#vmi26

Jan. 30, 2023—The Rat Mass of 2023 plus three carried more than 730 school supplies to Harrington Waddell Elementary School and Central Elementary School on Saturday morning as part of their Rat Unity event. The group collected the supplies over a two-month period that included their winter furlough. Local administrators were on hand to receive the supplies.—VMI Photos by Andrew Partridge ’24.

Nov. 14, 2022—Rat Olympics for the Class of 2023 plus 3 kicked off Founders Day Friday morning in the Corps Physical Training Facility. The competition is the culmination of the 10-week physical education program, Rat Challenge. The company that works the hardest and displays the best attitude will win the Stockwell Cup, named for the late Col. Bill Stockwell.—VMI Photos by H. Lockwood McLaughlin.

May 17, 2026—Nearly 260 cadets graduated today in Cameron Hall. Lukas Maurer '26 gave the valedictorian address, and the class president, Maximus Ankrah '26, introduced the guest speaker, Gov. Abigail Spanberger. The first woman elected as governor of the commonwealth encouraged cadets by saying, “You’re the products of an academic institution that has been preparing leaders for more than 180 years. I have every confidence that you will leave Lexington, not just ready to adapt to the world as you find it, but ready to use your talents to do your part to make it better.” —VMI Photos by H. Lockwood McLaughlin.

May 16, 2026—Devin Auzenne '26 ceremoniously hands over leadership of the Corps of Cadets to Kimlong Nguyen '27 and the 187th regiment of cadet leaders during the change of command parade this morning. The class then joined together for an Old Yell in barracks.—VMI Photos by H. Lockwood McLaughlin and Kelly Nye.

May 16, 2026—Cadets commissioned into the U.S. armed forces in a joint ceremony held in Cameron Hall yesterday. Cadets joined the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard. The commissioning officer was Gen. Christopher J. Mahoney, 13th vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Afterward, cadets received their ranks and first salutes.—VMI Photos by H. Lockwood McLaughlin, Kelly Nye, and Marianne Hause.

May 16, 2026—The Corps of Cadets marched in the Memorial Parade yesterday morning. Before the parade, several cadets read the names of the 591 cadets and alumni who died on the field of honor, or from their wounds, defending our country, beginning with the Mexican-American War through the Global War on Terrorism. Wreathes were laid in memory of the dead, one at the statue of “Virginia Mourning Her Dead,” and one at each of the barracks’ arches. A three-volley salute was fired and renditions of “Taps” and “Amazing Grace” were played before the Corps marched down Letcher Avenue.—VMI Photos by Kelly Nye and H. Lockwood McLaughlin.

Aug. 15, 2025—Members of cadre returned to post earlier this week to prepare for the incoming rats who arrive on Matriculation Day, Aug. 16. Training included practice parades, uniform inspections, and briefs from the acting superintendent and commandant.—VMI Photos by Kelly Nye and H. Lockwood McLaughlin.

March 6, 2025—Cadets gathered in Memorial Hall last night as the 1st Class rank announcements were made for the next academic year. The cadet captains for the 2025-26 academic year are Devin Auzenne, regimental commander; Mark Stann, regimental executive officer; Heaton Lawrence, chief of staff; Samantha Waters, 1st Battalion commander; Kristopher Ruth, 1st Battalion executive officer; Sarah Woosley, 2nd Battalion commander; Taylor Hill, 2nd Battalion executive officer; Anastasia Herrell, 3rd Battalion commander; Dylan Apo, 3rd Battalion executive officer; Avan Johnson, S1 captain; Nolan Savard, S2 captain; Michael Ferrara, S3 captain; Ella Davenport, S4 captain; Andrew Flores, S5 captain; Amber Strapponi, S6 captain; Anna Grace Adams, S7 captain; John McWilliams, S8 captain; Cadee Hegarty, S9 captain; Seth Patterson, Alpha Company commander; Michael Hatfield, Bravo Company commander; Cadlee Jarvis, Charlie Company commander; Emma Thompson, Delta Company commander; Jonah Ibanez, Echo Company commander; Matthew Kleinschuster, Foxtrot Company commander; Kern Aughinbaugh, Golf Company commander; Sadie Smith, Hotel Company commander; Grant Rose, India Company commander; and Julia Ward, Band Company commander.—VMI Photos by H. Lockwood McLaughlin.