In the News

Four cadets who received direct commissions into the U.S. Coast Guard through VMI, a military college, pose in front of barracks.

VMI Makes History with the U.S. Coast Guard: Cadets Receive Direct Commissions

For the first time in history, Virginia Military Institute cadets have received active-duty direct commissions to the USCG by way of the Auxiliary University Programs, and will take their oath of office and receive their first salute at the Joint Commissioning Ceremony in May.

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.

VMI cadets stand at heritage map created as part of Language and Cultures Week.

Language and Culture Week at VMI

Cadets, faculty, and staff were able to sample dishes that represent the different language taught at VMI and learn about academic offerings as part of "Language and Culture Week at VMI" hosted by the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures.

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.

Col. Spencer Bakich With Good Reason promotional photo

Bakich Part of With Good Reason Segment

Col. Spencer Bakich, professor of international studies at Virginia Military Institute and the director of the national security minor, will discuss U.S. and China tensions on the public radio program With Good Reason.

Antonio Ahanj ’24 and fellow scholars of the Critical Language Scholarship program visit the port of Tangier in Morocco. -Photo courtesy of Antonio Ahanj ’24.

VMI Cadet Awarded Scholarship to Study in Morocco

Antonio Ahanj ’24, an international studies major at VMI, spent the summer studying Arabic in Tangier, Morocco, after winning a highly competitive scholarship.

Katie Lloyd ’23 organizes her findings on intelligence for her Summer Undergraduate Research Institute (SURI) project titled, “Toward a Typology of U.S. Intelligence Successes and Failures.”

VMI Cadet Researches Intelligence Failures and Successes

Katie Lloyd ’23 researches historical intelligence events in her Summer Undergraduate Research Institute (SURI) project titled, “Toward a Typology of U.S. Intelligence Successes and Failures.”

Grayson Galeone ’22 serves as moderator during a debate in, “Democracy and Elections,” a course taught by Col. Howard Sanborn. -VMI Photo by Kelly Nye.

Democracy Class Run Democratically

Cadets learned the meaning of democracy, how scholars define it, and how different forms are implemented by running their own course and democratically determining course rules, reading topics and assignments.

Richard Stacpoole ’22 wraps Matthew Ehret’s hands with tape for protection.

4,046 pull-ups. 17 hours. Nearly $2,000 raised for Warriors Heart Foundation

Matthew Ehret ’22 sets pull-up record with 4,046 reps within 24 hours to raise money for Warriors Heart Foundation.

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.

VMI: Forging 21st Century Leaders