the Olmsted Foundation, an organization that provides cultural immersion opportunities for cadets planning careers in the military.

Photo of VMI cadets posing in front of conference at the 2021 SoCon Undergraduate Research Forum (SURF).

“SURFers” Share Research Projects

Maj. Sarah Patterson and Maj. Blain Patterson from the Department of Applied Mathematics had the privilege of accompanying 11 cadets as they presented their research on a variety of topics, ranging from identifying glycans with neural networks to women in counterterrorism.

Jack McCown '24 and family of alumni from Fall 2021

Photo from Alumni Reunion Reflects Family Legacy

Every picture tells a story, and this picture from an alumni reunion this fall depicts the VMI legacy of the McCown family. Originally from Lexington, Virginia, members of the McCown family have attended VMI since the 1920s.

VMI: Forging 21st Century Leaders