Josh Kiggans ’25 has always wanted to help others. He came to Virginia Military Institute with the mindset to join the military. However, over the years, he realized another goal.  

Jeremiah Wilks ’25, an international studies major from VMI, originally planned to attend law school but was inspired during his time at the Institute to commission into the U.S. Army as an infantry officer.

The applied mathematics major from Virginia Beach, Virginia, had an original plan to commission in the U.S. Navy as an explosive ordnance disposal officer, but he was medically removed from the Naval ROTC unit over a year ago. Instead, he has accepted a job with Lockheed Martin.  

Graduate school was always on Whitney Tracy’s ’25 list following undergrad. Although her dream of pursuing medical school has changed, her time at Virginia Military Institute has guided her on a different path.

Christian Walker ’25 initially had no plans to attend law school but discovered a passion for law during his second year at VMI through coursework and mentorship from Maj. Tim Passmore.

Sadie Smith ’26 was looking for a college that could prepare her for a successful career and life. She said Virginia Military Institute is a place like no other and it offered the kind of lifestyle she was striving for.

Woongchan Oh ’25 had considered a military path during high school. But it was a soccer scholarship to Virginia Military Institute that solidified his decision.

Kevin Garroway ’25 wanted a challenge. All it took was one visit to Virginia Military Institute and he could see how different it was from other schools. He was sold.

A short drive from VMI is the 215-foot-tall wonder, Natural Bridge. While so close, many cadets have never visited the site. Maj. Peter Neofotis, lecturer in the Department of Biology and native of Rockbridge County, saw an opportunity to weave in some of his biology lessons.

John Kennedy ’25 used his Virginia Military Institute Honors Week presentation to tackle how asymmetries between the United States and China shape the potential for conflict in his thesis titled, “Asymmetries Between the U.S. and China in the Context of Conflict.” 

During VMI’s Honors Week, Earl Filgo ’25 presented his thesis exploring how international rivalries impact global cooperation on climate change. A future U.S. Army military intelligence officer, Filgo combined national security, diplomacy, and environmental concerns in his research.

When Col. James Squire’s son was misdiagnosed with hearing loss, he began a years-long project to help parents understand how their children hear. Over nine years, three VMI cadets developed an app that simulates hearing loss using real audiograms.

Jonah Jurak's '25 firsthand experience observing public attitudes toward Morocco’s monarchy led him to explore how quasi-democratic systems function in autocratic regimes.

A team of Virginia Military Institute cadets earned top honors at the prestigious Law of Armed Conflict Competition in Sanremo, Italy, winning four gold medals and one silver — more than any other academy.

The hurdles of college and extracurricular activities mean something a little different for Zach Denton ’27, considering he actually jumps hurdles. As part of the Virginia Military Institute track and field team, Denton is dedicated to going the distance.

Brian Tavenner '25, an electrical and computer engineering major, researched the polarization and interstellar extinction around the star Gamma Cassiopeia for his honors thesis.

Jude Roberts '25, a computer science, analyzed the effectiveness of AI in resume selection for his honors thesis. Using ChatGPT to evaluate 1,000 resumes across various job categories, he found that AI was less accurate and more vulnerable to bias and manipulation than human hiring managers.

Time management is a common theme for many cadets, especially as a cadet-athlete. Caden Plummer ’25 is no stranger to figuring out his time and schedule.  

Patrick Kiernan '25 explored the complexities of school desegregation in his honors thesis, focusing on key Supreme Court cases from the 1960s and 1970s. His research examined the challenges of enforcing desegregation post-Brown v. Board of Education, highlighting how the process was complicated.

Brooks Freeman ’25, an English major at Virginia Military Institute, sought a common core between the philosophies of Jalāl al-Dīn Rūmī, a 13th century Middle Eastern Sufi mystic and poet, and SØren Kierkegaard, a 19th century Danish philosopher, theologian, and poet, in his honors presentation.

Jillian Sisk ’27 followed her passion for math and science to VMI, where she discovered her love for civil engineering after initially exploring other STEM paths. In addition to her rigorous academic schedule, Sisk is a dedicated long-distance runner on VMI’s track and field team.

Nickole Chavez ’26 excels in writing and enjoys it, though she finds science and math less appealing. Her professors recognized her discipline, focus, and strong engagement in class, making her stand out among her peers.

Suzanne Leaptrot ’25 explored the intersection of comedy and political rhetoric in her honors thesis, examining whether comedians, like Colbert, engage in demagoguery by analyzing his monologues from the 2016, 2020, and 2024 conventions.

Simon Moore ’25 was drawn to Arthur Schopenhauer’s pessimistic views and honesty about pain and suffering. He said it might be considered a taboo subject, but it intrigued him.

It’s a mental game for Dyson Dunham ’26, not just while he’s wrestling, but during his day-to-day. He sacrifices a lot when cutting weight for matches, staying on top of assignments, and fitting in his cadet duties. On the mat, he says he’s doing it for himself.

John Gibson ’26 initially underestimated the academic challenges at Virginia Military Institute, leading to a rough first semester, but his determination to improve transformed his approach to learning.

Harrison Williams ’25, a cadet at Virginia Military Institute majoring in economics and business, researched the wisdom of investing in the United States for his honors project, “Sustainable Debt Limit Estimates for the U.S. and 20 Other OECD Countries.”

Delilah Martindale ’25 researched for her honors thesis, “Preventing Suicide: The Effect of Visibility on Mental Health Infrastructure.” She chose the subject of suicide prevention in order to merge her major in international studies with her minor in psychology.

From overcoming setbacks to rekindling her love for swimming, Val Tonnu '26 found strength in structure, camaraderie, and character. She’s using her voice to uplift others, proving that true success is built on resilience and determination.

Alexis Gonzalez '25, a history major, is dedicated to helping others, a passion that led her to become an EMT and pursue a future in emergency management. Her resilience, teamwork, and service-oriented mindset have made her a standout cadet, earning the respect of her professors and classmates.

College was the last thing on Cameron Thomas’ ’27 radar in high school. Instead, he was looking to enlist in the military once he graduated. That was until he started track his junior year, specifically competing in pole vault.

Ryan Halverson ’26 has grown through the challenges and lessons learned at Virginia Military Institute, especially outside the classroom. His professors describe him as a dedicated and insightful student who actively engages in discussions and decision-making.

Matthew Picard ’27 vowed he would never attend a military college. One of his teammates in high school ended up going to Virginia Military Institute and he was encouraged to investigate it.

2nd Lt. Janine Colantonio '23 graduated from Ranger School January 24, 2025. Her journey was more than just a test of physical endurance—it was a crucible of leadership, self-discipline, and perseverance.

Last week, the Phi Sigma Iota International Foreign Language Honor Society hosted Global Festivities, an event celebrating the cultural diversity of New Year traditions around the world.

Adrenaline and nerves flow through Eleyah Armstong ’25 before she starts a race. As a captain and sprinter on Virginia Military Institute’s track and field team, the anxiety dissipates quickly as she runs.

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.

Since picking up lacrosse at age 5, Cole Jones ’26 has been drawn to the sport’s blend of physicality and speed — a pace that mirrors his packed schedule of academics, ROTC, and cadet duties. Jones credits the structure and camaraderie at VMI for teaching him how to prioritize.

Scott Streff ’25 arrived at the Virginia Military Institute with dreams of playing lacrosse and seeking a future in the U.S. Army. While his initial goal was athletics, his journey evolved into something far greater, driven by personal growth, academic achievement, and a deepened sense of purpose.

Patrick Jordon ’27 has found purpose and resilience through the challenges of wrestling and life at VMI. Balancing the demands of being a cadet-athlete and a civil engineering major, he thrives on discipline, problem-solving, and overcoming procrastination.

Ryan Peterson ’25 has learned how to compartmentalize and focus. He said it’s something that his time at VMI has helped frame for him. The international studies major explained that the rigors of academics and playing a Division I sport makes it so he must focus on one task at a time.

The Institute hosted the 2025 United States Powerlifting Coalition (USPC) Virginia is for Lifters! powerlifting meet Saturday Feb. 1 in Cocke Hall, and it was a day of excellence for VMI Powerlifting, a club sport for cadets.

Sadie Smith '26 excels as a water polo captain, cadre member, and honors student at VMI, while preparing for a 10-week internship with the Defense Intelligence Agency in Washington, D.C.

The club, which has about 15 cadets on the roster, practices three times a week. They also make excursions to cliffs and bouldering opportunities in the surrounding areas on the weekends.

With a roster of 33 cadets, the club focuses on tennis and pickleball, while also looking at offering racquetball and badminton in the future. Inspired by years of playing, Jude Roberts ’25 hopes to bring camaraderie and fitness to cadet life through the new club.

Woongchan Oh ’25, a civil engineering major and cadet-athlete at VMI, balances the demanding cadet lifestyle with his passion for soccer. From Korea’s pro-soccer academies to VMI's soccer team, he’s learned the value of teamwork, time management, and dedication.

A group of VMI cadets recently journeyed to the China Folk House Retreat in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, where they immersed themselves in traditional Chinese culture.

Whitney Tracy '25 juggles her role as the starting goalkeeper, an S4 lieutenant managing logistics for the Corps, and her biology major — all while preparing for her next chapter after graduation.

The main aim for cadets in the VMI Pistol Club during practices at the firing range is to focus on precision shooting with air pistols. The club, led by Chris Olsen ’25, brings together a diverse group of cadets to compete nationally in Olympic-style events.

Community is something Patrick Kiernan ’25 values in his life. It’s one of the reasons he chose to go to Virginia Military Institute and also a big part as to why he’s on the cross country team.  

Capt. Trey Copenhaver ’12 shares his spine-chilling experiences of unexplained knocks, ghostly wake-up calls, and haunting sounds of battle at VMI. From the mysterious specters on post to the orchard of New Market, cadets past and present recount tales of paranormal activity that lingers.

Sedona Dancu '25 thrives in VMI's demanding environment. From balancing soccer practices and cadet duties to growing in faith as a cadet chaplain, she credits VMI for teaching her discipline and time management.

Through resources like the Miller Academic Center and academic advisors, Terrell Jackson stays on top of his studies while mentoring teammates and maintaining relationships between athletics and the Corps.

It wasn’t love at first run for Abby Fiorillo ’25. She said her father made her do cross country when she was in high school, but the longer she ran, her love for the sport grew.  

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.  

VMI Water Polo Head Coach Danielle Montenegro will work for USA Water Polo this upcoming year, as she was asked to be the head coach of one of the organization's 16 and Under Olympic Development Program (ODP) Teams.

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.

Moe is a staple around post. He’s present for home football games, pep rally, and other home sporting events. The mascot is around for pictures and overall, a boost in morale. He's a key part of the Keydets, specifically with family, friends, alumni, and other guests in attendance at events.

They say nothing can prepare you for the Rat Line, but there are ways to ease into the rigors of Virginia Military Institute. One option is for incoming rats to participate in the Summer Transition Program (STP). You’re able to get a class under your belt while familiarizing yourself with post.

Amber Strapponi ’26, a computer science major, took an internship with the Joint Special Operations Command. She focused on security policies on their platform development team and strengthening the security posture of ARK, their custom-built Kubernetes platform.

Antonio Ahanj ’24 attributes much of his growth and success to the unique environment fostered at VMI, where supportive relationships and a culture of mentorship have played a crucial role for him. 

VMI cadet Hai-Hsin Huang '25, an applied mathematics major with a minor in physics, is evaluating cost-efficient exercise programs for the elderly as part of the Summer Undergraduate Research Institute (SURI) at the Virginia Military Institute. 

Conner Felts '24 experienced the profound impact of mentorship and networking that defines the VMI experience with alumni during his time as a cadet. His interest in the athletic communications field began with his involvement in photography and social media management for the VMI basketball team.

Those at STP can also participate in resilience workshops, which started in 2017. Each year, the workshops have evolved, based on the feedback from previous years. This year, there were three sessions: Rat Rhythm, Stress Less, and Mental Fitness. There were also yoga sessions students could attend.

Nearly two dozen traveled to Spain this summer for a study abroad program, with varying majors and minors represented, from economics and business, modern languages, history, computer science, engineering, and more. The five-week program allowed cadets to take classes at the Universidad de Alcalá.

After spending several summers working in the U.S. Capitol, in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, Jimmy Murphy ’24 will be heading to Notre Dame Law School in the fall.  

Business and computer science were two industries that Warner Collier ’24 saw opportunity in. Coming to Virginia Military Institute, he wanted to cast as wide of a net as possible, which brought him to major in economics and business, with minors in computer science and cybersecurity.

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.

An internship at the U.S. Army War College was something Earl Filgo ’25 wouldn’t pass up. It was not a particular goal he had been striving for, but something he was required to do to complete his national security minor.  

With movements like Black Lives Matter and events of January 6, 2021, Michael “Bane” London ’25 had one question — what makes American’s gather like this to get their message across and how far back does it go? 

Gaining real world experience was a high priority while attending college for James ‘Alex’ Baber V ’25. The economics and business major from Richmond, Virginia, landed an internship at Tandem Investment Advisors, headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina, for the summer. 

The 1st Class cadet and international studies major from Mooresville, North Carolina, will be interning at the U.S. Army War College this summer.  

Virginia Military Institute cadets preparing to be post emergency medical technicians (EMTs) underwent mass casualty incident (MCI) training recently.

Finding VMI and all it offers was by chance. While looking at options for college, Benjamin Fong '27 sought out an ROTC scholarship. That meant selecting schools with ROTC options. He clicked Virginia Military Institute but had never heard of it.  

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.

Jonathan Tumwikirize ’24 wanted to gain firsthand experience in a military environment, while also getting his degree. It’s what drew him to Virginia Military Institute and allowed him to explore federal-civilian positions to pursue upon graduation.

The power transition theory appealed to Devin Thomas '24 due to its focus on power dynamics and systemic changes, which have significant implications for international relations at various levels.

In addition to course work, VMI's nuclear concentration within the mechanical engineering degree includes two field trips — a fall trip to Dominion Energy’s North Anna nuclear power station in Louisa County, Virginia and a spring trip to Framatome, a nuclear industry supplier in Lynchburg, Virginia.

“Voices of Gratitude” is a touching tribute featuring a few graduating cadets surprising their mentors with letters of gratitude, sharing the impact of guidance, support, and inspiration received during their cadetship.

“Having my brother here was definitely a perk,” Matthew said. “It was nice to know where I'm going to go, I already have a guaranteed friend. We were best friends growing up.” 

Ty Swaim '24 based his decision on attending VMI for the opportunity to play baseball, the trust he had with the coaching staff, and the expectations they had for him.

After breaking out of the Rat Line, the Class of 2027 has taken their next step at the Institute, electing their class president, vice president, and historian.

VMI was one of 25 military academies from around the world who participated in the annual Competition on the Law of Armed Conflict in Sanremo, Italy. This year, VMI walked away with five awards, which was the most received by any academy at the competition.

The lecture and seminar series serves as an opportunity for faculty and staff to participate in monthly professional development training. 

Adam Hoffman '24 presented his thesis “Virginia Military Institute Recruiting: How Cadets found their Way Here” during Honors Week. He saw that VMI had a hard recruiting season for the Class of 2026. His research was aimed to look at the effectiveness of past resources in recruiting.

Annie Townsend '24 blended her interest with history, architecture, and security to form her senior thesis, “A Security Analysis of the Virginia Military Institute’s Barracks through the Lens of Infrastructure," which she presented during Honors Week at Virginia Military Institute.

Kaiden Minter ’26, an international studies major, is spending spring semester studying with the Faculty of Political Science at the University of Belgrade in Serbia.

Jon Krueger ’24 is the project manager of the club, which means he’s in charge of organizing events while working with other leadership within the club. In the past, the club has sat in on University of Virginia’s law students’ mock trials as jurors, along with tours of UVA Law School.  

Leadership and regiment have been ingrained into Kyle Webster ’24 since beginning his time at Virginia Military Institute. In his last semester, he perfected the balance of academics and athletics. Although, he admits it was challenging. 

Discipline. It’s something that Virginia Military Institute instills in its cadets. Luke Rose ’24 said it’s integral in being part of the triathlon club.  

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.

By joining VMI’s Det 880 Arnold Air Society John P. Jumper Squadron, Nathan “Skye” Van Ness ’25 leadership skills have increased tenfold. The Arnold Air Society (AAS) is a service organization through the Air Force ROTC (AFROTC) that centers on professionalism, honor, and community service.

Courtney Novotny ’25 starts out each week with a plan. Every Sunday she goes over what needs to be done for the coming week. It’s the only way she can stay organized and on target for all her goals, especially since she’s one of the co-captains of the water polo team, handling her classes and more.

The VMI Swim and Dive athletes broke 26 program — team, rat, and personal — records during the championship, closing out the 2023-24 season.

The cadet regimen has worked out for Tyler Mousaw '24. Plus, being a D1 athlete on VMI’s wrestling team has enabled him to find ways to balance everything.

Lucas Wood ’24 grew up hunting and target shooting, but it wasn’t until he became friends with Virginia Military Institute’s Trap and Skeet Club cadet in charge that he shot a clay.

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.  

Sebastian Ramirez ’24 became fond of the challenging lifestyle that came with attending Virginia Military Institute after attending an open house. He said the high standards that cadets endured on a daily basis was something he wanted.

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

Joseph Addison Hagan V ’24 always admired the men in his family who attended Virginia Military Institute. It was a part of his family history he wanted to claim.

Christopher Hicks ’24 takes a deep breath, sets up his sight, braces his weapon, and fires. For Hicks, the sport of rifle is 90% mental. It’s also long and arduous.

VMI’s Building BRIDGES Club bridges the gap between VMI cadets, faculty, and staff and the community. Bijon Bose ’24, one of the cadets in charge for the club said he was drawn to serve his community, and helping out the community is just part of being a cadet.  

When Drew Menges '25 found Virginia Military Institute, it was nearly kismet. By attending VMI, he’d also be able to play soccer for the school while still having the opportunity to pursue serving his country.

Few people can say they spent their summer aboard a warship in the Pacific Ocean, but Rukshana Sarkari ’24 can.

Virginia Military Institute’s Aviation Club is selective — only eight people can join at a time, because VMI foots the bill for participating cadets to get five hours of flight time towards their private pilot’s license.

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.

Zac Somers ’24 wasn’t hitting his shots the Sunday at a golf tournament. His swings weren’t looking good. The day just felt off. He needed some support to continue on the course.

When the days are long and tiring — both exhausting mentally and physically — Audrey Davis '25 said she can’t give up. Cadet-athletes at VMI not only have their responsibilities with their selected sport but cadet duties on top of that.

Although it’s an individual sport, the VMI Powerlifting Club is very team-oriented. When someone is going for a personal record (PR), the rest of the club is there to back them up and cheer them on.

Cadets at Virginia Military Institute can drop off their dirty laundry and pick it up just a day or so later. This service is included in their annual fees, and is just another part of what makes VMI not an ordinary college.

Members of VMI's Army ROTC Ranger Challenge and Combat Shooting Team recently attended the 2023 College Clash Shoot Out competition hosted by the Virginia National Guard’s Marksmanship Training Unit, with four cadets nabbing top marks.

When a cadet is looking for a unique club experience at the Virginia Military Institute, the equestrian club might just be the perfect fit. David Hess ’24 explained that the club is best known for its blend of riding, training, and trail adventures.

Tracy Hiner does a little bit of everything — from managing the dining facilities (Crozet Hall, PX, and The Arsenal), on post to serving up food, and managing a team of 120 employees.

Samantha Waters ’26 chose Virginia Military Institute because she wanted to become the best version of herself.

Thanks to support from the VMI Center for Undergraduate Research, four VMI cadets recently traveled to Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina to present their SURI research projects amongst their Southern Conference (SoCon) peers.

Glee club is one of the oldest clubs on post. The club was first listed in the VMI yearbook, The Bomb, back in 1885, where the club performed with vocals, guitars, mandolins, and violins.  

It takes three years to train as a tailor in the tailor shop at Virginia Military Institute. Those who work in the shop only work on a certain garment for a certain portion of the year, starting with blouses in the fall.

More than 50 alumni and nearly 1,100 cadets gathered in Memorial Hall and Cocke Hall Saturday, Sept. 29, for the Cadet–Alumni Career Networking Forum, an annual event designed to help cadets take advantage of one of VMI’s top resources: The alumni network.

The mission of Ducks Unlimited is to conserve, restore, and manage wetlands and associated habitats for North America’s waterfowl.

The VMI Barbershop is busy. Typically a barber completes 20 haircuts a day on cadets, but that number can spike. During busier times of the year, such as when cadets return from furlough, they may do 30-40 cuts a day. 

Cadets in the VMI Firefighting Club have the option of serving at three different departments — Lexington Fire Department, South River Fire Department, or Kerrs Creek Fire Department. Members of the firefighting club are permitted to volunteer for two days each week.

Louis Wiltenmuth ’25, a mechanical engineering major, wanted to get ahead in classes this past summer, while also gaining some cultural experience. What started as a study abroad experience in Rome, turned into him becoming the cadet in charge of the program.   

Katherine "Blaine" Noel is the quartermaster at the VMI Military Store, a place which serves as the first stop for rats and cadets to get their uniforms and everything that goes with them at the start of the year.

Retired Army Master Sgt. Chris Malone and two other jumpers are 5,000 feet in the air. It’s a Saturday afternoon and the Keydets are getting ready to play their first football game of the season.

Throughout Matriculation Day, the tension grew. Families took their incoming rats through move-in, the matriculation fair, uniform fittings, and their final meal together. Seated in Cameron Hall, a quiet, collective understanding can be felt.

Cadre Week is an 5-day training event that all cadre and support staff take part in. The week is packed with simulations, training, and planning in preparation for the incoming rats on Matriculation Day.

Caitria Catania ’24 has been studying Spanish for eight years, but after taking a Spanish literature class with Col. John Cerkey this past spring, her love of analyzing Spanish poets grew.

Once Virginia Military Institute came into view, John Barker '23 felt a surge of excitement. He had always dreamt of immersing himself in the world of information technology and making a mark in the industry.  

Brian Tavenner ’25, an electrical and computer engineering major at Virginia Military Institute, is designing and building a fiberglass rocket to reach the exact height of 1,023 feet using a F-engine motor in his five-week SURI project titled,“Target Altitude Project.”

Andrew Weston ’24 said he was inspired to dive into the diplomatic world thanks to his father. He also credits his interest in history and international studies to him. It also wasn’t until he had participated in Model United Nations that he found an interest in learning and debating.

Caroline Lassalle ’25 has always had a strong desire to learn about exercise science and work in the medical field. The biology major spent five weeks last summer becoming a certified emergency medical technician (EMT) at Virginia Military Institute.

The Chessie Nature Trail, which runs along the Maury River from Lexington to Buena Vista consists of seven miles of level path including several pedestrian bridges. Lawrence Porter ’24 is examining the serviceability of one of those bridges in his 10-week SURI project.

Owen Clifford ’24 first began his journey at Virginia Military Institute on an Army scholarship, but due to medical reasons, he wasn’t able to pursue that specific path. Instead, he turned to the private sector.  

As the summer heats up, so does the intensity of physical training at Virginia Military Institute. Summer Transition Program (STP) participants are hard at work in morning PT sessions, an essential element in preparing them for the challenges they will face during their first year at VMI.

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.  

Katie Lloyd ’23, an international studies major from Caroline County, Virginia, commissioning into active duty with the U.S. Marine Corps was always the plan. But her time at VMI was crucial for expanding knowledge and skills and finding her specific area of interest. 

Capt. Michael Gates’ ’17 former Virginia Military Institute roommate refers to him as the modern-day Teddy Roosevelt. Gates said that was a bit of an exaggeration and joked he could never be at Teddy Roosevelt’s caliber. 

A field trip to the NATO Defense College and test driving a prototype electric three-wheel vehicle? All in a week’s work for cadets participating in the VMI Engineering Summer Study Abroad program in Rome.

Brijesh Regeti ’24, a major, and Talli Tarring ’24, a major, worked together on their five-week project titled, “Data Analysis of United Way Donors” to research ways the organization can attract new donors.

Ellie Pickford '24 stood before a small glass tank, peering intently at the colorful Betta fish swimming within. Her summer research project was well underway, and she was determined to unlock the mysteries behind the interactions between nicotine and antidepressants. 

Kevin Linko ’23, a physics major from Princeton, New Jersey, minored in mathematics and astronomy. Soon he will begin his professional career with CACI, a company that provides expertise and technology to customers in support of national security missions and government transformation.  

Riley Malone ’25, a history major at Virginia Military Institute is examining the government policy on service members, and how their First Amendment rights have changed from 1900 to the present in his 10-week SURI project titled, “True Faith and Allegiance: The First Amendment in the Military.”   

Cadets from Virginia Military Institute joined peers from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the Royal Military College Saint-Jean in Canada for a two-week Israel Strategy & Policy Tour (I-SAP) held June 2 through 17.

Jimmy Murphy ’24 has been working the past two summers in the U.S. Capitol, jumping between the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. The international studies major and national security minor took his first internship the summer of 2021 as a legislative intern.

To better understand VMI, and navigate the Institute as a Black cadet, students assembled to build what is now known as “Promaji.”

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.  

Members of the VMI community continue to take their talents beyond the classroom to showcase their unique talents, competitive spirit, and commitment to military training.

Have you ever wondered what a mix of Army ROTC and a varsity sport would be? You’d get the Army ROTC Ranger Challenge team, which is a club at Virginia Military Institute.  

Members of the VMI community continue to expand academic opportunity and impact across various fields of study. Recent activities include honor society inductions, ethics bowl competition, and collaborations in cyber research.

James Burns ’23 and his team spend the year scouring post for memories. They come in the form of pictures, words, moments, and more. From the Rat Challenge, Breakout to Ring Figure and graduation, the VMI yearbook, “The Bomb,” takes a snapshot in time that can be memorialized forever.

The club has a membership total of three to five cadets. Most members of the club are also computer science majors. This common trait presents difficulties when cadets have overlapping group study sessions and cannot make it to the club meeting time.

Tori Wright ’24 was looking for anything to escape COVID-19 on post as a rat. The catch — there were not a lot of activities for rats to join due to the amount of work that was required of them in the Rat Line. Nevertheless, Virginia Military Institute’s Cadet Theatre was one she could.  

A team of cadets enjoyed success when it traveled to Sanremo, Italy, in late March to participate in the annual International Competition on the Law of Armed Conflict. The competition draws cadets from military academies all over the world.

Cadets at Virginia Military Institute recently demonstrated a computer-controlled golf cart to assist those who have trouble with mobility. The idea came about when the VMI Alumni Association got requests for golf cart transportation around post during reunions.  

When thinking of a military college in Southwest Virginia, the VMI Scuba Club is probably not on anyone’s radar. Surprisingly, cadets have applied this fun club to real-life experiences and necessary job training.  

Entering Virginia Military Institute, Chris Kushner ’24 signed up for a Biology 111 class with Col. Anne Alerding. Little did he know that when he was asked to join a research project, it would be something he would continue throughout his time at VMI. 

Since it’s a club sport, anyone can play on the VMI Hockey Team — even with little-to-no experience. In order to play a game though, you have to try out for the line. Only 22 can be put on the roster.

Cadets are required to take swimming classes — a requirement that sets VMI apart from other colleges and universities, Col. James Coale, head of the Department of Human Performance & Wellness (HPW), said.

In the game of rugby, 15 numbers on the field represent the different jobs of 15 players. Passing, catching, and tackling are the basic skills required of each player on the VMI Rugby team. The team is one of the most diverse and oldest club teams on post.

Brandon Marks ’23, an international studies major at Virginia Military Institute, conducted a two-year-long research project on microfinance, and presented his findings in his senior thesis titled, “The Impact of Domestic Context on Microfinance Provision and Effectiveness” during Honors Week, held

The combat shooting club team, currently consisting of 13 cadets, meets every Tuesday and Thursday at a location known as “the barn” at North Post.

VMI’s Cyber Club boasts 104 members, making it one of the largest club organizations on post. And it hasn’t been around for long — it started in 2017. 

Philip Argauer ’23 conducted a year-long research project on cadet motivation with physical fitness and presented his findings in his senior thesis titled, “Increased Physical Fitness With Volt” during Honors Week, held March 20-28.  

To celebrate the opening day of Major League Baseball, several employees joined forces to prepare, plan, and produce a hot dog bar in Crozet Hall. As a fan of the MLB and ballpark fare, Tracy Hiner, Parkhurt Dining general manager, worked with a team to produce a new experience for cadets.

Binh Tran ’23 is working to help parents of children with hearing impairments, and presented his research in his senior thesis. The goal of this multi-student project is to develop an app to help parents of hearing impaired children perceive the same sense of hearing that their children hear.

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.

Nick Schaefer ’23, an international studies major, minoring in national security, focused his research project on finding a pattern of behavior that leads to the use of private military companies.

VMI Boxing took to the ring for the USIBA 2023 National Tournament March 23 through 25 bringing home several accolades — for their sporting and academic endeavors.

Cadet Audrianna Kelly '25 aspired to get physically stronger and find more ways to defend herself to help aid her in her future military career. That’s when she found VMI’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) Club as a rat.

Cadet Matthew Frazier and the cast of “The Odd Couple” just closed out their production Sunday, March 26. For Frazier and fellow castmate Cadet Ted Harris ‘23, this was their last VMI Theatre production.   

Colin Butler '23 started his research where most research starts — at the drawing board. He conducted a year-long research project on concrete support beams. He presented his findings in his senior thesis titled, “High Strength Fiber Reinforce Concrete and its Application in Composite Beams.”

Cadet Chris Cocoris ‘23 remembers growing up listening to stories about his great-uncle George Cocoris. They were passed down to his father since his great-uncle had passed before Cocoris was born. George joined the Greek resistance to oppose the Axis occupation in 1941 Greece, Cocoris said.   

“You cannot manage what you cannot see,” said Cadet Dominick Lalena '23, to illustrate the necessity of visibility in cybersecurity. “Every time you go online, you enter the cyber realm. For security purposes, an organization should be able to see who enters their cyber space.”

At VMI, cadets that join the Marathon Club dedicate many hours of their lives to training for a single race.

The unofficial EMT program stems back to the 1990s, with a group of about five to six cadets. In the spring of 2016, it became certified by the state as a non-transport emergency medical service (EMS) agency.

Virginia Military Institute welcomed kung fu master Heng Yue and his students from the Shaolin Temple Culture Center in Herndon Sunday, March 5 in Marshall Hall.

Four cadets participated in the Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics at Princeton University in January. Grace Waters ‘23, Talli Tarring ‘24, Abby Fiorillo ‘25 and Angelina Garcia ‘25 were the four in attendance and are all members of the Women in Science Engineering (WiSe) group at VMI.

After a hiatus due to COVID-19, the club — dubbed The Regulators — took to nationals last year sweeping the competition. This year, they aim to do it again.  

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.

Since 2013, VMI’s Department of Applied Mathematics has hosted events for area middle and high school students to work with faculty and cadets on problem-solving.

Virginia Military Institute's Spring 2023 Engineering Networking & Internship Fair — an engineering-centered event — was held in Preston Library Feb. 14, 2023.

Blake Smith ’23, an economics and business major and this year’s regimental commander, has a moving story behind his success. He did not achieve the highest-ranking position a cadet can earn without inspiration, and that inspiration comes from his sister Ashley.

Carter Hugate ’24, a civil engineering major from Chesterfield, Virginia, is the second cadet to qualify for and successfully complete the Army Airborne School in Fort Benning, Georgia.

CDQC is a 6-week course, known by many as one of the most challenging and selective qualifications in the United States military. On top of being physically and academically demanding, combat divers are required to work extremely well as members of a team and under high pressure situations.

Through ongoing interviews and discussions, cadets in ERH 314 learned about and translated mechanical designs developed by the mechanical engineering cadets for open-source reports accessible to engineering departments at other colleges and universities.

During an exchange program at the University of Salford, John “Jack” Milenski ’24 visited the Great Hall of Edinburgh castle thanks to an invite from a descendant of a VMI alumnus.

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.

Most modern highways and roads are primarily funded through taxes paid at the gas pump, but with the increasing popularity of electric and hybrid vehicles, how will roads be funded in the future? Drew P. Melusen ’22 proposed alternative solutions in his senior thesis.

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.

There are so many uses for soybeans. In fact, soybean yield was the subject of the senior thesis “Performance of Soybean Cultivars in Varying Rural Virginia Sites: Effect of Site Characteristics on Shoot Structure and Yield” presented by Rachael Dickenson ’22, during Honors Week at VMI.

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.

Is it possible to know which country will start the next war? Leon M. Thomas ’22 posed this question as the basis of his senior thesis: “Democracies and Autocracies: Structural Factors that Determine Military Interventions” and presented his findings during honors week, held March 21-31.

Cadets conquered many challenges on and off post during 2022 spring field training exercises (FTX).

A team of 26 mechanical engineering cadets bring their skills to the Baja Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) vehicle design competition at Tennessee Tech in Cookeville, Tennessee.

“As VMI cadets, we are sought after for our leadership, discipline, and integrity. These are qualities that are simply not reliably found at other schools.”

The VMI men’s club rugby team has dominated their conference this season, going 6-2 in the fall and 4-0 in the spring. Now they have their sights set on a national championship.

Maria Korsnick, president and CEO of Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) in Washington, D.C., recently visited the Department of Mechanical Engineering and underscored the essential role for nuclear energy.

Since November, several cadets have been working toward the German Armed Forced Proficiency Badge (GAFPB), a decoration which requires the completion of six physical and military events.

Eight cadets from VMI, two from each class, traveled to Charleston and competed against the Citadel’s team. A series of challenging events and exercises, the competition was designed to foster camaraderie and showcase the best of each institution.

The VMI combat shooting club team represented the Institute at the annual Relentless Warrior Competition hosted by the Sig Sauer Academy in New Hampshire on April 9. At the event, the team competed against federal and senior military colleges in a six-stage combat shooting challenge.

VMI’s Coast Guard detachment kicked off their first ever spring field training exercises with the arrival of a USCG HH-60 helicopter to post.

Where does an author get his inspiration to write a fictional novel? How does an author develop character traits and personalities? Are writers and the work they create influenced by philosophers? Carson Knox ’22 explored the relationship between writing and philosophy in his senior thesis.

Crowdsourcing, which is enlisting the help of a large pool of people, has historically been a valuable way to help with disaster relief. Tanner Mallari ’22 researched that subject in his senior thesis, “Evaluation of Crowdsourcing Applications in Disaster Relief”, during Honors Week at VMI.

The VMI Glee Club represented the arts for the Institute and enjoyed beautiful weather in Puerto Rico over spring furlough. The group escaped a Virginia snowstorm when they departed from Roanoke Saturday, March 12, and within a day they were at the beach of Luquillo, Puerto Rico.

Three VMI cadets recently attended the U.S. Air Force Academy’s 2022 National Character and Leadership Symposium in Colorado. The conference’s theme this year was “Ethics and Respect for Human Dignity,” and the event featured several keynote speakers and sessions.

Cadets across post will have an opportunity to visit with award-winning, New York Times bestselling writer S.A. Cosby, from Southeastern Virginia. The visit was arranged by LTC Mary Stewart Atwell, an associate professor in the department of English, Rhetoric, and Humanistic Studies.

An Olympic sport, VMI has competed in pistol shooting in different forms since 1932. The current iteration of the team was formed in 2011 and is coached by Reece McCormick. Cadets fire two main types of pistols: air-powered pistols firing a .117 caliber pellet and .22 caliber pistols.

As he looks ahead to completing his time at VMI, Kim hopes future cadets remember to focus on what is important and “find that balance between academics, physical fitness, and free time.”

Noah Goldsmith ’22 recently presented research completed with John Barker ’23 in the ACM International Conference on Advanced Information Science and System (AISS 2021) hosted in Sanya, China, guided by Dr. Youna Jung, associate professor of computer information sciences.

Cadets taking Civil Engineering 121, Surveying, took a field trip to McKethan Park before Thanksgiving furlough to practice flying Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs or “drones”) used in surveying and mapping.

“There's so much knowledge here,” Leon Thomas '22 commented. “There's all this different military experience from different branches that you really would never have seen in many other places.”

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.

Her senior year of high school, Claire Lee '22 attended an open house to see what post was like, and as she put it, “The parade really got me. I fell in love with the whole system of VMI: the brotherhood, the discipline people are required to learn, the structure."

Mitchell Masterson '21 and his mentor, Maj. Jochen S. Arndt, travelled recently to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference for Undergraduate Scholarship, where Masterson presented his work on "Reporting on Civil War: How Newspapers Explained Township Violence in South Africa, 1990-1994."

As the world adapts to an environment of managing COVID-19 risk, VMI admissions staff have been able to bring back a staple of pre-pandemic life—overnight visits by prospective cadets—but with safeguards in place.

Tanner Mallari ’22, a computer and information sciences major, recently presented at the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) International Conference on Computer Science and Software Engineering (CSSE 2021).

Cadets part of the running club at VMI have found much success at recent races in southwest Virginia. Club members ran in both the Chessie Nature Trail races and Harvest Hustle races, with many cadets running personal best times.

Maybe it was because Family Weekend was canceled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the Family Weekend festivities on post held Oct. 8-10 seemed livelier than ever.

Many ceremonious events at VMI have a face and a voice. They’re often that of Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins ’85, superintendent, or Kasey Meredith ’22, this year’s regimental commander. The VMI community has become familiar with Meredith from events like Matriculation Day and parades.

Cadets Michael Hoffmann ’22 and Christopher Soo ’22 have been recognized by Army ROTC Cadet Command as top cadets in the nation, with Hoffmann ranking No. 5 and Soo No. 7.

On Monday, Sept. 20, the history department, in conjunction with the English department, sponsored a Constitution Day event supporting VMI’s emerging Constitutional history program. Constitution Day, which commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787, is observed on post and

As with everything else at VMI this fall, food service has undergone numerous changes in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Easily recognizable in their navy blue shirts, VMI’s cadet emergency medical technicians (EMTs) seem to be everywhere at certain times of the year. During Matriculation Week, some of them are working almost 18 hours a day as the new cadets and their cadre train in the August heat.

This year, Lt. Col. Todd Pegg '92 added a new level of responsibility to his already full plate when he assumed duties as commander of the Virginia National Guard’s 329th regional support group.

The United States Space Force Captain Even Rogers ’10 typically flies from Colorado to Arizona when visiting his family, but the small plane he has was in the shop. Isn’t that how all stories of fate begin?

This summer, Thomas Muldowney ’21 is working on a research project that involves a lot of number crunching— finding out which policies benefit people.

“Memes are just an interesting concept.” That’s what Josie Freeman ’23 has to say about her Summer Undergraduate Research Institute project, “Motivation for Memes.”

As graduation loomed for the Class of 2020, and the U.S. unemployment rate rose, the VMI Alumni Agencies and the Office of Career Services began to work together to bolster new graduates’ chances of job-hunting success.

The tick rover, a longtime project for Col. Jim Squire, professor of electrical and computer engineering, has won a national award. Additionally, the VMI team beat out teams from several nationally recognized research universities and is headed to the international stage.

This summer, work will begin on three construction projects, while work continues or nears completion on a multitude of others.

This spring, 35 cadets were on study-abroad programs when the pandemic hit. By March 23, all had safely returned to the United States. At first, it wasn’t clear that they were going to have to leave their host country—and many didn’t want to leave until they absolutely had to.

For the first time in history, VMI started holding online classes by the end of Spring Furlough. Leading the charge was Brig. Gen. Bob Moreschi, dean of faculty, and the entire faculty and staff at VMI.

The toilet paper shortage engendered by the coronavirus pandemic provided one VMI economics professor with a real-world example of a supply chain issue that’s affected nearly every American.

It may feel strange job or internship searching during this “coronavirus economy," however the VMI Office of Career Services has some ideas for a productive summer.

This will be the longest the Corps has been away from Lexington since the Civil War, according to Col. Keith Gibson, director of VMI Museums. Gibson recalled VMI's history with epidemics starting with typhoid fever in 1845

For the third year in a row, the Corps Physical Training Facility serves as the site for the Southern Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships Feb. 29-Mar. 1 in Lexington.

When Col. Howard Sanborn received the notice in the spring that he’d been selected for a Fulbright award allowing him to teach in Hong Kong for the fall 2019 semester, he knew that rumblings of civil unrest were beginning, but that didn't stop him.

This academic year, construction equipment and noise seem to be everywhere on post, as renovations continue to both Preston Library and Scott Shipp Hall. Many of those working on these projects, of course, were unacquainted with VMI before their work brought them here.

Lt. Col. Ammad Sheikh, who’s now in his second year as director of career services, has a different goal: helping all cadets develop a life plan that will sustain them not only economically but mentally and emotionally throughout their working life.

Grace McDonald ’21 and Kirk Ring ’21 are making weekly trips to Rockbridge County High School, where they assist Annie Knepper, chair of the RCHS English department, with marketing, publicity, and tutoring support at the school’s fledgling writing center. Their work at RCHS fulfills the fieldwork re

This summer, Maxwell Gallahan ’20 hasn’t just been studying history. He’s been helping to create a historical record. Gallahan, a history major, has been working on a project, “African-American Vietnam War Veterans and the Civil Rights Movement.”

What happens when a history professor meets an electrical engineer? At most schools, the answer might very well be “nothing.” But at VMI, the answer is a successful collaboration that’s been going on for over a decade and has now resulted in the publication of four scholarly articles.

It’s not unusual for a highly motivated cadet to have a passion for research—or for a cadet to be willing to travel to do that research. But a passion so strong that it involves 44 hours on an airplane? Now that’s unusual.

A soon-to-be-signed memorandum of understanding between VMI and Ashesi University in Berekuso, Ghana, will allow a variety of collaborative projects to flourish between the two schools.

In late November, three cadets and a faculty member took advantage of an unusual opportunity: an all-expenses-paid trip to Saudi Arabia.

Founded in 1995, the Tournées Film Festival has a goal of bringing French cinema to American audiences—and this November, for the first time ever, the festival came to VMI, with six films being shown from Nov. 7-16.

In early December, Aaron Causey ’20 quietly racked up a remarkable achievement: becoming the first cadet majoring in computer science at VMI to present his research at an international conference.

“Chemistry can answer a lot of questions.” So says Maj. Kevin Braun, who was still in college when he discovered that a career in chemistry could allow him to deepen his interests in archaeology, anthropology, and forensics.

For over three decades, the College Orientation Workshop (COW), a program meant to encourage high school-age minority males to attend college, has been held on the VMI post each summer. The program is led by Gene Williams ’74, the first African-American to serve on the VMI BOV.

The Anatomage Table, which is meant for the study of the human body and virtual dissection, is “kind of like a giant iPad,” explained Darren Ostrander ’20, one of the first cadets to use the table. Ostrander, along with five other cadets, is enrolled in PE 274 class, human anatomy.