Record Number New Cadets Arrive to VMI
If the residents of Rockbridge County felt a seismic shift Saturday, Aug. 15, it was almost certainly due to the arrival of the largest class of new cadets ever to matriculate at Virginia Military Institute. This historic milestone marks the beginning of the 187th year of the Institute. Since 1839, VMI has produced educated and honorable citizen-leaders, with a global reputation for academic excellence.
Throughout the morning, barracks rocked with families clamoring to move their students into their rooms and eagerly meeting their roommates. In Cocke Hall, an informational fair was held for rats and their families to meet representatives from local churches, banks, restaurants, and other community organizations. VMI clubs and agencies were present, including the chaplain’s office, VMI Police, and auxiliary services. In Cameron Hall, the rats were measured for their uniforms and issued athletic wear. In the Corps Physical Training Facility, they completed admission paperwork, met and talked with department faculty members, and as their last act as an ordinary teenager, signed the Matriculation Book, adding their names to the long list of all who came before them in pledging to “no ordinary college, no ordinary life.”
In the afternoon, the chaplain’s prayer, an optional non-denominational prayer session for matriculants and their families, was held in Memorial Hall. It was followed by the superintendent’s welcome in Cameron Hall.
It was the first matriculation for Lt. Gen. David Furness ’87 as superintendent. After welcoming the assembly, Furness provided a numeric breakdown of the matriculants. “Five hundred and thirty-two cadets from 36 states and 9 countries comprise the Rat Mass of 2027+3. Three hundred and six are from the Commonwealth of Virginia and 226 from out of state. The 84 women who matriculated today comprise the third largest class of women since VMI became a co-educational institution nearly 30 years ago. One hundred forty-six matriculants are recruited NCAA Division I athletes. Two hundred fifty-three are majoring in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields and 279 in economics and business or the humanities. The average grade point average is 3.61 and 69 are on an academic or ROTC scholarship.”
Furness told the new cadets they should be proud of their accomplishments. “Your appointment represents a great deal of hard work over the past four years. You would not be here today if we didn’t think you had what it takes to succeed as a VMI cadet. Your decision to choose a college path far less traveled speaks volumes about your character, as well as your goals, dreams, and aspirations.” He shared with them his own struggles of being a VMI rat 43 years earlier in order to reassure them when they too have doubts about continuing on the Rat Line.
He explained why their class year will be referred to as 2027+3 and not as 2030 as other colleges. “At VMI, this designation is withheld from the entering class until it has collectively met the challenges of our historic Rat Line and has been formally recognized by the upper three classes. Only then—and this will take place on a date to be determined in the first few months of 2027—will you truly enter the Corps of Cadets as a VMI class.”
He affirmed that the process of transforming rats into cadets has been a hallmark of the VMI experience, and asked friends and family members to maintain their encouragement along the journey. “It will test them, cause them to grow and mature, develop self-control and time management skills they didn’t know they had, and ultimately, strengthen their character while developing their minds.” But with the trials, he promised, lifelong bonds will develop. “The brother rat spirit will spread over the entire class, and individuals will depend on others for comradery, help, encouragement, fortitude, and guidance. Class unity will grow.”
He closed by disclosing the future possibilities that await the rats.
“Four years from now, you will be fully prepared intellectually, physically, and in moral character to pursue whatever personal and professional goals and dreams you have set for yourself. You will have graduated and statistically 98% of you will be starting your professional lives immediately. Many of you will go on to distinguish yourselves in military or federal service; in business and private industry; as well as in medicine, law, academia, sports, and numerous other professions both here and abroad. And as far reaching as it might sound, it is possible that there is another chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff among you, a future Gen. George C. Marshall, VMI Class of 1901; or Gen. Dan ‘Razin’ Caine ’90.”
Col. Lawrence Havird ’90, commandant, also addressed the rats. He told them he looks forward to watching them grow and develop as citizen-soldiers, and that military discipline and commitment are still expected and demanded at VMI.
“The word military is in our name, and we embrace all the virtues associated with military service. Additionally, you must still earn any privilege or reward you receive at VMI. We remain unapologetic for the rigorous tests and sacrifices you will make on your path towards earning your VMI degree. This place is special, and its output unquestionably sets our graduates apart from those who choose an easier path.”
He told the rats that VMI will never quit on them in their journey, and he requested that they commit to never quit on themselves.
“Give your best effort in everything you tackle at VMI, whether in the classroom, on the drill field, on the athletic fields, or within barracks. During this journey, you will need to surrender your individuality in favor of teamwork.”
He advised them to give their best effort every day.
“Listen to and apply the feedback you are given. Be better tomorrow than you were today. Always look forward and never dwell on the past, and flush whatever failure you encounter while embracing the next challenge ahead.”
With cheers, applause, warm embraces, congratulatory pats on backs, and a few tears, the rats bid their families goodbye, and formed up with their companies. They then held up their right hands and with one voice resoundingly took their oath. Cameron Hall shook as Regimental Commander Kimlong Nguyen ’27 led the rats out to Main Street, marched them up Letcher Avenue, through Marshall Arch, and into New Barracks where they fell into formation.
The arch gates were closed and locked, physically and symbolically separating the matriculants from the world they left behind in order to begin a new life chapter. As the rats stood at attention on both sides of the barracks courtyard, their cadre — a group of cadets holding rank in each company, and chosen based on performance and ability to serve as instructors for the Rat Mass — slowly marched between them to the haunting beat of a bass drum, and quickly introduced them to the tests and trials of the Rat Line. Commands were shouted as the rats scrambled in various directions to obey their first orders. Some ran to the trunk room to store their luggage, some clambered to their stoop to be introduced to their company cadre, and some scurried to the barbershop to get their VMI signature rat haircut.
Leo Goyette, a matriculant from Arlington, had been growing his hair in anticipation of his haircut. His parents had informed him that he could donate his hair to an organization that makes wigs for children suffering from hair loss. “I was happy when I learned that, because I didn’t want all my hair to go to waste. Helping a child have a sense of normalcy and giving them joy felt like the good and Christian thing to do,” he said.
A set of fraternal triplets from Greer, South Carolina, followed the journey of their older brother, Nicholas Rozsa ’24, in coming to VMI. Matthew, Daniel, and Olivia Rozsa joined the Rat Mass together. According to Matthew, none of them wanted to go to a normal college. They were meant to do something more. “Even though we are choosing to follow different paths at VMI, it’s still nice to know they’re here with me.”
Daniel agrees. “I was drawn to VMI because it doesn’t tolerate mediocrity. The Rat Line will be challenging. I’m not sure we’ll see each other a lot, but knowing that my brother and sister are there, trying to survive like I am, makes it bearable.”
Olivia believes she and her brothers may have an advantage going into the Rat Line together. “But we will be separated and at square one like everyone else. It is comforting to know, however, that somewhere they will be enduring the same things as me.”
Their parents, Miklos and Tracy, are extremely proud to have each of their children independently choose the disciplined and structured path of VMI. “They’ve accepted the ‘Don’t Do Ordinary’ challenge, and we are looking forward to seeing how much they grow as a result,” Tracy shared.
A set of identical twin brothers, Emmanuel and Gabriel Lamour from Chesapeake, Virginia, also signed the Matriculation Book. Coming from a military family, the brothers embrace the demands of VMI. “I get to challenge myself physically and intellectually. I really love that, because I have never been challenged like this anywhere else,” said Emmanuel.
The matriculation process continues throughout the week with the cadre leading the new arrivals in military drills and physical training, culminating with the Rat Crucible Sunday, Aug. 23. The Rat Mass will officially become the Class of 2030 in the spring semester, after Breakout.
Remaining members of the Old Corps return Friday, Aug. 21, and classes begin Tuesday, Aug. 25. Details about events at VMI, including parades, guest speakers, and athletic competitions for the upcoming semester can be found at vmi.edu.
