Devin Auzenne ’26 accepts the VMI flag from Maj. Gen Cedric T. Wins ’85, ceremoniously transferring leadership of the Corps to him. –VMI Photo by H. Lockwood McLaughlin.

Meet the 186th Regimental Leadership of VMI

August 12, 2025

As the start of a new academic year and Matriculation draw nearer, meet the Class of 2026 leadership announced this past spring.

Lt. Gen David J. Furness

Furness Named VMI’s 16th Superintendent

August 15, 2025

The Virginia Military Institute Board of Visitors appointed retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. David Furness ’87 as the Institute’s 16th superintendent, the chief executive officer of the Institute. 

VMI freshmen, known as rats, follow cadet command and march from Cameron Hall to Barracks to officially begin months of training known as the Rat Line.

VMI Welcomes New Class of Rats: Matriculants Embrace Hardships Over Comfort

August 16, 2025

Matriculation Day was held Saturday, Aug. 16, beginning the Rat Line for the new academic year. Even the weather—which had been unpredictable throughout the week—predictably offered a humid day of oppressive temperatures. This year marks the 186th year of the Institute.

Carly Fiorina, businesswoman and politician, will address the Corps of Cadets and faculty at the academic convocation at Virginia Military Institute.

Former Presidential Candidate to Speak at VMI Convocation

August 20, 2025

Carly Fiorina, businesswoman and politician, will address the Corps of Cadets and faculty at the academic convocation at Virginia Military Institute on Wednesday, Sept. 3, at 10:30 a.m. in Cameron Hall on Main Street. The event is free and open to the public.

The VMI Community Theatre will hold auditions for its fall show, “Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency,” Monday, Sept. 8; Tuesday, Sept. 9; Wednesday, Sept. 10; and Thursday, Sept. 11 at 7:45 p.m. in Gillis Theater.

VMI Community Theatre to Hold Auditions

August 25, 2025

The VMI Community Theatre will hold auditions for its fall show, “Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency,” Monday, Sept. 8; Tuesday, Sept. 9; Wednesday, Sept. 10; and Thursday, Sept. 11 at 7:45 p.m. in Gillis Theater.

Col. Valentina Dimitrova-Grajzl speaks during an intercollegiate debate on immigration in late September.

VMI Invites Community to Discuss Economic & Community Development

August 28, 2025

Virginia Military Institute’s Civil Discourse Initiative and its local college partners invite the greater Lexington, Buena Vista, and Rockbridge County community to participate in a facilitated conversation on economic and community development Sept. 9 at 6:30 p.m. in VMI’s Marshall Hall.

Mayling Simpson, Ph.D., author of “Lives Guided by Honor: How VMI Shaped the Class of 1968.”

VMI Museum to Host Book Signing

September 1, 2025

The Virginia Military Institute Museum will host a talk and book signing by Mayling Simpson, Ph.D., author of “Lives Guided by Honor: How VMI Shaped the Class of 1968,” on Friday, Sept. 12, at 3:15 p.m.

Rockbridge Area Master Gardeners demonstrate how to prepare soil for successful planting at the Jackson House Museum.

Jackson House Museum Offers Kitchen Garden Workshop

September 2, 2025

Interested in growing fruits and vegetables in your backyard or on your windowsill? The Jackson House Museum will conduct a hands-on Kitchen Garden Workshop Sunday, Sept. 14 at 2 p.m. led by Rockbridge Area Master Gardeners. 

Virginia Military Institute welcomes guest speaker, retired U.S. Army Special Forces Master Sgt. Christopher C. Spence—part of the first wave of American forces on the ground in Afghanistan following the 9/11 terrorist attacks 24 years ago.

Former Special Forces Horse Soldier to Speak at VMI

September 3, 2025

Virginia Military Institute welcomes guest speaker, retired U.S. Army Special Forces Master Sgt. Christopher C. Spence — part of the first wave of American forces on the ground in Afghanistan following the 9/11 terrorist attacks 24 years ago.

Virginia Military Institute will commemorate Constitution Day Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 8 p.m. in Marshall Hall’s Gillis Theater on post. Guest speaker will be Dr. Andrew J. O’Shaughnessy, author of several books.

VMI Commemorates Constitution Day

September 4, 2025

Virginia Military Institute will commemorate Constitution Day Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 8 p.m. in Marshall Hall’s Gillis Theater on post. Guest speaker will be Dr. Andrew J. O’Shaughnessy, author of several books.

As the safety and security enhancements for the VMI community continue, please be advised that effective immediately, a VMI issued ID card is now required for entry to Cameron Hall.

VMI Hosts VA250 Event

September 5, 2025

Virginia Military Institute will host a Virginia 250 Commission (VA250) Constitution Day event, “To Support & Defend,” honoring the 250th anniversaries of the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, and Navy on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 11 a.m. in Cameron Hall on Main Street.

Guest speaker Carly Fiorina stands in front of VMI cadets during her speech.

Fiorina Offers Convocation Speech at VMI, Speaks of American Ideals

September 5, 2025

Carly Fiorina, businesswoman and politician, addressed the entire Corps of Cadets, members of the academic board, faculty, staff and guests as VMI opened its 186th academic year with a convocation ceremony Sept. 3 in Cameron Hall.

Maj. Henry A. Wise III ’05, assistant professor in the Department of English, Rhetoric, and Humanistic Studies.

Wise Earns Awards for Novel

September 9, 2025

“Holy City,” a novel written by Maj. Henry A. Wise III ’05, assistant professor in the Department of English, Rhetoric, and Humanistic Studies (ERHS) at Virginia Military Institute, was recently published in France

Charles McLaughlin ’26 discusses his research to an academic peer at the American Chemical Society’s fall conference at the Washington Convention Center in August.

VMI Chemistry Professor and Cadet Present Research in D.C.

September 10, 2025

Lt. Col. Kevin Braun, associate professor in the Department of at Virginia Military Institute, and 1st Class cadet Charles McLaughlin ’26 presented their research at the American Chemical Society’s (ACS) fall conference held at the Washington Convention Center in D.C. in August.

A cadet carries an American flag recovered from Ground Zero, during the 9/11 stair climb at VMI Thursday. –VMI Photo by H. Lockwood McLaughlin.

VMI Cadets Continue Tradition of 9/11 Stair Climb

September 12, 2025

Nearly 500 cadets honored those who perished in the 9/11 terrorist attacks by ascending and descending the steps in barracks 37 times, replicating the 110 stories the first responders at the World Trade Center climbed during the rescue attempt that fateful day in 2001.

Col. Barry Cobb speaks to cadets in his classroom at VMI.

VMI Econ & Business Class Welcomes High School DECA Winners

September 15, 2025

Cadets enrolled in the economics and business analytics class taught by Col. Barry Cobb, professor in the Department of Economics and Business, heard an award winning presentation by two juniors from Roanoke County’s Hidden Valley High School (HVHS).

Master Sgt. Christopher C. Spence discusses his time in Afghanistan following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in Gillis Theater Sept. 10.

Former Special Forces Horse Soldier Speaks at VMI

September 16, 2025

U.S. Army Special Forces Master Sgt. Christopher C. Spence—part of the first wave of American forces on the ground in Afghanistan following the 9/11 terrorist attacks 24 years ago—spoke at Virginia Military Institute Sept. 10 as the first speaker of the Center for Leadership and Ethics’ (CLE) 2025-2

Flyer graphic for Steamboat Debate between Daniel Farbman and Jonathan Turley.

Turley and Farbman Debate Constitutional Crisis at VMI: Discourse Part of Steamboat Institute

September 16, 2025

VMI's Center for Leadership and Ethics (CLE) will host a Steamboat Institute Campus Liberty Tour Debate, Thursday, Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. in Gillis Theater, Marshall Hall. The debate resolution is: Be it resolved; the U.S. is experiencing a constitutional crisis.

Museum interpreter Tamara Teaff shares the tale of “The Conceited Apple Blossom” with children on Apple Day.

Apple Day Returns to the Jackson House Museum

September 18, 2025

Travel back to 1850s Lexington during the Jackson House Museum’s Apple Day, Saturday, Sept. 27, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For over 40 years, this much-loved event has welcomed families, friends, and history lovers for a day filled with interactive activities, traditional crafts, and old-fashioned fun

Gen. George Washington, portrayed by Ron Carnegie, concludes the VA250 Constitution Day event by leading the cadets in three cheers.

VA250 Constitution Day Event Held at VMI

September 19, 2025

Virginia Military Institute hosted a Virginia 250 Commission (VA250) Constitution Day event, “To Support & Defend,” honoring the 250th anniversaries of the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, and Navy, Sept. 17 in Cameron Hall.

VMI retained its high placing among the nation’s best colleges, according to the 2025 Best Colleges rankings released Sept. 24 by U.S. News and World Report

VMI Maintains Strong Rankings in U.S. News Best Colleges List

September 23, 2025

VMI maintained its reputation as one of the nation’s best colleges, according to the 2026 Best Colleges rankings released Sept. 23 by U.S. News and World Report.