Virginia Military Institute

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.

April 1, 2026—Non-commissioning cadets participated in community service activities in the Lexington area, including the Project Horizon timber frame build and gravestone cleaning in Oak Grove Cemetery, along with projects at the SPCA, Lime Kiln Theater, and Woods Creek Montessori. Special Olympics hosted here on post where cadets supported the registration and events.—VMI Photos by Kelly Nye, H. Lockwood McLaughlin, and Jake Falcone '27.

April 1, 2026—This week cadets participated in field training exercises (FTX). Commissioning-track cadets spent time on and off post. Army ROTC spent the time training at the Goshen Boy Scout Camp, while Naval ROTC Marines stayed at Sadler Farm in Rockbridge County for training. Air Force ROTC invited other schools to join them in utilizing VMI’s Corps Physical Training Facility. Navy ROTC cadets trained at Smith Mountain Lake and Norfolk, while the Coast Guard AUP traveled to Portsmouth for training.—VMI Photos by H. Lockwood McLaughlin and Lexie West.

March 26, 2026—The 36th annual Environment Virginia Symposium took place at various locations across post this week with attendees from state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, higher education, and the private sector. The three-day event included a talk from David Bulova, Virginia secretary of natural and historic resources. And the 2026 Erchul Environmental Leadership Award was presented to Becky Gwynn, executive deputy director of Department of Wildlife Resources.—VMI Photos by H. Lockwood McLaughlin and Kelly Nye.

March 6, 2026—Cadets gathered in Memorial Hall March 3 as the 1st Class rank announcements were made for the next academic year. The cadet captains for the 2026-27 academic year are Kimlong Nguyen, regimental commander; River Smith, regimental executive officer; Gabriel DuPlessis, chief of staff; Abduhu Chauhdury, 1st Battalion commander; Samuel Castle, 1st Battalion executive officer; Caleb Chandler, 2nd Battalion commander; Zachary Denton, 2nd Battalion executive officer; Katelyn Redlinger, 3rd Battalion commander; Alejandra Knoedler, 3rd Battalion executive officer; Jonah Sporleder, S1 captain; Aleck Tiller, S2 captain; Colin Tortorelli, S3 captain; Gianna DeCicco, S4 captain; Ronnie Thompson, S5 captain; Jesse Vaughn, S6 captain; Laura Canaday, S7 captain; Margaret Townsend, S8 captain; Paige Becker, S9 captain; Cameron Jones, Alpha Company commander; Aiden Psczulkoski, Bravo Company commander; Jacob DeMarco, Charlie Company commander; Connor Roche, Delta Company commander; Trygve Bloom, Echo Company commander; Daniel Duke, Foxtrot Company commander; Nathan Brinker, Golf Company commander; Brentton Fentress, Hotel Company commander; Lucas Cosby, India Company commander; and Jackson McDonald, Band Company commander.—VMI Photos by H. Lockwood McLaughlin.

March 4, 2026—This morning, 4th Class cadets honored Jonathan M. Daniels ’61, an alumnus and clergy member who was an active participant in the civil rights movement. The commandant and cadet leadership placed a wreath in the Daniels Courtyard following a prayer by Col. John Casper '04, Institute chaplain. In 1965, Daniels was arrested for participating in a voter rights demonstration in Alabama. Shortly after release from jail, Daniels was killed protecting Ruby Sales, a Black teenager, as she and a friend attempted to buy a soda. When he heard of the tragedy, Martin Luther King Jr. said, “One of the most heroic Christian deeds of which I have heard in my entire ministry was performed by Jonathan Daniels.”—VMI Photos by Kelly Nye.

Jan. 28, 2026—The Rat Line ended on Saturday morning after hours of strenuous activity culminating in a crawl across the Parade Ground. The new members of the Class of 2029 later celebrated with a dinner and their first Old Yell.—VMI Photos by H. Lockwood McLaughlin, Kelly Nye, and Jake Falcone '27.

Jan. 20, 2026—Rats and their dykes—1st class mentors—marched 20 miles on Sunday from post onto the Chessie Nature Trail and back.—VMI Photos by H. Lockwood McLaughlin.

Jan. 19, 2026—The Corps of Cadets marched in the inaugural parade of Gov. Abigail Spanberger, Virginia’s 75th governor, Saturday in Richmond. Cadets also participated as ushers during the ceremony then formed a cordon for the governor to walk through after the parade. Moe marched in the parade with other mascots from Virginia state universities and colleges.—VMI Photos by Kelly Nye and H. Lockwood McLaughlin.

Dec. 18, 2025—Family and friends gathered to honor 29 graduates during the commencement ceremony this morning. Lt. Gen. David Furness '87, superintendent, introduced the keynote speaker, Lt. Gen. William J. Bowers ’90, deputy commandant, Manpower and Reserve Affairs. Bowers addressed the graduates with commanding enthusiasm and infectious energy. He cited one of VMI’s founders, Col. J.T.L. Preston, and his belief that the true value of a college was best determined by the character of its students and the performance of its graduates.—VMI Photos by Kelly Nye.

Dec. 18, 2025—The December Commissioning Ceremony was held in Memorial Hall, Wednesday, Dec. 17, in which 17 Army, 2 Navy, and 1 Marine commissioned as second lieutenants and ensigns. Offering remarks and administering the oath of office was Col. Tim Price '04, a student at the Army War College.—VMI Photos by H. Lockwood McLaughlin.

Nov. 24, 2025—Members of the Class of 2027 received their rings in a ceremony Friday, Nov. 21 with Maj. Gen. Paul Brier '81 addressing the 2nd Class in Cameron Hall. Later that evening, the cadets put on their rings for the first time while passing through a ring-shaped archway during the Ring Figure ball in Cocke Hall. On Thursday night, the cadets attended a class supper after receiving their combat rings and named Sgt. 1st Class Larry Aviles an honorary brother rat.—VMI Photos by H. Lockwood McLaughlin.

Nov. 10, 2025—VMI celebrated 186 years of traditions, disciplined training, and founding principles with a parade and 15-gun salute on Friday. Gene Williams '74 was presented with the Distinguished Service Award for his tireless dedication to the College Orientation Workshop, Inc. which he founded 40 years ago. He then joined Lt. Gen. David Furness '87 to take review of the parade.—VMI Photos by H. Lockwood McLaughlin and Kelly Nye.

Nov. 10, 2025—Rat Olympics for the Class of 2026 plus 3 kicked off Founders Day activities on Friday in the Corps Physical Training Facility. The competition is the culmination of the 10-week physical education program, Rat Challenge. Winning companies will be announced on Wednesday evening during the Rat Olympics dinner.—VMI Photos by H. Lockwood McLaughlin and Kelly Nye.