Katie Grochalski ’24 found that rifle served as her own personal time, something that she could devote only to herself. The solid black powder, the popping of rifles, it had a calming effect on her, so much so that she could even fall asleep at the range.  

Cadets taking this new course study risk factors that youth can face, and how those risks manifest in the physical body, particularly the brain. Cadets also learn to identify conditions that safeguard against risk, and examine programs and policies that focus on positive youth development.

Grant Swinehart knows a lot about dedication and it’s something that VMI head football coach Danny Rocco recognized. Prior to the season, Swinehart was awarded the number 0 which is a new tradition started by Rocco. Each year, number zero will be given to the captain of the special teams.

Leadership is one of the foundations of Virginia Military Institute. The concept is something Anthony Cruz Fernandez-Grimes ’25 is exploring for his summer research project.  

This summer, Caragh Osborne ‘24 is conducting a study focused on anxiety symptom scores among athletes and non-athletes, examining the impact of family influence on the decision to attend college and its potential correlation with anxiety levels.  

Claire Curtis focused her Honors Week discussion on two fairly common learning differences: ADHD, which is characterized by hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsiveness; and dyslexia, a disorder personal to Curtis, and characterized by issues in reading, writing, and understanding written language.

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.

Lt. Col. Sara Whipple, associate professor of psychology, wanted to provide a way for the students in her Developmental Psychology course to connect the knowledge they have learned in class to a real world environment, so she recently took them on a field trip to Augusta Correctional Center.

VMI faculty members continue to be recognized and win awards for their excellence in teaching, research, and public service.

John Wang '22 is a psychology major who grew up in Taiwan and California. After graduation, he hopes to go to law school like his uncle, John Kao '91. On post, Wang currently serves as an assistant investigator for the OGA.