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THE INSTVIOTULUTEM ER EXPXOX,R NTU, MDEBCEERM 7B, EARP R15IL, /2M0A0Y3,, 2P0A0G3E 1 Volume XXXI, Number 4 December 15, 2003 TAPS Captain John Robert Teal, United States Army Medical Service Corps, VMI Class of 1994, was killed on Oct. 23, 2003, just north of Baghdad, Iraq. The vehicle in which Captain Teal was riding was destroyed by an improvised explo-sive device detonated by an unknown terrorist in an ambush. Captain Teal was killed instantly. Captain Teal was a 1990 gradu-ate of Benedictine High School in Richmond, Virginia, and was graduated from VMI in May 1994 with a BA degree in history, at which time he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army. An extremely well-liked and colorful member of the Class of 1994, Teal served on the staff of The Cadet, and was an active member of the Army National Guard during his cadetship. Teal entered VMI from Mechanicsville, Virginia, but called Montpe-lier, Virginia, home at the time of his death. He is survived by his parents and a married sister. Funeral services were held at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church in Montpelier on Nov. 3, with inter-ment following at Arlington National Cemetery. Both Governor Mark R. Warner and former Secretary of the Army John O. Marsh paid tribute to Cap-tain Teal’s sacrifice in remarks made at the Oct. 28-30 Governor’s Homeland Security Conference, citing Captain Teal as a prime ex-ample of selfless sacrificial service to others. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in their son’s memory to The Class of 1994 John R. Teal Memorial Scholarship Fund, to be set up at the VMI Foundation, Incorporated. Lieutenant Joshua Charles Hurley, United States Army Corps of Engineers, VMI Class of 2001, was killed on Nov. 1, 2003, in Iraq. He was serving with the 326th Engineer Battalion, 101st Airborne Divi-sion, west of Baghdad. According to official reports, the vehicle in which Lieutenant Hurley was riding was destroyed by an improvised explosive Captain John Robert Teal, VMI Class of 1994 and Lieutenant Joshua Charles Hurley, VMI Class of 2001 Continued on page 11 General Peay Shares His Vision VMI Superintendent General J. H. Binford Peay III, ’62 shared his vision for VMI, and his four areas of focus, with a capacity crowd at the Institute Society Din-ner in November. On the eve of the Institute’s 164th anniversary, the Superinten-dent said he is taking a long-range approach while looking ahead to VMI’s bicentennial. “Forward we will go on our journey to the year 2039 and be-yond,” he said. “As our Founders knew so well, they were not build-ing for the moment, they were building for the future. And so are we.” Peay said VMI should continue to set its sights on forming potential leaders for all walks of life, holding true to the Institute’s historic mis-sion inscribed on the Parapet. “This is our primary commit-ment: the development of honorable, informed and energetic young men and women,” he said. “That will be our focus.” The Superintendent said in order to accomplish the goals, he will con-centrate on four focus areas, the first of which is the physical and cul-tural environment. This area includes, among other things, grow-ing the size of the Corps to 1,500 cadets, delivering an exciting con-struction program, and creating a Post that resonates with history. The second area Peay stressed was that of academics characterized by small class sections and exceptional instructors. “This includes some ‘rebalancing’ and/or growth in engineering and Continued on page 2 John Robert Teal ’94 Joshua Charles Hurley ’01 PAGE 2, THE INSTITUTE REPORT, DECEMBER 15, 2003 The Institute Report Office of Communications and Marketing – Col. Ken White, Director Editor .................................................................... Burton Floyd Contributing writers/photographers: ..................... Chris Clark; Burton Floyd; Kevin Remington; Scott Belliveau ’83; Lt. Col. Stewart MacInnis; CDR Timothy McElhannon, USN; Maj. John Wranek, USA ’85, Andy Krauss Printing ................................................................. The News-Gazette, Lexington, Va. The Institute Report is published by the VMI Office of Communications and Marketing. Eight issues are printed during the academic year. Inquiries, suggestions, news items, or address changes should be directed to Editor, The Institute Report, VMI Communications and Marketing, Lexington, Virginia 24450-0304. Current and past issues are available on the world wide web at: http://new.vmi.edu/show.asp?durki=458 Telephone 540-464-7207 Fax 540-464-7443 E-Mail:vmireport@vmi.edu England’s Prince Andrew visited the birthplace of George C. Marshall, Class of 1901, in October to commemorate the 50th anniversary of General Marshall’s receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. A VMI color guard took part in the event in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. Nominations for VMI Teaching and Service Awards Nominations for recognizing members of the VMI faculty and staff for outstanding teaching and for exemplary service to the Institute are being accepted from now until March 5, 2004. Nomination information and forms are available at http://academics.vmi.edu/ enviro/awards.doc or may be requested by contacting Colonel Wane Schneiter, Awards Committee Chairman, Civil & Environmental En-gineering Department, VMI, Lexington, Virginia 24450. sciences to offset recent declines and to meet 21st century requirements,” he said. General Peay’s third focus area is a leader-focused approach to ath-letics at the Institute where every cadet is an athlete and every athlete is a cadet. “I see a more structured, resourced intramural program, growth in club sports, and expanded women’s programs,” he said. “This will enable us to build leaders and promote health and fitness.” The Superintendent’s fourth area of focus deals with the military aspect of the VMI experience. “A massive increase in commissioning, mostly Guard and Reserve, and a common four-year ROTC program for all whether a cadet takes a commission or not,” he told the 500-plus people in attendance. General Peay explained the importance of these goals and how they can lead to the immediate and future success of VMI. “These four areas will require all of us to synchronize and integrate our daily actions and philosophies with the clear understanding of the wisdom of commonality of purpose,” he said. “In 2039 we will cel-ebrate our 200th anniversary, a short 36 years from tomorrow. How triumphant it will be depends on what we do here and now.” A transcript of General Peay’s Institute Society speech is available at http://www.vmi.edu/Show.asp?durki=2888. General Peay Continued from page 1 THE INSTITUTE REPORT, DECEMBER 15, 2003, PAGE 3 Foundation Fund: Progress Report Reveille: A Call to Excel Reaches $190 Million After the record setting effort of the Foundation Fund in Fiscal Year (FY) 2003, the leaders of the VMI Foundation Fund were hoping that the momentum would continue into the new fiscal year. With the re-ceipts for the first third of FY 2004 tabulated, it is appears that those hopes have been realized. As of Oct. 31, 2003, the Foundation Fund had received $287,524, an amount that exceeds what had been raised last year by more than $71,000. “The Foundation Fund is an important effort because, through it, the Institute receives the unrestricted money that support the academic and co-curricular programs that have an effect on each and every cadet in Barracks,” said James L. Adams ’71, Executive Vice President of the VMI Foundation. “While there is no telling if the Fund will surpass last year’s record setting goal of $1.85 million,” continued Dr. Adams, “we are pleased, therefore, that this fund is receiving such impressive support at this time.” The trustees of the Foundation are hopeful that alumni and friends of VMI will continue their generosity toward the Foundation Fund and that their example will inspire those alumni who have not participated in the Foundation Fund to do so immediately. Since July 1998, all of the VMI Development Agencies have been op-erating under the banner of VMI’s latest comprehensive capital campaign—Reveille: A Call to Excel. The funds raised through this effort are already at work on Post, bettering every aspect of VMI. Space allows just two examples: The Jane and John Roberts Chair in Free Enterprise, which is aiding VMI in its effort to fully accredit the Depart-ment of Economics and Business, and the Jackson-Hope Fund, which already has done so much to aid our dedicated faculty as well as to provide cadets with truly extraordinary educational opportunities through undergraduate research. As of Nov. 3, 2003, approximately 15,000 people had participated in Reveille, including about 8,000 of VMI’s more than 14,000 alumni. These alumni and friends of the Institute have given gifts and made commitments totaling more than $190 million. Reveille’s chairman, George G. Phillips, Jr. ’60 said that he is “extremely pleased” that Reveille was now $15 million past its goal of $175 million in gifts and commitments, a goal achieved one year ago this month. He also pledged that Reveille’s work would continue, al-beit not for much longer. “Thanks to the generosity of so many alumni and friends, this impor-tant effort is about to commence its last phase,” he said. “During this period in the campaign, we will focus on securing some major gifts and on creating a rebound in alumni participation in support of VMI, but in Annual Giving especially.” Phillips said the agencies will continue to pursue major gifts because there are major needs on Post that have not been met. “We want to increase alumni participation in Annual Giving because it is through its components that VMI can best raise the money that it needs to offset the continued decline in state funding,” Mr. Phillips continued. “Overall, however, we will continue this effort because we want to give General Peay’s effort to realize his ambitious vision of VMI in 2039 the best possible start.” If you are interested in Reveille’s goals and how you can help fulfill them, please visit the campaign’s webpage at www.vmi.edu. On Nov. 11, 2003, P. Wesley Fos-ter, Jr. ’56 (front) was presented with the VMI Foundation’s high-est honor, the Distinguished Service Award. Mr. Foster re-ceived the award in recognition of his many years of service to VMI and the VMI Alumni Agen-cies. VMI Foundation President Conrad M. Hall ’65 presented the Award to Mr. Foster during the Founders Day Convocation at Cameron Hall. Also pictured are (left to right): Samuel B. Witt, III ’58, president of the Board of Visitors; General J.H. Binford Peay, III ’62, Superintendent; and Colonel Leroy D. Hammond ’57, Headquarters Executive Of-ficer. PAGE 4, THE INSTITUTE REPORT, DECEMBER 15, 2003 The Honorable Harry Lee Carrico (second from right), longest serving Chief Justice of Virginia’s Supreme Court, was awarded the Harry Flood Byrd, Jr., Class of 1935 Public Service Award during ceremonies held in October at VMI. The award, es-tablished to honor the civic contributions of retired U.S. Senator Harry F. Byrd, Jr., is pre-sented to a public servant whose career best mirrors the life of Senator Byrd who was commit-ted to selflessness, integrity, patriotism and courage. Also pictured (left to right) are: Gen-eral J.H. Binford Peay, III ’62, Superintendent; Samuel B. Witt, III ’58, president of the VMI Board of Visitors; and Harry F. Byrd, Jr. ’35. Carrico Receives VMI’s Byrd Award Governor’s Homeland Security Conference VMI played host to “The Governor’s Homeland Security Conference: Virginia’s Security is the Nation’s Security,” in late October. The event brought to-gether over 300 of the nation’s best minds to discuss homeland security issues such as economic security, private partnership strategies, preparedness and response. Virginia Gov. Mark R. Warner hosted the conference along with U.S. Senator John W. Warner and U.S. Representative Bob Goodlatte. Former Secretary of the Army John O. Marsh, Jr. served as the chairman of the conference. THE INSTITUTE REPORT, DECEMBER 15, 2003, PAGE 5 The Spilman Symposium on Issues in Teaching Writing 10th Anniversary Celebration Re-Defining English 101: Ten Years Later The pursuit of excellence in the teaching of writ-ing brings professors of writing and rhetoric to VMI from dozens of two- and four-year colleges each fall, with this year’s edition marking the 10th time the Institute has hosted the one-day Spilman Sym-posium on Issues in Teaching Writing. “Conversation following the formal presentations was lively as participants explored the trends — the questions, challenges, or debates — that have characterized the discipline’s view of first-year com-position during the last decade,” said conference organizer Lieutenant Colonel Christina McDonald, VMI’s Institute Director of Writing and an associate professor of English. The symposium, held Oct. 25, drew 76 partici-pants from 29 colleges in 10 states and the District of Columbia. It returned to the theme of the inau-gural symposium, “Defining English 101: The Goals of Freshman Composition.” Presenters from that original symposium who returned to once again make presentations on the subject were Erika Lindemann, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Gary Tate, from Texas Christian University. They were joined by Brian Jackson, of the University of Arizona, and Sarah Allen, of the Uni-versity of South Carolina. Anne Ruggles Gere, of the University of Michigan, delivered the keynote address. Founded in 1993, the symposium is supported by the Robert S. Left to right: Professor Erika Lindemann (University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill); Professor Gary Tate (Texas Christian University); Professor Anne Ruggles Gere (University of Michigan); Sarah Allen (doctoral student, University of South Carolina); and Brian Jackson (doctoral student, University of Arizona). Spilman, VMI Class of 1896, and Robert S. Spilman Jr., VMI Class of 1928, Fund for Excellence in Writing. Mrs. Samuel R. Sutphin estab-lished the fund in honor of her late father and brother. Additional funding is provided by the Institute Writing Program. Cadet Dunlap Named Presidential Fellow Cadet Ian G. Dunlap ’05 has been selected as one of 65 fellows to participate in a program sponsored by the Center for the Study of the Presidency in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1965, the center is a non-profit public policy and educa-tion organization dedicated to strengthening the institution of the modern presidency through research and publication. In addition to sponsor-ing a variety of conferences, public service and research projects, the center publishes Presidential Studies Quarterly and monographs. This prestigious fellowship allows Cadet Dunlap to participate in sym-posia and meetings with other fellows from top schools across the United States as he works on a research paper on some aspect of the American presidency under the guidance of Lieutenant Colonel James J. Hentz, associate professor of international studies. He will present the results of his research at a conference in the spring. Cadet Dunlap is an international studies major from Woolwine, Va. New Post Police Officer Keith M. Haraway, former member of the Lexington Police Department, has joined VMI’s Post Police staff. Officer Haraway began his duties at VMI on Oct. 25 PAGE 6, THE INSTITUTE REPORT, DECEMBER 15, 2003 Sharpe Makes Run for Marshall, Rhodes Scholarships Kicking the pigskin was the re-lease that Cadet Matt Sharpe ’04 needed to settle his mind as he prepared for nearly simultaneous interviews for the Marshall and Rhodes scholarships. A placekicker, Sharpe bracketed the Keydets’ last game of the sea-son with interviews for the two scholarships. Getting ready for them required long nights and close management of his coursework. “You have to understand, kick-ing was my escape,” Sharpe said. “It’s like playing golf every after-noon — what could be better? And my professors were incredibly understanding. So many people were so supportive.” In the end the coveted scholarships went to other applicants. But the academic and athletic prowess that helped him to reach the state finals in the scholarship competitions, joined with the leadership he exhibits as Regimental S-5 Cadet-Captain, earned him the Three-Legged Stool Award. That award was presented at the Keydet Club Scholarship Athletes Recognition Banquet Sept. 13. The award, the Keydet Club’s highest honor for a cadet-athlete, gets its name from the term coined by VMI’s oldest living alumnus, Giles H. Miller Jr. ’24. It refers to the Institute’s whole-person educational emphasis on academics, military and lead-ership development, and athletics. The process of preparing for the intense scholarship competition was an education in itself, Sharpe said. “This forces you to really consider the person that you have become after three years of your cadetship,” Sharpe said. “I learned more about myself, and what my cadetship has meant in the two months of preparation than I have my entire cadetship. Not many cadets get the opportunity to learn about themselves like that, and for that, it was a very positive experience.” VMI’s most recent Rhodes Scholar, Michael Lokale ’03, is thriving at Oxford and wrote to Sharpe about preparing for the interview. Lokale was the recipient of the Three-Legged Stool award last year. Sharpe got some additional advice from another of the Institute’s Rhodes Scholars and the current holder of the Wachtmeister Chair in the Department of Economics and Business, Brigadier General Lee D. Badgett ’61, who joined other faculty members in mock in-terviews to prepare Sharpe for both the Marshall and the Rhodes inter-views. “Matt has very impressive aca-demic abilities,” said Brigadier General Charles F. Brower IV, deputy superintendent for academ-ics and dean of the faculty. “The competition he faced was unbeliev-able. His strong candidacy for both these scholarships has kept VMI’s reputation strong among the America’s most prestigious institutions of higher education.” A computer science major from Chesterfield, Va., Sharpe said he intends to pursue graduate studies after he graduates from VMI in May. Included on his list of graduate schools to apply to are the University of Bath and the University of London, where his proposed course of study for the Marshall would have led to double masters’ in human-com-puter interaction and systems engineering. A member of the Institute Honors Program and finalist for the 2003 Truman Scholarship, Sharpe is also pursuing minors in French, math-ematics, and writing. “I’ll look back on the whole experience positively because of how much I learned about myself,” Sharpe said. Claunch ’01 Also Tries for Rhodes First Lieutenant Erin Claunch ’01 was interviewed for a Rhodes Scholarship this fall. She was nominated by her graduate school, the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and applied as a Rhodes candidate from New Mexico, where she is currently stationed. Claunch, a physics major and among the first group of women admitted to VMI, was battalion commander in her final year here. A standout on the Institute’s track team and member of the fencing team, she was an academically distinguished graduate. Article by Sheldon Appears in Cryptologia The July 2003 issue of Cryptologia contains a fascinating bibliographical article by Colonel Rose Mary Sheldon, professor of history, entitled “The Sator Rebus: An Unsolved Cryptogram?” The article surveys scholarship on the sator square, which is, according to Colonel Sheldon, “one of the oldest, unsolved word puzzles in the world.” In a lucid preface, Colonel Sheldon explains her “intention to place this enigma before the cryptographic community not only because of its historical interest, but also to assemble the ever-growing bibliography for easy reference in the hope that a solution may lie with the mathemati-cally- minded rather than the philologists, ethnographers and pious theologians who have traditionally studied the problem.” A military historian of a growing national reputation, Colonel Sheldon continues to bring credit to VMI with her impressive range of scholar-ship, which always grows so creatively out of her teaching. Cadet Sharpe Receives the Three-Legged Stool Award from Greg Cavallaro ’84, Executive Vice President of the VMI Keydet Club. THE INSTITUTE REPORT, DECEMBER 15, 2003, PAGE 7 Cadets Make Record Number of Presentations Even before cadets departed on Christmas furlough, the number of cadets attending and making presentations at conferences this year surpassed the number to attend conferences during all last year. “This reflects one of the Undergraduate Research Initiative’s goals for the coming years; to get the word out as to the quality of the research work that our students and their faculty mentors are doing here at VMI,” said Colonel Jim Turner, director of undergraduate research. “That’s an important message for our own faculty and cadets to hear as well as for our peers in other colleges and universities.” While the number of cadets whose participation in meetings and conferences was funded by the Undergraduate Research Initiative reached 17 this semester – tying the number funded for the entire academic year last year — other cadets attended meetings using funding from depart-ments and other sources. Here’s a sampling of some of the more prominent meetings at which cadets made presentations: American Culture Association in the South Two cadets, Matt Sharpe ’04, computer science, and Geoffrey T. Parker ’06, economics and business, presented papers in a session on “Real Rhetoric” at the conference of Popular and American Culture in the South, at Jacksonville, Fla., Oct. 2-4. The cadet presentations grew out of their work in Advanced Compo-sition with Lieutenant Colonel Christina McDonald, VMI’s Institute Director of Writing and an associate professor of English, who orga-nized and also presented a paper in the session. MARCUS The largest group of cadets ever to attend the Mid-Atlantic Confer-ence on Undergraduate Research (MARCUS) during its five-year history presented results of their research at Sweet Briar College on Oct. 4. Cadets from the Biology Department presenting were Joshua Fox ’04, Matthew Park ’04, Yang-His Tsai ’05, and Heather Brown ’06. Chemistry majors presenting were Bryan Clemmons ’05, Col-leen Wall ’05, and Seth Brunner ’06. Two cadets from the Physics Department, Rob Serig ’04, and Thananart Klogcheongsan ’04, also presented. The Psychology Department was represented by Cadet Jason Brightwell ’04. Cadet David Beehler ’05 presented from the History Department. Four faculty members also attended in support of the cadets: David Allen (Physics), Captain Kristin Galloway (USAF-Psychology), Major Stan Smith (Chemistry), and Colonel Jim Turner ’65 (Chem-istry/ Biology). National Collegiate Honor Society Five cadets and one faculty member attended the National Collegiate Honor Society Meeting in Chicago Nov. 6-9, to present a session on VMI’s Honors Forum, a distinctive element of the Institute Honors Pro-gram. Cadets Maciek J. Kepka ’05 and Nathanael E. Joslyn ’04, both majors in international studies, joined cadets Matthew C. Park ’04, Andrew Cochet ’05, and Jessica L. Fulton ’06, all biology majors, in participating in the meeting. Attending with them was Colonel R. Wane Schneiter, professor of civil and environmental engineering. Regional Microbiology Meeting Four cadets majoring in biology attended the Virginia Branch meet-ing of the American Society for Microbiology at the University of Virginia Nov. 7 and 8. Cadets Mary Kathryn Osborne ’06, Heather Brown ’06, Mariah Green ’04, and Hamilton Bice ’04, presented posters during the session. Major Wade Bell, assistant professor of biology, attended in support of the cadets. SERMACS Six cadets attended the Southeastern Regional Meeting of the Ameri-can Chemical Society (SERMACS) in Atlanta Nov. 16-19. Cadets Matthew A. Durssia ’05, Ryan Clemens ’04, Leigh-Anne R. Lindenmuth ’04, Seth R. Brunner ’06, and Heather Marie Miras ’06, all chemistry majors, and Cadet Colleen M. Wall ’05, majoring in biology, attended the meeting. Attending with them was Major Daren J. Timmons, assistant pro-fessor of chemistry. Col. Richard Trandel to Retire Colonel Richard S. Trandel, a professor of me-chanical engineering and three-term holder of the Charles S. Luck, Jr., ’20 Institute Professorship in En-gineering, will retire at the end of this academic year. A 1959 graduate of VMI, Colonel Trandel has served his alma mater in a stellar career of more than forty years, beginning with an appointment immediately fol-lowing his graduation as an instructor in the department in which he is now the senior member. He developed the mechanical engineering degree at VMI, shepherded the program through a record-breaking ABET accreditation process, and has watched proudly as mechanical engineering has become the largest of VMI’s three engineering programs. Also notably, he served for many years as chair of the VMI Energy Committee, saving the Institute and Commonwealth an estimated four million dollars in energy costs. Colonel Trandel has been an inspirational profes-sor and a dedicated and principled servant of VMI. Formal Institute ceremonies recognizing Colonel Trandel’s valued service, and that of this year’s other retirees, will be held in the spring. PAGE 8, THE INSTITUTE REPORT, DECEMBER 15, 2003 VMI Professorships and Chairs In the continued committment to excellence in academics, Brigadier General Charles F. Brower, Deputy Superintendent for Academics and Dean of the Faculty, invites nominations for VMI Professorships and Chairs. An Institute Professorship may be awarded to: a) distinguished current member of the faculty who received the professorship as an enhancement to his or her current contract; b) a distinguished external candidate who receives the professorship as an enhancement to the contract for appointment to the regular faculty; c) a distinguished external candidate who is hired for a five-year term with the funds from the professorship (and other sources, as required); d) a distinguished senior member of the current faculty who accepts the professorship for a single five-year term as a transition to retirement. Institute Professors are selected through a scheduled review process conducted by the Professorships and Chairs Selection Committee, which recommends appointments by the Superintendent through the Deputy Superintendent for Academics and Dean of the Faculty. Current Institute Professorships The General Edwin Cox ’20 Institute Professorship in History and Economics The Benjamin H. Hardaway, Jr. ’13 Institute Professorship in Engineering The Jamison-Payne III ’58 Institute Professorship in Electrical Engineering The Charles S. Luck, Jr. ’20 Institute Professorship in Engineering The Navas-Read Institute Professorship in English Literature The Benjamin H. Powell, Jr. ’36 Institute Professorship in Engineering The John C. Allen ’62 Institute Professorship in Chemistry The Henry King Burgwyn, Jr., Boy Colonel of the Confederacy Chair in Military History The Cameron Professorship in Physics and Astronomy The Beverly M. Read 1941 Institute Professorship in Arts and Sciences The John W. and Jane M. Roberts Institute Professorship in Free Enterprise Economics Endowed Chairs are fully funded positions. Available Endowed Chairs are advertised nationally and are filled through a regular search process conducted by the department in which the chair will reside. Internal candidates are eligible to apply. The departmental search committee submits the candidate’s credentials for review by the Professorships and Chairs Selection Committee and, if tenure is to accompany the appointment, the Institute Tenure and Promotion Committee. One or both committees recommend appointment by the Superintendent through the Deputy Superintendent for Academics and Dean of the Faculty. Current Endowed Chairs The John Biggs ’30 Cincinnati Chair in Military History The John W. and Jane M. Roberts Chair in Free Enterprise Business Visiting Scholars Chairs may be awarded to distinguished external candidates for appointment to the faculty for one semester or one or more academic years, depending on the endowment and compelling needs of the Academic Program. Awards typically cover the chairholder’s salary and furnished quarters. Visiting Scholars Chairs are awarded through a scheduled review process conducted by the Professorships and Chairs Selection Committee, which recommends appointments by the Superintendent through the Deputy Superintendent for Academics and Dean of the Faculty. Current Visiting Scholars Chairs The Economics-Mary Moody Northen Chair in Arts and/or Social Sciences The Edwin P. Conquest ’14 Chair in the Humanities The Wachtmeister Chair in Science and Engineering The Thomas Bahnnson and Anne Bassett Stanley Professorship in Ethics and Integrity The Eugenio Lopez Chair for Asian Studies THE INSTITUTE REPORT, DECEMBER 15, 2003, PAGE 9 MacInnis Named Associate Director of Communications and Marketing Lieutenant Colonel Stewart MacInnis assumed duties as associate di-rector for communications and marketing in mid-November. Most recently a public relations coordinator at Virginia Tech, he was re-sponsible for promoting the achievements of the more than 250 faculty members and the nearly 1,600 students in the university’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. MacInnis’ new duties include working with print media to increase the pub-lic profile of VMI and in preparing the Institute Report. He replaces Chuck Steenburgh who left in July to take on a similar position at the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia. “I’m excited about starting at VMI,” MacInnis said. “When I interviewed for this position, I was impressed not just by the academic and military excellence that go with the Institute, but I was also impressed by everyone’s commitment to its future.” MacInnis’ previous public relations experience includes eight years as public affairs officer for the Vir-ginia National Guard. In that capacity he provided public relations support to Army National Guard and Air National Guard units mobilized for Operation Desert Storm, and for units called up to deal with several natural and man-made disasters. Prior to that, MacInnis was a newspaper reporter, working for such publications as the Virginia Gazette in Williamsburg, the Daily Press in Newport News, and the now-defunct Richmond News Leader. MacInnis served on active duty with the U.S. Army from 1973 to 1976. He joined the Virginia Army National Guard upon his departure from the Army, and earned a commission from Officer Candidate School. He served as an infantry scout platoon leader, as a company commander, and as logistics officer for a battalion staff. He commanded a rifle company that deployed for training to the Republic of Korea in 1987, and he commanded a Mobile Public Affairs Detachment that deployed to the Republic of Panama to provide sup-port to U.S. Southern Command in 1992. He served as the public affairs officer for the Virginia National Guard’s State Area Command from 1988 to his military retirement in 1995. Cadets Delve Into Ethics of Biotechnology Cadets participating in Colonel James Turner’s “Ethical, Economic, Religious, and Social Issues Sur-rounding Science and Medicine” Institute Honors course attended the Ethics of Biotechnology Conference at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Va., Nov. 13 and 14. The symposium brought together some of the world’s leading experts to consider the power and use of genetics by featuring current applications in cloning, stem cell research, gene therapies, and the use of genetically modified plants and animals. During the program the cadets learned of the fundamental biological basis for genetic research, with its potential promises and perils. They experienced the process of clarifying bioethical dilemmas through deliberation, evaluation of alternatives, and the insights of others. In addition, they gained an appreciation for the complexity of bioethical dilemmas by seeing how varied disciplines highlight different dimensions of the issues. Finally, they learned about the foundational reli-gious values that influence bioethical decision-making. The cadets will choose a topic from the conference for their capstone papers and poster presentations to be given at the end of the semester. Participating in the honors class are cadets Nate Joslyn ’04, Rob Serig ’04, Branden Smith ’04, William Hamilton ’05, Andy Cochet ’05, John Mundt ’06, and Jed Tan ’06. VMI Hosts Record Setting Conference A record-setting number of pub-lic relations, communications and development professionals from colleges and universities in Vir-ginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia attended the College Communicators Association Fall Conference at VMI. Attendees participated in work-shops and lectures dealing with photography, web site manage-ment, development strategies and public relations tactics. “We were pleased with the in-formation presented in the sessions,” said VMI Director of Communications & Marketing Colonel Ken White. “But we were even more pleased with the number of participants attending the event.” Over 100 people, representing public and private colleges and universities in the region, made the event the largest CCA conference in the history of the organization. “The program was relevant, which caused many people to at-tend,” said White. “However, there’s no question that having the conference at VMI had much to do with the record attendance. People were very interested in coming to Post.” The attendees were treated to a lunchtime performance by the VMI Drill Team and a late afternoon tour of Post. The late-October event was held in Moody Hall and in the George C. Marshall Museum. PAGE 10, THE INSTITUTE REPORT, DECEMBER 15, 2003 Navy ROTC Celebrates Birthday of USMC Navy Fall FTX Academic concerns were set aside for the Navy Fall Field Training Exercise (FTX) Oct. 3-5 to concentrate on professional development and an operational introduction to ship handling. The Navy ROTC Unit celebrated the Navy’s 228th Birthday on Friday night, traveled to Annapolis to operate the Yard Patrol Craft at the Naval Academy on Saturday, and exercised the spirit of community service on Sunday by helping clean up the flood damage brought on the community of Buena Vista by Hurricane Isabel. On Saturday morning, longing for the sea, the Navy ROTC Unit set off for the U.S. Naval Academy to participate in exercises aboard its Yard Patrol Craft. The three craft – 108 ft long, diesel powered vessels – set sail at 1100 and moved into the Chesapeake Bay to put to practice the theory covered in the classroom here at VMI. First and Second Classmen acted as Officers of the Deck, Junior Officers of the Deck, and Conning Officers while Thirds and Fourths performed as Helmsmen, Lee Helmsmen, Lookouts and Bearing Takers. The integration of watch teams into a viable unit commanding a Navy vessel was a terrific experience for all members. Group dynamics, communication, feedback, and situational The Commanding Officer, Naval ROTC Unit VMI, hosted the celebration of the 228th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps on Nov. 7. General Peter Pace, USMC, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was the guest of honor. General Pace is the first Marine to hold the position of Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and is the Nation’s second highest ranking military officer. A 1967 Graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, General Pace has served in a variety of assignments, highlighted by a combat tour in Vietnam as a rifle platoon commander and an assistant battalion operations officer. He has held command at almost every level, and has served all over the world. From Dec. 1992 to Feb. 1993, then Brigadier General Pace served as the Deputy Commander, Marine Forces, Somalia, then as the Deputy Commander, Joint Task Force – Somalia from Oct. 1992 to March 1994. Upon his promotion to General, he became the Commander, United States Southern Command before assuming his current duties. Throughout their history, Marines have celebrated their birthday “in every clime and place” since the Corps’ birth in a Philadelphia tavern in 1775. “In the snow of far-off northern lands,” such as Marines experienced in Korean War, and in the “sunny tropic scenes” of Pacific island battlefields of World War II, Marines worldwide pause to recognize their history during the birthday. This year VMI Marines celebrated in the traditional manner at Evans Dining Hall on the campus of Washington and Lee University. The evening began with a social hour, giving all attending, including cadets of the NROTC Midshipman Battalion, active duty ROTC staff, VMI faculty and staff, and military retirees from the Lexington area, a chance to mingle and socialize. A dinner followed, and the ceremony started at 8 p.m. The ceremony’s narrator, Midshipman 1st Class Matthew Hendricks, read the Birthday Message from the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General M.W. Hagee, part of which reads: “This year we celebrate the 228th anniversary of the founding of our Corps. As always, it is an occasion for remembrance, proud traditions, and joyful camaraderie. The events of the past year have called for great sacrifices from many Marines and their families. While the Global War on Terrorism will continue to demand the best from each of us, it is important that we join with our fellow Marines, families and friends to celebrate our Corps’ special culture and unique warrior ethos.” Continued on page 11 General Peter Pace, USMC, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff talks with Sgt. Maj. Al N. Hockaday, USMC (Ret.) former Sergeant Major of the Corps of Cadets. Cadet 2nd Class Jordan Mills, the ceremony’s Adjutant, marched out to take his post and read the traditional Birthday Message from General John A. Lejeune, 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps and 5th Superintendent of VMI. Mills then commanded, “Sound Adjutant’s Call” to which the Midshipman Sword Detail marched out, preceding the Commanding Officer and the Guest of Honor. The Adjutant then ordered the Color Guard to “March on the Colors.” The color detail, led by Midshipman 2nd Class Jonathan Cirillo, marched up the center of the dining hall, presenting the colors to the Commanding Officer and the Guest of Honor. The traditional cake cutting followed. Colonel Minor presented the first piece of cake to the Guest of Honor. The next piece went to the oldest Marine present, Lt. Col. Nate Adams, USMC (ret.), great Uncle of Midshipman 1st Class Bree Adams. Finally, the third piece of cake went to the youngest Marine present, Midshipman 4th Class Staci Reno. The ceremony continued with the Guest’s of Honor’s remarks. General Pace’s remarks were directed at the assembled cadets, emphasizing the importance of their pending service to a Nation at war. THE INSTITUTE REPORT, DECEMBER 15, 2003, PAGE 11 VMI Army Cadet Rangers Win Regional Competition VMI Army ROTC cadets took first place in this year’s regional “Ranger Challenge” competition. The event took place Oct. 18-19 at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, and in-cluded 27 teams from colleges and universities in Virginia, West Vir-ginia, Delaware, and Maryland. For months, VMI’s Ranger Chal-lenge Team trained for this event. This year’s competition included an obstacle course, a leadership reaction course, first aid tasks, both mounted and dismounted land navigation, river crossing via a one-rope bridge, a hand grenade course, a five kilometer forced march, squad tactics, and a surprise “Commander’s Challenge” event, all rolled into a continuous test of teams’ skill and endurance. The competition began before first light on a Saturday morning, and ended for some teams late that evening. The weekend’s events ended with an award ceremony on Sunday morning, in which VMI’s team took the top honors. Each school is represented by a ten-cadet, gender-integrated team. The 2003 VMI Ranger Challenge Team included Cadets Ryan Koniak ’05 (the team captain), Justin Bierens ’04, Joseph Didomenico ’04, Frank Dolberry ’06, Eric Huggard ’05, Laura Mack ’05, Josh Mulford ’04, Keun Rhee ’06, Phillip Sauls ’05, John Shillingburg ’06, Robyn Schaperjahn ’06, Kirk Steiner ’06, and Mark Searls ’06. Army ROTC’s Ranger Challenge is a nationally recognized competition at over 270 colleges and universi-ties. This victory means the VMI team will continue training through spring to compete as U.S. Army Cadet Command representatives in the internationally recognized Sandhurst competition, to be held next semes-ter at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point. awareness were paramount to their success, and the Midshipmen performed admirably in the crowded waters of the open bay. The Battalion returned to Lexing-ton Saturday night and quickly hit the rack. Sunday morning began the final phase of a concerted effort to aid neighbors in Buena Vista who suf-fered lost and damaged homes and property on a devastating scale. The effects of the flood waters were apparent immediately upon enter-ing the South River watershed area. Trees and shrubs were flattened, and personal effects, furniture, clothing, lawn accoutrements, roofs, house siding, and complete backyard decks were littered throughout the flood plain. The Midshipmen quickly followed the direction of the community lead-ers advising the group and began sorting through the woods and thickets that harbored the refuse of disaster. Nearly 300 man hours were employed by the cadets, re-sulting in a dramatic improvement to the landscape that assisted in hastening something of a return to normalcy for the citizens of the area. The Navy Fall FTX was a resound-ing success and did a fine job of setting the stage for the spring when the Unit will travel to Smith Mountain Lake to employ further boat handling skills, exercise lead-ership billets and build camaraderie amongst its mem-bers. Continued from page 10 Navy FTX device detonated by an unknown terrorist in an ambush. Lieutenant Hurley entered VMI from Clifton Forge, Virginia and was graduated with Distinction in May 2001 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was selected as a Distinguished Military Graduate and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Corps of Engineers upon graduation. As a Cadet, Hurley was a participant in a wide variety of intramural sports, played on the VMI Varsity Golf team as a Rat, was active with the Cadet Program Board, held Cadet rank his Second Class year, and earned status on the Dean’s Academic Honor List six consecutive semesters. Just before being deployed to Iraq, Lieutenant Hurley was married to Army Lieutenant Teresa Vaught Hurley. They were deployed to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom together. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his parents, Charles and Christine Hurley II of Alvin, Texas; a married sister, Amanda; and his Brother Rats of the Class of 2001. Continued from page 1 TAPS PAGE 12, THE INSTITUTE REPORT, DECEMBER 15, 2003 VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING OFFICE LEXINGTON, VA 24450-0304 FIRST CLASS U.S. POSTAGE PAID LEXINGTON, VA PERMIT NO. 12 Runnin’ Roos Visit Alaskan School While playing in the Top of the World Basketball Classic, the Keydets spent an after-noon visiting with the youngsters of North Pole El-ementary School in North Pole, Alaska. The school is located about 20 minutes north of Fairbanks and the home school of third-grader Ashley Wilkes, the youngest daughter of VMI’s host fam-ily. Principal David Pfrimmer welcomed the Keydets into his school made up of chil-dren ranging from Kindergarten through sixth grade. The team split into three groups and took turns talk-ing to classes about what its like to play college basketball and what they’ve done to get where they are. Coach Bart Bellairs con-tinually made the impression on the young children that to be successful in the future, you must begin making the right choices now. That mo-tion was seconded by all of his players. After the discussions, the Keydets signed their autographs on every-thing from pieces of paper to sweatshirts. The students asked the Keydets challenging questions throughout the day. First Classman Richard Little was asked “who has been your toughest opponent since you’ve been at VMI?” Little responded with Players Stress the Importance of Education at North Pole Elementary School “Kentucky, two years ago.” Without professional or major college sports in the vicinity, the Top of the World Classic is a treat for all Alaskans and Fairbanks natives. It was even more of a treat for these children to see real college basketball players in their school. “I was excited to meet people who play ‘older’ bas-ketball,” said 11-year-old Katie. “They are like celeb-rities to me. I really didn’t expect for them to be that tall.” Eight-year-old Hannah took her lesson from the team to heart. “I learned that you don’t start working when you’re older, you begin working now,” she said. The day was a smashing success for the students from both the North Pole E.S. and VMI. Rat Chi Chi Ezekwe was really touched by the afternoon. “I liked working with the kids,” said Ezekwe. “It was good to teach them the importance of an education and see them look up to us.” Rat Jack Castleberry echoed the sentiment. “I remember when I was that age and high school kids came to talk to me,” said Castleberry. “It’s good to give something back.” VMI assistant basketball coach Kevin Martin and players Sam Mielnik ’05, Preston Beverly ’05 and Matt Coward ’07 pose with students at North Pole (Alaska) Elementary School. VMI’s coaches and players talked the students about making the right decisions.
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Repository | Virginia Military Institute Archives |
VMI Archives Record Group | Publications |
Title | Institute Report. December 2003 |
Description | A publication of the VMI Office of Communications and Marketing containing news and events information. Volume XXXI, Number 4 |
Date | 2003-12 |
Subject | Virginia Military Institute -- Publications. |
Digital Publisher | Virginia Military Institute Archives |
Creator | Virginia Military Institute |
Rights | Materials in the VMI Archives Digital Collections are intended for educational and research use and may be used for non-commercial purposes with appropriate attribution. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information. |
Type | text |
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Full Text Search | THE INSTVIOTULUTEM ER EXPXOX,R NTU, MDEBCEERM 7B, EARP R15IL, /2M0A0Y3,, 2P0A0G3E 1 Volume XXXI, Number 4 December 15, 2003 TAPS Captain John Robert Teal, United States Army Medical Service Corps, VMI Class of 1994, was killed on Oct. 23, 2003, just north of Baghdad, Iraq. The vehicle in which Captain Teal was riding was destroyed by an improvised explo-sive device detonated by an unknown terrorist in an ambush. Captain Teal was killed instantly. Captain Teal was a 1990 gradu-ate of Benedictine High School in Richmond, Virginia, and was graduated from VMI in May 1994 with a BA degree in history, at which time he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army. An extremely well-liked and colorful member of the Class of 1994, Teal served on the staff of The Cadet, and was an active member of the Army National Guard during his cadetship. Teal entered VMI from Mechanicsville, Virginia, but called Montpe-lier, Virginia, home at the time of his death. He is survived by his parents and a married sister. Funeral services were held at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church in Montpelier on Nov. 3, with inter-ment following at Arlington National Cemetery. Both Governor Mark R. Warner and former Secretary of the Army John O. Marsh paid tribute to Cap-tain Teal’s sacrifice in remarks made at the Oct. 28-30 Governor’s Homeland Security Conference, citing Captain Teal as a prime ex-ample of selfless sacrificial service to others. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in their son’s memory to The Class of 1994 John R. Teal Memorial Scholarship Fund, to be set up at the VMI Foundation, Incorporated. Lieutenant Joshua Charles Hurley, United States Army Corps of Engineers, VMI Class of 2001, was killed on Nov. 1, 2003, in Iraq. He was serving with the 326th Engineer Battalion, 101st Airborne Divi-sion, west of Baghdad. According to official reports, the vehicle in which Lieutenant Hurley was riding was destroyed by an improvised explosive Captain John Robert Teal, VMI Class of 1994 and Lieutenant Joshua Charles Hurley, VMI Class of 2001 Continued on page 11 General Peay Shares His Vision VMI Superintendent General J. H. Binford Peay III, ’62 shared his vision for VMI, and his four areas of focus, with a capacity crowd at the Institute Society Din-ner in November. On the eve of the Institute’s 164th anniversary, the Superinten-dent said he is taking a long-range approach while looking ahead to VMI’s bicentennial. “Forward we will go on our journey to the year 2039 and be-yond,” he said. “As our Founders knew so well, they were not build-ing for the moment, they were building for the future. And so are we.” Peay said VMI should continue to set its sights on forming potential leaders for all walks of life, holding true to the Institute’s historic mis-sion inscribed on the Parapet. “This is our primary commit-ment: the development of honorable, informed and energetic young men and women,” he said. “That will be our focus.” The Superintendent said in order to accomplish the goals, he will con-centrate on four focus areas, the first of which is the physical and cul-tural environment. This area includes, among other things, grow-ing the size of the Corps to 1,500 cadets, delivering an exciting con-struction program, and creating a Post that resonates with history. The second area Peay stressed was that of academics characterized by small class sections and exceptional instructors. “This includes some ‘rebalancing’ and/or growth in engineering and Continued on page 2 John Robert Teal ’94 Joshua Charles Hurley ’01 PAGE 2, THE INSTITUTE REPORT, DECEMBER 15, 2003 The Institute Report Office of Communications and Marketing – Col. Ken White, Director Editor .................................................................... Burton Floyd Contributing writers/photographers: ..................... Chris Clark; Burton Floyd; Kevin Remington; Scott Belliveau ’83; Lt. Col. Stewart MacInnis; CDR Timothy McElhannon, USN; Maj. John Wranek, USA ’85, Andy Krauss Printing ................................................................. The News-Gazette, Lexington, Va. The Institute Report is published by the VMI Office of Communications and Marketing. Eight issues are printed during the academic year. Inquiries, suggestions, news items, or address changes should be directed to Editor, The Institute Report, VMI Communications and Marketing, Lexington, Virginia 24450-0304. Current and past issues are available on the world wide web at: http://new.vmi.edu/show.asp?durki=458 Telephone 540-464-7207 Fax 540-464-7443 E-Mail:vmireport@vmi.edu England’s Prince Andrew visited the birthplace of George C. Marshall, Class of 1901, in October to commemorate the 50th anniversary of General Marshall’s receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. A VMI color guard took part in the event in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. Nominations for VMI Teaching and Service Awards Nominations for recognizing members of the VMI faculty and staff for outstanding teaching and for exemplary service to the Institute are being accepted from now until March 5, 2004. Nomination information and forms are available at http://academics.vmi.edu/ enviro/awards.doc or may be requested by contacting Colonel Wane Schneiter, Awards Committee Chairman, Civil & Environmental En-gineering Department, VMI, Lexington, Virginia 24450. sciences to offset recent declines and to meet 21st century requirements,” he said. General Peay’s third focus area is a leader-focused approach to ath-letics at the Institute where every cadet is an athlete and every athlete is a cadet. “I see a more structured, resourced intramural program, growth in club sports, and expanded women’s programs,” he said. “This will enable us to build leaders and promote health and fitness.” The Superintendent’s fourth area of focus deals with the military aspect of the VMI experience. “A massive increase in commissioning, mostly Guard and Reserve, and a common four-year ROTC program for all whether a cadet takes a commission or not,” he told the 500-plus people in attendance. General Peay explained the importance of these goals and how they can lead to the immediate and future success of VMI. “These four areas will require all of us to synchronize and integrate our daily actions and philosophies with the clear understanding of the wisdom of commonality of purpose,” he said. “In 2039 we will cel-ebrate our 200th anniversary, a short 36 years from tomorrow. How triumphant it will be depends on what we do here and now.” A transcript of General Peay’s Institute Society speech is available at http://www.vmi.edu/Show.asp?durki=2888. General Peay Continued from page 1 THE INSTITUTE REPORT, DECEMBER 15, 2003, PAGE 3 Foundation Fund: Progress Report Reveille: A Call to Excel Reaches $190 Million After the record setting effort of the Foundation Fund in Fiscal Year (FY) 2003, the leaders of the VMI Foundation Fund were hoping that the momentum would continue into the new fiscal year. With the re-ceipts for the first third of FY 2004 tabulated, it is appears that those hopes have been realized. As of Oct. 31, 2003, the Foundation Fund had received $287,524, an amount that exceeds what had been raised last year by more than $71,000. “The Foundation Fund is an important effort because, through it, the Institute receives the unrestricted money that support the academic and co-curricular programs that have an effect on each and every cadet in Barracks,” said James L. Adams ’71, Executive Vice President of the VMI Foundation. “While there is no telling if the Fund will surpass last year’s record setting goal of $1.85 million,” continued Dr. Adams, “we are pleased, therefore, that this fund is receiving such impressive support at this time.” The trustees of the Foundation are hopeful that alumni and friends of VMI will continue their generosity toward the Foundation Fund and that their example will inspire those alumni who have not participated in the Foundation Fund to do so immediately. Since July 1998, all of the VMI Development Agencies have been op-erating under the banner of VMI’s latest comprehensive capital campaign—Reveille: A Call to Excel. The funds raised through this effort are already at work on Post, bettering every aspect of VMI. Space allows just two examples: The Jane and John Roberts Chair in Free Enterprise, which is aiding VMI in its effort to fully accredit the Depart-ment of Economics and Business, and the Jackson-Hope Fund, which already has done so much to aid our dedicated faculty as well as to provide cadets with truly extraordinary educational opportunities through undergraduate research. As of Nov. 3, 2003, approximately 15,000 people had participated in Reveille, including about 8,000 of VMI’s more than 14,000 alumni. These alumni and friends of the Institute have given gifts and made commitments totaling more than $190 million. Reveille’s chairman, George G. Phillips, Jr. ’60 said that he is “extremely pleased” that Reveille was now $15 million past its goal of $175 million in gifts and commitments, a goal achieved one year ago this month. He also pledged that Reveille’s work would continue, al-beit not for much longer. “Thanks to the generosity of so many alumni and friends, this impor-tant effort is about to commence its last phase,” he said. “During this period in the campaign, we will focus on securing some major gifts and on creating a rebound in alumni participation in support of VMI, but in Annual Giving especially.” Phillips said the agencies will continue to pursue major gifts because there are major needs on Post that have not been met. “We want to increase alumni participation in Annual Giving because it is through its components that VMI can best raise the money that it needs to offset the continued decline in state funding,” Mr. Phillips continued. “Overall, however, we will continue this effort because we want to give General Peay’s effort to realize his ambitious vision of VMI in 2039 the best possible start.” If you are interested in Reveille’s goals and how you can help fulfill them, please visit the campaign’s webpage at www.vmi.edu. On Nov. 11, 2003, P. Wesley Fos-ter, Jr. ’56 (front) was presented with the VMI Foundation’s high-est honor, the Distinguished Service Award. Mr. Foster re-ceived the award in recognition of his many years of service to VMI and the VMI Alumni Agen-cies. VMI Foundation President Conrad M. Hall ’65 presented the Award to Mr. Foster during the Founders Day Convocation at Cameron Hall. Also pictured are (left to right): Samuel B. Witt, III ’58, president of the Board of Visitors; General J.H. Binford Peay, III ’62, Superintendent; and Colonel Leroy D. Hammond ’57, Headquarters Executive Of-ficer. PAGE 4, THE INSTITUTE REPORT, DECEMBER 15, 2003 The Honorable Harry Lee Carrico (second from right), longest serving Chief Justice of Virginia’s Supreme Court, was awarded the Harry Flood Byrd, Jr., Class of 1935 Public Service Award during ceremonies held in October at VMI. The award, es-tablished to honor the civic contributions of retired U.S. Senator Harry F. Byrd, Jr., is pre-sented to a public servant whose career best mirrors the life of Senator Byrd who was commit-ted to selflessness, integrity, patriotism and courage. Also pictured (left to right) are: Gen-eral J.H. Binford Peay, III ’62, Superintendent; Samuel B. Witt, III ’58, president of the VMI Board of Visitors; and Harry F. Byrd, Jr. ’35. Carrico Receives VMI’s Byrd Award Governor’s Homeland Security Conference VMI played host to “The Governor’s Homeland Security Conference: Virginia’s Security is the Nation’s Security,” in late October. The event brought to-gether over 300 of the nation’s best minds to discuss homeland security issues such as economic security, private partnership strategies, preparedness and response. Virginia Gov. Mark R. Warner hosted the conference along with U.S. Senator John W. Warner and U.S. Representative Bob Goodlatte. Former Secretary of the Army John O. Marsh, Jr. served as the chairman of the conference. THE INSTITUTE REPORT, DECEMBER 15, 2003, PAGE 5 The Spilman Symposium on Issues in Teaching Writing 10th Anniversary Celebration Re-Defining English 101: Ten Years Later The pursuit of excellence in the teaching of writ-ing brings professors of writing and rhetoric to VMI from dozens of two- and four-year colleges each fall, with this year’s edition marking the 10th time the Institute has hosted the one-day Spilman Sym-posium on Issues in Teaching Writing. “Conversation following the formal presentations was lively as participants explored the trends — the questions, challenges, or debates — that have characterized the discipline’s view of first-year com-position during the last decade,” said conference organizer Lieutenant Colonel Christina McDonald, VMI’s Institute Director of Writing and an associate professor of English. The symposium, held Oct. 25, drew 76 partici-pants from 29 colleges in 10 states and the District of Columbia. It returned to the theme of the inau-gural symposium, “Defining English 101: The Goals of Freshman Composition.” Presenters from that original symposium who returned to once again make presentations on the subject were Erika Lindemann, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Gary Tate, from Texas Christian University. They were joined by Brian Jackson, of the University of Arizona, and Sarah Allen, of the Uni-versity of South Carolina. Anne Ruggles Gere, of the University of Michigan, delivered the keynote address. Founded in 1993, the symposium is supported by the Robert S. Left to right: Professor Erika Lindemann (University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill); Professor Gary Tate (Texas Christian University); Professor Anne Ruggles Gere (University of Michigan); Sarah Allen (doctoral student, University of South Carolina); and Brian Jackson (doctoral student, University of Arizona). Spilman, VMI Class of 1896, and Robert S. Spilman Jr., VMI Class of 1928, Fund for Excellence in Writing. Mrs. Samuel R. Sutphin estab-lished the fund in honor of her late father and brother. Additional funding is provided by the Institute Writing Program. Cadet Dunlap Named Presidential Fellow Cadet Ian G. Dunlap ’05 has been selected as one of 65 fellows to participate in a program sponsored by the Center for the Study of the Presidency in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1965, the center is a non-profit public policy and educa-tion organization dedicated to strengthening the institution of the modern presidency through research and publication. In addition to sponsor-ing a variety of conferences, public service and research projects, the center publishes Presidential Studies Quarterly and monographs. This prestigious fellowship allows Cadet Dunlap to participate in sym-posia and meetings with other fellows from top schools across the United States as he works on a research paper on some aspect of the American presidency under the guidance of Lieutenant Colonel James J. Hentz, associate professor of international studies. He will present the results of his research at a conference in the spring. Cadet Dunlap is an international studies major from Woolwine, Va. New Post Police Officer Keith M. Haraway, former member of the Lexington Police Department, has joined VMI’s Post Police staff. Officer Haraway began his duties at VMI on Oct. 25 PAGE 6, THE INSTITUTE REPORT, DECEMBER 15, 2003 Sharpe Makes Run for Marshall, Rhodes Scholarships Kicking the pigskin was the re-lease that Cadet Matt Sharpe ’04 needed to settle his mind as he prepared for nearly simultaneous interviews for the Marshall and Rhodes scholarships. A placekicker, Sharpe bracketed the Keydets’ last game of the sea-son with interviews for the two scholarships. Getting ready for them required long nights and close management of his coursework. “You have to understand, kick-ing was my escape,” Sharpe said. “It’s like playing golf every after-noon — what could be better? And my professors were incredibly understanding. So many people were so supportive.” In the end the coveted scholarships went to other applicants. But the academic and athletic prowess that helped him to reach the state finals in the scholarship competitions, joined with the leadership he exhibits as Regimental S-5 Cadet-Captain, earned him the Three-Legged Stool Award. That award was presented at the Keydet Club Scholarship Athletes Recognition Banquet Sept. 13. The award, the Keydet Club’s highest honor for a cadet-athlete, gets its name from the term coined by VMI’s oldest living alumnus, Giles H. Miller Jr. ’24. It refers to the Institute’s whole-person educational emphasis on academics, military and lead-ership development, and athletics. The process of preparing for the intense scholarship competition was an education in itself, Sharpe said. “This forces you to really consider the person that you have become after three years of your cadetship,” Sharpe said. “I learned more about myself, and what my cadetship has meant in the two months of preparation than I have my entire cadetship. Not many cadets get the opportunity to learn about themselves like that, and for that, it was a very positive experience.” VMI’s most recent Rhodes Scholar, Michael Lokale ’03, is thriving at Oxford and wrote to Sharpe about preparing for the interview. Lokale was the recipient of the Three-Legged Stool award last year. Sharpe got some additional advice from another of the Institute’s Rhodes Scholars and the current holder of the Wachtmeister Chair in the Department of Economics and Business, Brigadier General Lee D. Badgett ’61, who joined other faculty members in mock in-terviews to prepare Sharpe for both the Marshall and the Rhodes inter-views. “Matt has very impressive aca-demic abilities,” said Brigadier General Charles F. Brower IV, deputy superintendent for academ-ics and dean of the faculty. “The competition he faced was unbeliev-able. His strong candidacy for both these scholarships has kept VMI’s reputation strong among the America’s most prestigious institutions of higher education.” A computer science major from Chesterfield, Va., Sharpe said he intends to pursue graduate studies after he graduates from VMI in May. Included on his list of graduate schools to apply to are the University of Bath and the University of London, where his proposed course of study for the Marshall would have led to double masters’ in human-com-puter interaction and systems engineering. A member of the Institute Honors Program and finalist for the 2003 Truman Scholarship, Sharpe is also pursuing minors in French, math-ematics, and writing. “I’ll look back on the whole experience positively because of how much I learned about myself,” Sharpe said. Claunch ’01 Also Tries for Rhodes First Lieutenant Erin Claunch ’01 was interviewed for a Rhodes Scholarship this fall. She was nominated by her graduate school, the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and applied as a Rhodes candidate from New Mexico, where she is currently stationed. Claunch, a physics major and among the first group of women admitted to VMI, was battalion commander in her final year here. A standout on the Institute’s track team and member of the fencing team, she was an academically distinguished graduate. Article by Sheldon Appears in Cryptologia The July 2003 issue of Cryptologia contains a fascinating bibliographical article by Colonel Rose Mary Sheldon, professor of history, entitled “The Sator Rebus: An Unsolved Cryptogram?” The article surveys scholarship on the sator square, which is, according to Colonel Sheldon, “one of the oldest, unsolved word puzzles in the world.” In a lucid preface, Colonel Sheldon explains her “intention to place this enigma before the cryptographic community not only because of its historical interest, but also to assemble the ever-growing bibliography for easy reference in the hope that a solution may lie with the mathemati-cally- minded rather than the philologists, ethnographers and pious theologians who have traditionally studied the problem.” A military historian of a growing national reputation, Colonel Sheldon continues to bring credit to VMI with her impressive range of scholar-ship, which always grows so creatively out of her teaching. Cadet Sharpe Receives the Three-Legged Stool Award from Greg Cavallaro ’84, Executive Vice President of the VMI Keydet Club. THE INSTITUTE REPORT, DECEMBER 15, 2003, PAGE 7 Cadets Make Record Number of Presentations Even before cadets departed on Christmas furlough, the number of cadets attending and making presentations at conferences this year surpassed the number to attend conferences during all last year. “This reflects one of the Undergraduate Research Initiative’s goals for the coming years; to get the word out as to the quality of the research work that our students and their faculty mentors are doing here at VMI,” said Colonel Jim Turner, director of undergraduate research. “That’s an important message for our own faculty and cadets to hear as well as for our peers in other colleges and universities.” While the number of cadets whose participation in meetings and conferences was funded by the Undergraduate Research Initiative reached 17 this semester – tying the number funded for the entire academic year last year — other cadets attended meetings using funding from depart-ments and other sources. Here’s a sampling of some of the more prominent meetings at which cadets made presentations: American Culture Association in the South Two cadets, Matt Sharpe ’04, computer science, and Geoffrey T. Parker ’06, economics and business, presented papers in a session on “Real Rhetoric” at the conference of Popular and American Culture in the South, at Jacksonville, Fla., Oct. 2-4. The cadet presentations grew out of their work in Advanced Compo-sition with Lieutenant Colonel Christina McDonald, VMI’s Institute Director of Writing and an associate professor of English, who orga-nized and also presented a paper in the session. MARCUS The largest group of cadets ever to attend the Mid-Atlantic Confer-ence on Undergraduate Research (MARCUS) during its five-year history presented results of their research at Sweet Briar College on Oct. 4. Cadets from the Biology Department presenting were Joshua Fox ’04, Matthew Park ’04, Yang-His Tsai ’05, and Heather Brown ’06. Chemistry majors presenting were Bryan Clemmons ’05, Col-leen Wall ’05, and Seth Brunner ’06. Two cadets from the Physics Department, Rob Serig ’04, and Thananart Klogcheongsan ’04, also presented. The Psychology Department was represented by Cadet Jason Brightwell ’04. Cadet David Beehler ’05 presented from the History Department. Four faculty members also attended in support of the cadets: David Allen (Physics), Captain Kristin Galloway (USAF-Psychology), Major Stan Smith (Chemistry), and Colonel Jim Turner ’65 (Chem-istry/ Biology). National Collegiate Honor Society Five cadets and one faculty member attended the National Collegiate Honor Society Meeting in Chicago Nov. 6-9, to present a session on VMI’s Honors Forum, a distinctive element of the Institute Honors Pro-gram. Cadets Maciek J. Kepka ’05 and Nathanael E. Joslyn ’04, both majors in international studies, joined cadets Matthew C. Park ’04, Andrew Cochet ’05, and Jessica L. Fulton ’06, all biology majors, in participating in the meeting. Attending with them was Colonel R. Wane Schneiter, professor of civil and environmental engineering. Regional Microbiology Meeting Four cadets majoring in biology attended the Virginia Branch meet-ing of the American Society for Microbiology at the University of Virginia Nov. 7 and 8. Cadets Mary Kathryn Osborne ’06, Heather Brown ’06, Mariah Green ’04, and Hamilton Bice ’04, presented posters during the session. Major Wade Bell, assistant professor of biology, attended in support of the cadets. SERMACS Six cadets attended the Southeastern Regional Meeting of the Ameri-can Chemical Society (SERMACS) in Atlanta Nov. 16-19. Cadets Matthew A. Durssia ’05, Ryan Clemens ’04, Leigh-Anne R. Lindenmuth ’04, Seth R. Brunner ’06, and Heather Marie Miras ’06, all chemistry majors, and Cadet Colleen M. Wall ’05, majoring in biology, attended the meeting. Attending with them was Major Daren J. Timmons, assistant pro-fessor of chemistry. Col. Richard Trandel to Retire Colonel Richard S. Trandel, a professor of me-chanical engineering and three-term holder of the Charles S. Luck, Jr., ’20 Institute Professorship in En-gineering, will retire at the end of this academic year. A 1959 graduate of VMI, Colonel Trandel has served his alma mater in a stellar career of more than forty years, beginning with an appointment immediately fol-lowing his graduation as an instructor in the department in which he is now the senior member. He developed the mechanical engineering degree at VMI, shepherded the program through a record-breaking ABET accreditation process, and has watched proudly as mechanical engineering has become the largest of VMI’s three engineering programs. Also notably, he served for many years as chair of the VMI Energy Committee, saving the Institute and Commonwealth an estimated four million dollars in energy costs. Colonel Trandel has been an inspirational profes-sor and a dedicated and principled servant of VMI. Formal Institute ceremonies recognizing Colonel Trandel’s valued service, and that of this year’s other retirees, will be held in the spring. PAGE 8, THE INSTITUTE REPORT, DECEMBER 15, 2003 VMI Professorships and Chairs In the continued committment to excellence in academics, Brigadier General Charles F. Brower, Deputy Superintendent for Academics and Dean of the Faculty, invites nominations for VMI Professorships and Chairs. An Institute Professorship may be awarded to: a) distinguished current member of the faculty who received the professorship as an enhancement to his or her current contract; b) a distinguished external candidate who receives the professorship as an enhancement to the contract for appointment to the regular faculty; c) a distinguished external candidate who is hired for a five-year term with the funds from the professorship (and other sources, as required); d) a distinguished senior member of the current faculty who accepts the professorship for a single five-year term as a transition to retirement. Institute Professors are selected through a scheduled review process conducted by the Professorships and Chairs Selection Committee, which recommends appointments by the Superintendent through the Deputy Superintendent for Academics and Dean of the Faculty. Current Institute Professorships The General Edwin Cox ’20 Institute Professorship in History and Economics The Benjamin H. Hardaway, Jr. ’13 Institute Professorship in Engineering The Jamison-Payne III ’58 Institute Professorship in Electrical Engineering The Charles S. Luck, Jr. ’20 Institute Professorship in Engineering The Navas-Read Institute Professorship in English Literature The Benjamin H. Powell, Jr. ’36 Institute Professorship in Engineering The John C. Allen ’62 Institute Professorship in Chemistry The Henry King Burgwyn, Jr., Boy Colonel of the Confederacy Chair in Military History The Cameron Professorship in Physics and Astronomy The Beverly M. Read 1941 Institute Professorship in Arts and Sciences The John W. and Jane M. Roberts Institute Professorship in Free Enterprise Economics Endowed Chairs are fully funded positions. Available Endowed Chairs are advertised nationally and are filled through a regular search process conducted by the department in which the chair will reside. Internal candidates are eligible to apply. The departmental search committee submits the candidate’s credentials for review by the Professorships and Chairs Selection Committee and, if tenure is to accompany the appointment, the Institute Tenure and Promotion Committee. One or both committees recommend appointment by the Superintendent through the Deputy Superintendent for Academics and Dean of the Faculty. Current Endowed Chairs The John Biggs ’30 Cincinnati Chair in Military History The John W. and Jane M. Roberts Chair in Free Enterprise Business Visiting Scholars Chairs may be awarded to distinguished external candidates for appointment to the faculty for one semester or one or more academic years, depending on the endowment and compelling needs of the Academic Program. Awards typically cover the chairholder’s salary and furnished quarters. Visiting Scholars Chairs are awarded through a scheduled review process conducted by the Professorships and Chairs Selection Committee, which recommends appointments by the Superintendent through the Deputy Superintendent for Academics and Dean of the Faculty. Current Visiting Scholars Chairs The Economics-Mary Moody Northen Chair in Arts and/or Social Sciences The Edwin P. Conquest ’14 Chair in the Humanities The Wachtmeister Chair in Science and Engineering The Thomas Bahnnson and Anne Bassett Stanley Professorship in Ethics and Integrity The Eugenio Lopez Chair for Asian Studies THE INSTITUTE REPORT, DECEMBER 15, 2003, PAGE 9 MacInnis Named Associate Director of Communications and Marketing Lieutenant Colonel Stewart MacInnis assumed duties as associate di-rector for communications and marketing in mid-November. Most recently a public relations coordinator at Virginia Tech, he was re-sponsible for promoting the achievements of the more than 250 faculty members and the nearly 1,600 students in the university’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. MacInnis’ new duties include working with print media to increase the pub-lic profile of VMI and in preparing the Institute Report. He replaces Chuck Steenburgh who left in July to take on a similar position at the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia. “I’m excited about starting at VMI,” MacInnis said. “When I interviewed for this position, I was impressed not just by the academic and military excellence that go with the Institute, but I was also impressed by everyone’s commitment to its future.” MacInnis’ previous public relations experience includes eight years as public affairs officer for the Vir-ginia National Guard. In that capacity he provided public relations support to Army National Guard and Air National Guard units mobilized for Operation Desert Storm, and for units called up to deal with several natural and man-made disasters. Prior to that, MacInnis was a newspaper reporter, working for such publications as the Virginia Gazette in Williamsburg, the Daily Press in Newport News, and the now-defunct Richmond News Leader. MacInnis served on active duty with the U.S. Army from 1973 to 1976. He joined the Virginia Army National Guard upon his departure from the Army, and earned a commission from Officer Candidate School. He served as an infantry scout platoon leader, as a company commander, and as logistics officer for a battalion staff. He commanded a rifle company that deployed for training to the Republic of Korea in 1987, and he commanded a Mobile Public Affairs Detachment that deployed to the Republic of Panama to provide sup-port to U.S. Southern Command in 1992. He served as the public affairs officer for the Virginia National Guard’s State Area Command from 1988 to his military retirement in 1995. Cadets Delve Into Ethics of Biotechnology Cadets participating in Colonel James Turner’s “Ethical, Economic, Religious, and Social Issues Sur-rounding Science and Medicine” Institute Honors course attended the Ethics of Biotechnology Conference at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Va., Nov. 13 and 14. The symposium brought together some of the world’s leading experts to consider the power and use of genetics by featuring current applications in cloning, stem cell research, gene therapies, and the use of genetically modified plants and animals. During the program the cadets learned of the fundamental biological basis for genetic research, with its potential promises and perils. They experienced the process of clarifying bioethical dilemmas through deliberation, evaluation of alternatives, and the insights of others. In addition, they gained an appreciation for the complexity of bioethical dilemmas by seeing how varied disciplines highlight different dimensions of the issues. Finally, they learned about the foundational reli-gious values that influence bioethical decision-making. The cadets will choose a topic from the conference for their capstone papers and poster presentations to be given at the end of the semester. Participating in the honors class are cadets Nate Joslyn ’04, Rob Serig ’04, Branden Smith ’04, William Hamilton ’05, Andy Cochet ’05, John Mundt ’06, and Jed Tan ’06. VMI Hosts Record Setting Conference A record-setting number of pub-lic relations, communications and development professionals from colleges and universities in Vir-ginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia attended the College Communicators Association Fall Conference at VMI. Attendees participated in work-shops and lectures dealing with photography, web site manage-ment, development strategies and public relations tactics. “We were pleased with the in-formation presented in the sessions,” said VMI Director of Communications & Marketing Colonel Ken White. “But we were even more pleased with the number of participants attending the event.” Over 100 people, representing public and private colleges and universities in the region, made the event the largest CCA conference in the history of the organization. “The program was relevant, which caused many people to at-tend,” said White. “However, there’s no question that having the conference at VMI had much to do with the record attendance. People were very interested in coming to Post.” The attendees were treated to a lunchtime performance by the VMI Drill Team and a late afternoon tour of Post. The late-October event was held in Moody Hall and in the George C. Marshall Museum. PAGE 10, THE INSTITUTE REPORT, DECEMBER 15, 2003 Navy ROTC Celebrates Birthday of USMC Navy Fall FTX Academic concerns were set aside for the Navy Fall Field Training Exercise (FTX) Oct. 3-5 to concentrate on professional development and an operational introduction to ship handling. The Navy ROTC Unit celebrated the Navy’s 228th Birthday on Friday night, traveled to Annapolis to operate the Yard Patrol Craft at the Naval Academy on Saturday, and exercised the spirit of community service on Sunday by helping clean up the flood damage brought on the community of Buena Vista by Hurricane Isabel. On Saturday morning, longing for the sea, the Navy ROTC Unit set off for the U.S. Naval Academy to participate in exercises aboard its Yard Patrol Craft. The three craft – 108 ft long, diesel powered vessels – set sail at 1100 and moved into the Chesapeake Bay to put to practice the theory covered in the classroom here at VMI. First and Second Classmen acted as Officers of the Deck, Junior Officers of the Deck, and Conning Officers while Thirds and Fourths performed as Helmsmen, Lee Helmsmen, Lookouts and Bearing Takers. The integration of watch teams into a viable unit commanding a Navy vessel was a terrific experience for all members. Group dynamics, communication, feedback, and situational The Commanding Officer, Naval ROTC Unit VMI, hosted the celebration of the 228th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps on Nov. 7. General Peter Pace, USMC, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was the guest of honor. General Pace is the first Marine to hold the position of Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and is the Nation’s second highest ranking military officer. A 1967 Graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, General Pace has served in a variety of assignments, highlighted by a combat tour in Vietnam as a rifle platoon commander and an assistant battalion operations officer. He has held command at almost every level, and has served all over the world. From Dec. 1992 to Feb. 1993, then Brigadier General Pace served as the Deputy Commander, Marine Forces, Somalia, then as the Deputy Commander, Joint Task Force – Somalia from Oct. 1992 to March 1994. Upon his promotion to General, he became the Commander, United States Southern Command before assuming his current duties. Throughout their history, Marines have celebrated their birthday “in every clime and place” since the Corps’ birth in a Philadelphia tavern in 1775. “In the snow of far-off northern lands,” such as Marines experienced in Korean War, and in the “sunny tropic scenes” of Pacific island battlefields of World War II, Marines worldwide pause to recognize their history during the birthday. This year VMI Marines celebrated in the traditional manner at Evans Dining Hall on the campus of Washington and Lee University. The evening began with a social hour, giving all attending, including cadets of the NROTC Midshipman Battalion, active duty ROTC staff, VMI faculty and staff, and military retirees from the Lexington area, a chance to mingle and socialize. A dinner followed, and the ceremony started at 8 p.m. The ceremony’s narrator, Midshipman 1st Class Matthew Hendricks, read the Birthday Message from the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General M.W. Hagee, part of which reads: “This year we celebrate the 228th anniversary of the founding of our Corps. As always, it is an occasion for remembrance, proud traditions, and joyful camaraderie. The events of the past year have called for great sacrifices from many Marines and their families. While the Global War on Terrorism will continue to demand the best from each of us, it is important that we join with our fellow Marines, families and friends to celebrate our Corps’ special culture and unique warrior ethos.” Continued on page 11 General Peter Pace, USMC, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff talks with Sgt. Maj. Al N. Hockaday, USMC (Ret.) former Sergeant Major of the Corps of Cadets. Cadet 2nd Class Jordan Mills, the ceremony’s Adjutant, marched out to take his post and read the traditional Birthday Message from General John A. Lejeune, 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps and 5th Superintendent of VMI. Mills then commanded, “Sound Adjutant’s Call” to which the Midshipman Sword Detail marched out, preceding the Commanding Officer and the Guest of Honor. The Adjutant then ordered the Color Guard to “March on the Colors.” The color detail, led by Midshipman 2nd Class Jonathan Cirillo, marched up the center of the dining hall, presenting the colors to the Commanding Officer and the Guest of Honor. The traditional cake cutting followed. Colonel Minor presented the first piece of cake to the Guest of Honor. The next piece went to the oldest Marine present, Lt. Col. Nate Adams, USMC (ret.), great Uncle of Midshipman 1st Class Bree Adams. Finally, the third piece of cake went to the youngest Marine present, Midshipman 4th Class Staci Reno. The ceremony continued with the Guest’s of Honor’s remarks. General Pace’s remarks were directed at the assembled cadets, emphasizing the importance of their pending service to a Nation at war. THE INSTITUTE REPORT, DECEMBER 15, 2003, PAGE 11 VMI Army Cadet Rangers Win Regional Competition VMI Army ROTC cadets took first place in this year’s regional “Ranger Challenge” competition. The event took place Oct. 18-19 at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, and in-cluded 27 teams from colleges and universities in Virginia, West Vir-ginia, Delaware, and Maryland. For months, VMI’s Ranger Chal-lenge Team trained for this event. This year’s competition included an obstacle course, a leadership reaction course, first aid tasks, both mounted and dismounted land navigation, river crossing via a one-rope bridge, a hand grenade course, a five kilometer forced march, squad tactics, and a surprise “Commander’s Challenge” event, all rolled into a continuous test of teams’ skill and endurance. The competition began before first light on a Saturday morning, and ended for some teams late that evening. The weekend’s events ended with an award ceremony on Sunday morning, in which VMI’s team took the top honors. Each school is represented by a ten-cadet, gender-integrated team. The 2003 VMI Ranger Challenge Team included Cadets Ryan Koniak ’05 (the team captain), Justin Bierens ’04, Joseph Didomenico ’04, Frank Dolberry ’06, Eric Huggard ’05, Laura Mack ’05, Josh Mulford ’04, Keun Rhee ’06, Phillip Sauls ’05, John Shillingburg ’06, Robyn Schaperjahn ’06, Kirk Steiner ’06, and Mark Searls ’06. Army ROTC’s Ranger Challenge is a nationally recognized competition at over 270 colleges and universi-ties. This victory means the VMI team will continue training through spring to compete as U.S. Army Cadet Command representatives in the internationally recognized Sandhurst competition, to be held next semes-ter at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point. awareness were paramount to their success, and the Midshipmen performed admirably in the crowded waters of the open bay. The Battalion returned to Lexing-ton Saturday night and quickly hit the rack. Sunday morning began the final phase of a concerted effort to aid neighbors in Buena Vista who suf-fered lost and damaged homes and property on a devastating scale. The effects of the flood waters were apparent immediately upon enter-ing the South River watershed area. Trees and shrubs were flattened, and personal effects, furniture, clothing, lawn accoutrements, roofs, house siding, and complete backyard decks were littered throughout the flood plain. The Midshipmen quickly followed the direction of the community lead-ers advising the group and began sorting through the woods and thickets that harbored the refuse of disaster. Nearly 300 man hours were employed by the cadets, re-sulting in a dramatic improvement to the landscape that assisted in hastening something of a return to normalcy for the citizens of the area. The Navy Fall FTX was a resound-ing success and did a fine job of setting the stage for the spring when the Unit will travel to Smith Mountain Lake to employ further boat handling skills, exercise lead-ership billets and build camaraderie amongst its mem-bers. Continued from page 10 Navy FTX device detonated by an unknown terrorist in an ambush. Lieutenant Hurley entered VMI from Clifton Forge, Virginia and was graduated with Distinction in May 2001 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was selected as a Distinguished Military Graduate and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Corps of Engineers upon graduation. As a Cadet, Hurley was a participant in a wide variety of intramural sports, played on the VMI Varsity Golf team as a Rat, was active with the Cadet Program Board, held Cadet rank his Second Class year, and earned status on the Dean’s Academic Honor List six consecutive semesters. Just before being deployed to Iraq, Lieutenant Hurley was married to Army Lieutenant Teresa Vaught Hurley. They were deployed to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom together. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his parents, Charles and Christine Hurley II of Alvin, Texas; a married sister, Amanda; and his Brother Rats of the Class of 2001. Continued from page 1 TAPS PAGE 12, THE INSTITUTE REPORT, DECEMBER 15, 2003 VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING OFFICE LEXINGTON, VA 24450-0304 FIRST CLASS U.S. POSTAGE PAID LEXINGTON, VA PERMIT NO. 12 Runnin’ Roos Visit Alaskan School While playing in the Top of the World Basketball Classic, the Keydets spent an after-noon visiting with the youngsters of North Pole El-ementary School in North Pole, Alaska. The school is located about 20 minutes north of Fairbanks and the home school of third-grader Ashley Wilkes, the youngest daughter of VMI’s host fam-ily. Principal David Pfrimmer welcomed the Keydets into his school made up of chil-dren ranging from Kindergarten through sixth grade. The team split into three groups and took turns talk-ing to classes about what its like to play college basketball and what they’ve done to get where they are. Coach Bart Bellairs con-tinually made the impression on the young children that to be successful in the future, you must begin making the right choices now. That mo-tion was seconded by all of his players. After the discussions, the Keydets signed their autographs on every-thing from pieces of paper to sweatshirts. The students asked the Keydets challenging questions throughout the day. First Classman Richard Little was asked “who has been your toughest opponent since you’ve been at VMI?” Little responded with Players Stress the Importance of Education at North Pole Elementary School “Kentucky, two years ago.” Without professional or major college sports in the vicinity, the Top of the World Classic is a treat for all Alaskans and Fairbanks natives. It was even more of a treat for these children to see real college basketball players in their school. “I was excited to meet people who play ‘older’ bas-ketball,” said 11-year-old Katie. “They are like celeb-rities to me. I really didn’t expect for them to be that tall.” Eight-year-old Hannah took her lesson from the team to heart. “I learned that you don’t start working when you’re older, you begin working now,” she said. The day was a smashing success for the students from both the North Pole E.S. and VMI. Rat Chi Chi Ezekwe was really touched by the afternoon. “I liked working with the kids,” said Ezekwe. “It was good to teach them the importance of an education and see them look up to us.” Rat Jack Castleberry echoed the sentiment. “I remember when I was that age and high school kids came to talk to me,” said Castleberry. “It’s good to give something back.” VMI assistant basketball coach Kevin Martin and players Sam Mielnik ’05, Preston Beverly ’05 and Matt Coward ’07 pose with students at North Pole (Alaska) Elementary School. VMI’s coaches and players talked the students about making the right decisions. |
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