LEXINGTON, Va., Jan. 31, 2026—Virginia Military Institute was recently honored by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), an institutional accreditor for quality assurance in higher education, representing 780 institutions. It presented VMI a Torch Award, a new recognition that celebrates member institutions for their leadership in one of three categories: affordability, student success, and post-college outcomes. VMI was recognized for exceptional post-college outcomes, the only Level II institution—one whose highest degree offered is a bachelor’s degree—to receive the award in that category. Dr. Stephen Pruitt, SACSCOC president, formally announced the award at the association’s annual conference in December. 

The Torch Awards elevate the work of institutions that demonstrate exceptional commitment to access, quality, accountability, and measurable improvement, reflecting SACSCOC’s mission to highlight and support student-centered excellence across the region. The recipients were selected based on their strength across multiple indicators in each award category, rather than overall ranking. 

VMI was granted the award based, in part, on its strong postgraduate successes. According to recent data, 97% of VMI graduates are employed or are in graduate/professional schools within five months of graduation. Brig. Gen. Robert W. Moreschi, dean of the faculty and deputy superintendent for academics at VMI, stated approximately 54% of the Institute’s recent graduates were commissioned into the military while 30% accepted full-time positions with well-known public and private sector employers. “Furthermore, 10% were accepted in graduate and professional institutions with many of these attending academic programs ranked in the top 75 by U.S. News & World Report.”

Col. Andrew Luna, director in the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and SACSCOC liaison for VMI, strongly believes the Torch Award is the culmination of VMI’s ongoing commitment of honor and excellence to every cadet it serves. “While we are currently undergoing our 10-year reaffirmation of our accreditation with SACSCOC, we have actually been accredited by them since 1926. For one hundred years, VMI has met the rigid accreditation standards to prepare our cadets for strong leadership roles, and this new award shows VMI is clearly doing its job.” 

Marianne Hause
Communications & Marketing
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE