Institute Report. June 2007

              Deployment Can’t Separate Sisters at Commissioning
By Sherri Tombarge, Special Correspondent
First came tears, then the hug.
That’s how the pin-on portion of the
Joint ROTC Commissioning Ceremonies
began for commissioning U.S. Army 2nd
Lt. Abigail S. Ward. Moments earlier she
had descended the steps into Memorial
Garden to find her sister, VMI alumna and
U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Melissa Ward,
waiting to help pin new second lieutenant’s
bars on her uniform.
Sisters often attend these ceremonies,
but this big sister had come a long way
— all the way from her deployed unit in
Afghanistan.
“I’ve been there for all major events
in my little sister’s life,” said Melissa, but
she hadn’t expected to be at this one,
having been in Afghanistan for only four
months.
“It was a surprise for me, too,” she said,
explaining that when her desire to attend
her sister’s commissioning was made
known, orders were given to “make it
happen.”
Melissa was glad to be there after sharing
so much with her sister. “She’d tell me the
stories during her ratline — the same
stories about sweat parties, about getting
dropped [for pushups] on the stoop,” said
Ward, noting that not much seems to have
changed since her graduation in 2003.
“She [Abigail] has done well for herself.
I’m very proud of her,” added Melissa,
noting that her sister was captain of the
Gov. Kaine Celebrates Graduates, Citizen-Soldiers
By Wendy Lovell, Special Correspondent
Graduates who don’t plan to wear the uniforms of commissioned
officers must be prepared to join those who do so they can jointly
address the challenges of the world, Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine told cadets
at this year’s commencement on May 16.
“Increasingly we are becoming citizen-soldiers of the world,” said
Kaine. “The challenge of breaking down barriers isn’t a new one but
one we’ve had since the beginning of Virginia. There are still new
worlds out there, and we need you to be a society of adventurers.”
Kaine added that the barriers that now need to be broken are
of a global nature, and that it will be important for those who are
commissioned as officers into the military and those who do business
globally to be advocates for the United States.
“No society, school, state, nation or culture can be all it can be by
dividing its people,” said Kaine. “We have broken down the barriers
between us, and we continue to embrace the power of wise educational
investment. You can be the voices for the power of education: be good
parents, run for school board office, be great teachers and educators,
be good policy makers.”
On a day designed to celebrate the education of the graduating class,
Kaine took the opportunity to reflect on the strides the Commonwealth
has made not only in higher education but at all levels in the past 50
years.
Using the 400th celebration of the founding of Jamestown as a
backdrop, Kaine gave the commencement address to a crowded
audience in VMI’s Cameron Hall, where 282 cadets received degrees.
Please see page 17
Marine 1st Lt. Melissa Ward, left, greets her sister,
Abigail, after traveling from her deployed unit in
Afghanistan. – VMI photo by Kevin Remington.
Please see page 6
  Class Agents Meet on Post .................................................. 3
  New Cadet Offi cers Take Command ................................. 4
  Spirits High at Commissioning .......................................... 5
  Cadet Breaks Ground on Capitol Hill ................................ 7
  Valedictorian Earns Respect of Classmates .......................9
  LaCerda and Wu Commissioned at White House ..............11
  Superintendent Names Inspector General .........................14
  Laundry Services Gets it Sorted .......................................15
Volume XXXIV, Number 7, June 2007
PAGE 2, THE INSTITUTE REPORT, JUNE 2007
VMI Seeks Additional State UMA Funding
By Lori Stevens, Special Correspondent
50th Reunion Presentation
Class of 1957 President Russell L. Davis Jr. and the class’s
reunion chairman, Paul D. Muldowney (second and third
from left) present a check to James F. Spellman Jr. ’85,
president of the VMI Alumni Association (far left) and Gen.
J.H. Binford Peay III, superintendent. 87 percent of the
members of the Class of 1957 participated in the class’ 50th
reunion fund. – Photo courtesy of the VMI Alumni Association.
Cadets at the VMI rifle range. – VMI photo
VMI is a unique institution with an
important state-approved program known
as Unique Military Activities, or UMA,
that the Institute is working to have fully
funded by the state.
“While state funding for the UMA
program has been a huge benefit for our
cadets, the level of such funding has not
kept pace with cost increases since about
1990,” says Treasurer Col. Gary Knick.
“We are asking the General Assembly to
fully fund the UMA program.”
In 1985 the General Assembly
recognized the financial implications of
VMI’s distinctive military mission and approved the UMA to provide
supplemental state funds. That helps fund cadet uniform purchases
and maintenance, military administration and training, cadet support
services, and certain physical plant costs. Virginia Tech is the only other
state-supported institution with a similar program.
The cost of UMA activities will total $5.4 million for the fiscal year
beginning July 1. State support will account for $3.2 million of that,
and the balance will be funded primarily with cadet fees.
“The establishment of the UMA program separated military costs from
educational and auxiliary costs, which allowed for more meaningful
and accurate cost comparisons with other institutions,” says Knick.
The state provides funds for educational and general programs
covering the academic, student services, administration, and physical
plant operations of the school, but the state does not provide monies
for auxiliary programs – dining halls, intercollegiate athletics, and
extracurricular activities.
Under the UMA program, VMI issues uniforms
to all new cadets and certain replacement
items throughout their cadetship. The military
store, laundry, and tailor shop operations
are essential to the proper maintenance and
upkeep of uniforms. VMI has one of the largest
laundry facilities in the state, processing an
average of 10 tons of laundry per week. The
tailor shop alters and repairs uniforms, and
the military store purchases, issues, and stocks
14,000 cadet uniform items.
A key distinction of VMI is the military
system, which includes a chain of command
involving all cadet officers, faculty and staff, the
commandant’s office, and the headquarters office. An integral part of
this system is “Rat Training” and associated activities, such as the Rat
Challenge program. UMA activities also include the Corps attendance
at ceremonial functions.
UMA also provides a portion of the costs of cadet development and
counseling and the VMI hospital operations. Because of the physical
demands inherent in attending the Institute, cadets are more susceptible
to injuries than most other college students. VMI has a larger hospital
than most schools its size, allowing sick cadets to be removed from
the close quarters of the Barracks when necessary.
Physical plant costs covered by UMA include the Parade Ground,
Kilbourne Hall (ROTC departments), and a portion of the Barracks
occupied by the commandant’s office.
The State Council of Higher Education recommended full state
support for UMA activities with the exception that cadets should pay
40 percent of uniform costs. Since 1990, UMA program costs have
increased at an annual rate of 3.8 percent, but state support has
increased at an annual rate of only 1.2 percent. Cadet fees have had to
increase significantly to make-up the shortfall.
VMI plans to continue requesting this additional support when
it submits its state budget requests later this fall. VMI will use the
additional support to discontinue Auxiliary program subsidies for
funding cadet uniforms and also use the additional funds for leadership
program activities and indirect costs. “We won’t be reducing cadet
fees,” explains Knick, “but we will be able to minimize future cadet
fee increases.”
Please see page 15
Produced by the Offi ce of Communications and Marketing
Col. Sonny Craven, USA (Ret.), Director
Lt. Col. Stewart MacInnis, Associate Director
Burton Floyd, Publications Coordinator
Bob Holland, Wendy Lovell, Lori Stevens and
Sherri Tombarge - Special Correspondents
Kevin Remington and Lori Stevens - Photography
Printing – The News-Gazette, Lexington, Va. 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, Telephone 540-464-7207, Fax 540-464-7443
THE INSTITUTE REPORT, JUNE 2007, PAGE 3
The VMI Foundation: Energetic and Effi cient
By Scott Belliveau ‘83, VMI Foundation
In debates about energy policy, whenever
participants ask how to increase the overall
supply of energy, the answer usually is two-fold:
develop new resources, such new oil and
gas fields, and increase energy efficiency.
According to Pete Ramsey ‘72, the president
of the VMI Foundation, the same holds true in
the world of fundraising at VMI.
“Just as ample energy resources are
important to our economy, abundant private
financial support is vital to VMI’s future. All
of us at the Foundation know that there are
two ways to provide it: first, through energetic
fundraising and stewardship, to include cultivating new donors and
following a sound investment strategy, and, second, by ensuring that
our operations are as efficient as possible.”
Jim Adams ‘71, executive vice president of the VMI Foundation,
agrees.
“Our success in providing aid to VMI readily demonstrates we are
effective stewards and fundraisers,” he said, citing the fact that, in the
2006-2007 academic year, the Foundation provided almost $11.4
million or 20.1 percent of the Institute’s revenues. “However, we are
equally determined to be as efficient as possible in our work on behalf
of VMI.”
During a nine-year period, between Fiscal Year 1998 and Fiscal Year
2006, the VMI Foundation’s annual fundraising
expenses rose from $1,526,099 to $2,102,731
or approximately 4.5 percent per year.
“During this time, the Foundation was involved
in two major fundraising efforts: Reveille: A Call
to Excel and Vision 2039,” said Adams. “We
also adopted new technologies; established an
in-house, cadet-manned national call center
to increase alumni participation; and hired
a small number of experienced fundraising
professionals who strongly contribute to the
Foundation’s work. With all that, however,
we managed to keep the growth in our costs
relatively low.”
Moreover, measured as money raised against expenses incurred
in doing, the Foundation’s efficiency is excellent. Over the past nine
years, in terms of cash and pledged gifts, the Foundation’s “cost of
fundraising” averaged 10.73 cents per dollar raised, while the national
average annual fundraising cost for charitable education organizations
was between eighteen and twenty cents on the dollar.
“VMI depends on the Foundation for millions of dollars in support and
our donors depend on us to use as much of their gifts and commitments
as possible to help VMI. We take it as a grave responsibility, therefore, to
be energetic in fundraising and efficient in our operations,” concluded
Adams.
Class Agents Meet on Post
By Scott Belliveau ‘83, VMI Foundation
On April 20-21, fifty-five class
agents returned to VMI for the
2007 Class Agents Conference.
Institute leaders, to include the
superintendent and the dean of
the faculty, presented the class
agents with information about VMI’s
current condition and its plans
for the future. George P. Ramsey
III ’72, the president of the VMI
Foundation, and the VMI Alumni
Agencies’ executive vice presidents
also briefed them about the work of
the VMI Alumni Agencies.
“It might seem as if we are giving
them a lot of information in a
short time,” said Patrick Webb,
the director of alumni and reunion
giving, who is responsible for coordinating the work of the class agents.
“But it’s just not an ‘information dump’ from VMI and the Alumni
Agencies. The agents also reviewed their tasks for the remainder of
Fiscal Year 2007 and addressed many questions related to their duties
in the coming year.
Class agents gather for the 2007 Class Agent Conference.
– Photo courtesy of the Alumni Agencies
“This conference, as with the
informal get-together that occurs in
the fall, also give them the chance to
discuss the challenges they face in the
execution of their duties as well as to
air any concerns about VMI they have
heard from their Brother Rats with
VMI’s leaders and those of the Alumni
Agencies,” continued Webb. “It also
provides them an opportunity to tell
us their ideas about how we can better
support them in their important work.
Finally, it is a chance for us to express
our appreciation for the work that
they do for their respective classes and
VMI.”
This year’s conference was
immediately preceded by a special
workshop for representatives of the “young alumni” classes, defined
as those who have not yet celebrated their 15th reunions, designed to
address the unique needs of these classes. During this meeting, these
alumni also heard from more experienced class agents on such issues
Please see page 8
PAGE 4, THE INSTITUTE REPORT, JUNE 2007
New Cadet Offi cers Take Command
By Sherri Tombarge, Special Correspondent
Cadet First Capt. Salvatore
Sferrazza, 2006-07 regimental
commander of the Corps of Cadets,
turned over his command to
Superintendent Gen. J.H. Binford
Peay in a ceremony that took
place Monday, May 14, in front
of Barracks. Peay then presented
the regimental colors, symbolic
of the command, to incoming
regimental commander Cadet
Roger Leonhart. The rank of
regimental commander is the
highest a cadet can obtain.
Regimental executive officer
Nicholas Cutting also took up
his duties that day. The Corps’
other cadet captains are Thomas
Cunningham, 1st Battalion commander, and Jared Weber, 2nd Battalion
commander. Other officers in the regimental staff include Joel Keneipp,
S-1; George Flathers, S-2; Nathan Harris, S-3; Alex Sullivan, S-4; Katherine
Bopp, S-5; Matthew Harrison, S-6;
and Christopher Malta, S-7. First
Battalion executive officer is Brittany
Ray, and 2nd Battalion executive
officer is Allan Fortier.
Company commanders are Scott
Sanders, A Company; Travis Light,
B Company; Evan Roddenberry, C
Company; Glyn Phillips, D Company;
Eric Hunter, E Company; Timothy
Hichak, F Company; Jared Siebenaler,
G Company; William Crockett, H
Company; and Lynn Larson, Band
Company.
Company executive officers are
Jonathan Walaski, A Company;
Robert Davis, B Company; Ying-Chie
Hsieh, C Company; David Patterson,
D Company; Jesse Burnette, E Company; Clinton Adams, F Company;
Matthew Walker, G Company; Jarrett Moran, H Company; and John
Nikiforakis, Band Company.
Incoming Regimental Commander Roger Leonhart stands with
Cadet Sal Sferrazza, the outgoing commander. – VMI photo by
Kevin Remington.
Training, Education Priorities for
New Regimental Commander
By Sherri Tombarge, Special Correspondent
“He has been my mentor for three years now. He taught me a lot
about being a cadet, a regimental commander and a future leader
in the Army.” — Cadet Roger Leonhart.
Clearly, the leadership of outgoing regimental
commander Salvatore Sferrazza will be missed, as much
by incoming regimental commander Roger Leonhart as
by others in the Corps of Cadets.
Leonhart took up his command May 14.
“I am honored to be selected as the 2007-08
regimental commander,” said Leonhart. “The rank of
regimental commander will give me a platform to work
hand in hand with the commandant to run the Corps
of Cadets to where everyone has a great and unique
experience.”
Leonhart, who observed the regimental system from
the inside this year as regimental sergeant major and
the previous year as a cadre corporal, believes his
enthusiasm is shared by many in his class.
“Everyone is excited and ambitious, ready to take the wheel and begin
our time here as first classman,” he said. “We are really
trying to focus on the training and education of customs
and courtesies of the Corps. We want the entire Corps
to abide by one standard – the VMI standard.”
Leonhart’s career as a cadet has been a rich one.
During his time as cadre corporal, he was part of the
team training rats to be successful cadets.
“I know that everyone who was part of the cadre took
great ownership and pride of the rats and still shares with
them their successes and failures, providing guidance
and support,” he observed.
The experience taught Leonhart something about
himself.
“VMI has given me the opportunity to challenge myself
with responsibilities within the rank system and learn
through successes and failures – trials and errors,” he said.
Roger Leonhart. – VMI
Photo by Kevin Remington.
THE INSTITUTE REPORT, JUNE 2007, PAGE 5
Spirits High at Commissioning
By Sherri Tombarge, Special Correspondent
In a “lighthearted but heartfelt”
ceremony, half of VMI’s graduating
class was administered the oath of
office as second lieutenants or
ensigns in all four of the U.S.
Armed Services.
Newly commissioned Marine
2nd Lt. Clayton Piersall said the
ceremony provided a sense of
both elation and deep meaning
after working for the commission
for four years. The ceremony was
“not so focused on war but on the
potential to do great things,” he
said.
Indeed, Gen. J.H. Binford Peay
III ’62, VMI superintendent,
commented in his opening
remarks that, “Soldiering is a special business: it’s fun and it’s
immensely rewarding.”
Commissioning officers from each of the four services made remarks
before administering the oath of office to the new officers.
Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Frances C. Wilson pointed out that in making
the oath, an officer is accepting “full responsibility” for his or her
actions. “You support and defend the constitution,” not the flag or the
president, she said. “You are pledging to uphold the liberty of all men
and women.”
Wilson administered the oath of office to 22 of the new officers, while
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley administered it to 53, U.S.
Navy Rear Adm. Terence E. McKnight administered it to 13, and U.S. Air
Force Brig. Gen. Darren W. McDew to 30.
At the pin-on ceremony, Piersall reflected that he never thought
he would make it this far. The
recipient of a four-year Marine Corps
scholarship said the time passed
“really fast.” He looks forward next
to flight school in Pensacola, Fla.
Just-commissioned Air Force 2nd
Lt. Erin Hottle found the moment of
the pin-on “kind of unbelievable.”
Her experience at VMI had been
“a good one, but a time of learning
a lot about yourself,” she said. The
chemistry major expects to take up
duties as a research science analyst
in a laboratory at Eglin Air Force Base
in Florida.
Families and friends took part in
the ceremonies, and that was the
best part for Navy Ensign Manuel
Caballero. “It was awesome just having all my family here participating,”
he said.
His uncle, who is retired from the Air Force, swore him in, while his
father, retired from the Navy, received his first salute. His mother, sister
and fiancé also took part in the ceremony.
For Army 2nd Lt. Jessee Kopczynski, it was classmates who helped
out. His roommates took part in the pin-on, and a brother rat received
his first salute.
For most who were commissioning, it was an exciting moment. “It’s
the reason I came to VMI, to get a commission,” said Kopczynski, who
will be a combat engineer. “It’s been a long four years.”
This year, about 51 percent of the graduating class was commissioned
or is scheduled to be commissioned over the summer.
Memorial Garden was filled with jubilant new officers, their
families, and friends. – VMI Photo by Kevin Remington.
2nd Lt. Sal Sferrazza takes his first salute. – VMI photo by
Kevin Remington.
Please see page 19
Cadet Sferrazza Sets the Standard for Excellence
By Col Jim Tubbs, Air Force ROTC
Air Force ROTC Cadet Salvatore
Sferrazza’s accomplishments set him
head and shoulders above his peers.
By virtue of earning the respect of both
peers and superiors, he was chosen
as the regimental commander, the
top-ranking cadet among first class
cadets.
In this role he was responsible for
the overall planning and execution of
all activities for the 1,300-member
Corps of Cadets. Sferrazza was also
selected by his class to serve as
the Honor Court Vice President,
addressing and investigating questions
of integrity and VMI honor code
violations.
Among his VMI classmates, he has earned the distinction of being
ranked first militarily every year at
VMI. Scholastically he has performed
admirably as a double major in
International Studies and Arabic.
Some of his significant achievements
with Air Force ROTC include the
Brigadier General Alonzo J. Walter ‘49b
Award for being the most outstanding
Air Force ROTC cadet in the graduating
class, Distinguished Graduate (top
10 percent) at Air Force ROTC Field
Training, George C. Marshall/Hap
Arnold Award for Leadership recipient,
and being one of only 12 Air Force
ROTC cadets in the nation selected
for the Chief of Staff of the Air Force
Language and Area Studies Immersion
program in Morocco and Tunisia. Recently, he was one of only two
PAGE 6, THE INSTITUTE REPORT, JUNE 2007
Foundation Fund: Business as Usual
By Scott Belliveau ‘83, VMI Foundation
After the hustle and bustle of Finals, the overall quiet that descends
on Post by sunset on May 16 is quite striking. With Barracks empty and
the academic buildings closed, it seems that VMI has closed for a sleepy
summer, resting for the arrival of the cadre and the beginning of a new
academic year in early August.
Of course, reality is that VMI does anything but close for the summer.
Cadets, faculty, and staff are there for summer school and research. VMI’s
leadership is considering the lessons from the past academic year and
figuring how to apply them in the next year. And, the VMI Foundation
is raising money.
“It’s somewhat funny to have people approach me after commencement
and ask what I am doing during the summer,” said Jim Adams ’71,
executive vice president of the VMI Foundation. “My answer always is,
‘Finish the two busiest months of the fiscal year and start a new one.’”
Indeed, Fiscal Year 2007 ends on June 30 – a month and a half after
commencement. Throughout these six weeks, the leaders, officers, and
staff of the Foundation will be working hard to raise money from all
members of the VMI Family. “Traditionally, June is the most successful
month for the VMI Foundation in terms of the number of donors and
amount of money raised,” said Adams.
Although all gifts and commitments – of any size or restriction – are
welcome during the waning days of the fiscal year, the VMI Foundation
focuses particularly on the Foundation Fund.
“Of course, because it provides unrestricted money for VMI’s
academic and co-curricular programs, we put a lot of emphasis on
the Foundation Fund,” said Pat Webb, director of alumni and reunion
giving, who is responsible for the Foundation Fund.
As of May 1, the Foundation Fund was still working hard to meet the
Fund’s goals for FY 2007. “Last year, the Foundation Fund received a
record-setting $2,420,361. This year, mindful of VMI’s need for what
the Foundation Fund provides – that is, unrestricted money – we set
an ambitious goal of $2.5 million. To meet that goal, we must raise the
same amount as last year and add $80,000 to it,” said Webb.
“Participation in the Foundation Fund by alumni will help us achieve
the Fund’s dollar goal,” he continued. “It also will help us meet another
important goal, that of having 36-percent of VMI’s alumni make a gift to
VMI in Fiscal Year 2007. In Fiscal Year 2006, 4,346 alumni – or 35.4
percent – donated to Annual Giving, endowments, and many other
activities on Post. While that is impressive, VMI alumni are renowned for
their loyalty to the Institute and more of them should be participating.
The goal of 36 percent alumni participation translates into 4,512 alumni
or 166 more than last year.”
“At first glance, many of these goals might seem easily achievable,”
said Jim Adams. “However, none of us associated at the VMI Foundation
take making them for granted. Last year’s record result in fundraising
and impressive result in alumni participation were the products of
immense generosity by our donors and hard work and boundless
dedication by the Foundation’s volunteers leaders, officers, and staff.
So, while these next few weeks will see the Institute turn its attention
to the next academic year, for the Foundation, it is business as usual as
we try to ensure a strong finish for Fiscal Year 2007.”
Continued from page 1
Deployment
cross country team and had a higher grade-point average than she, even
higher than that of their father, who graduated from VMI in 1972.
Melissa said her sister is fluent in Arabic, a skill she gained at VMI,
and will work in military intelligence.
Melissa’s visit to the States will be brief — only three or four days
before she must return to harm’s way in Afghanistan. And knowing what
that’s like doesn’t make her less likely to worry about a little sister also
heading for active duty.
“I … worry about her going,” said Melissa Ward. “I don’t want her
to go. I hope it [the war] dies down.”
Abigail, a resident of Fairfax, Va., will train to be a military intelligence
officer before reporting for duty with the Army’s 10th Mountain
Division.
Cadet Jamaal Walton, president of the First Class,
and other members of the Class of 2007 watch
the Corps pass in review during the Graduation
Parade. – VMI photo by Kevin Remington.
THE INSTITUTE REPORT, JUNE 2007, PAGE 7
Cadets Participate in Summer Session on Post, Abroad
By Wendy Lovell, Special Correspondent
While construction still affects life on Post, Summer Session 2007
is for the most part business as usual. Directed by Col. Tom Baur,
the program encompasses two, five-week regular summer terms;
the Summer Undergraduate Research Institute (SURI); the Summer
Transition Program (STP) and summer study abroad.
At least 225 cadets will return to Post to participate in the first summer
session, May 22-June 22; a much smaller number of cadets is expected
for the second session, June 26-July 27.
“This year, we will house summer session cadets in Barracks during
the first term, but they will have to find their own housing for the second
session,” said Baur. “Only STP cadets will live on Post during the second
summer session. We think its best not to mix the old Corps with the
new Corps.”
Thirty-four cadets will conduct research with their faculty mentors
during SURI, May 20-July 27, which is directed by Patricia Hardin.
Capt. John E. “Ned” Reister Jr. ’78 will once again lead STP, July 2-27,
a voluntary program designed to improve the academic and physical
fitness of incoming cadets.
Six VMI cadets will be studying abroad with Ellen Burch in Bolivia and
Peru; Mohamed Taifi and Khadija Bentouhami will travel to Morocco
with 10 cadets and students from the New Mexico Military Institute,
Converse College, and Washington and Lee, New York, Old Dominion
and Florida State universities; and nine VMI cadets will participate in the
University of Virginia’s program at Oxford University. Six other cadets
will participate in study abroad programs in Canada, Jordan, Spain,
Germany and England.
Cadet Breaks Ground on Capitol Hill
By Wendy Lovell, Special Correspondent
Recent VMI graduate Whitney
Matthews ’07 has become quite
comfortable presenting her
research on German artist Käthe
Kollwitz to fellow undergraduate
researchers; however, her
audience at an April poster session
was quite different.
Matthews was the first VMI cadet
to present at the Posters on the Hill
event in Washington, D.C., and
she made history, too, as the first
presenter from the humanities.
Sponsored by the Council on
Undergraduate Research (CUR),
the 11th annual event on Capitol
Hill was intended to help members
of Congress understand the importance of undergraduate research by
talking directly with the students whom funding for science and science
education impact. Matthews was one of 80 out of nearly 400 applicants
selected to present at the session.
“Traditionally, Posters on the Hill projects are science-based, but
CUR has begun to include the humanities in our organization,” said
Dr. Nancy Hensel, executive officer of CUR. “We were pleased to
have a presentation from the humanities in the program for the first
time. Our reviewers found the international perspective of Whitney
Matthews’ project to be important, as well as her use of archival
material, and it also was appealing because it was presented effectively
and was interdisciplinary.”
Matthews began her research on Kollwitz last summer in Berlin as
part of VMI’s Summer Undergraduate Research Initiative. She immersed
herself in German culture, while combing the state library and archives
for information on the artist whose work offered an account of the
tumultuous socio-economic changes
of the early 20th century and the
effects of modern war on society.
“The main message I wanted our
public officials to hear was a plea
for more money for undergraduate
research,” said Matthews of Flint
Hill, Va. “All undergraduate research
needs to be supported, but most of
the bills passed are for the sciences.
The humanities are not as prominent,
and I believe that they need to be, as
well as support for study abroad.”
In addition to the poster session,
Matthews had the opportunity to
meet with U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte,
who represents Lexington, and Matt
Hodge, a legislative aid to U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor, who serves Matthew’s
home district.
“It was amazing to be in the offices of the representatives and to have
them listen to what I was saying,” said Matthews. “They really seem to
be interested in what the students have done, and they are impressed
with the amount of research that has been conducted.”
Patricia Hardin, modern languages instructor and one of
Matthews’ advisers on this project, also is proud of what she has
accomplished.
“It was a great honor for Whitney to represent VMI at this important
national event,” said Hardin. “Through her research presentation
and our discussion with our Congressional representatives, we hope
to have impressed upon these government officials how important
undergraduate research is to our cadets. We hope that in the future,
VMI will be represented at this prestigious event in all three academic
disciplines.”
U.S. Representative Bob Goodlatte visits Cadet Whitney
Matthews’ and her poster. – Courtesy of Undergraduate Research
PAGE 8, THE INSTITUTE REPORT, JUNE 2007
Faculty Honored with Institute Awards
By Wendy Lovell, Special Correspondent
VMI recognized faculty members who have dedicated themselves to
the mission of the Institute at its annual awards convocation on May 14
in Cameron Hall.
Wilbur S. Hinman Jr. ’26 Research Awards for faculty were presented
to Col. Francis Bush, professor of economics and business; Col. Timothy
Hodges, professor of mechanical engineering; international studies
professors Col. James Hentz and Col. R.E. Burnett; and Lt. Col. Judith
Cain, associate professor of chemistry.
Maj. Dennis Foster, assistant professor of international studies,
received the Thomas Jefferson Teaching Award.
Matthew Fontaine Maury Research Awards were presented to Capt.
Michael Sexton, professor of mechanical engineering; and Col. Malcolm
Muir, professor of history.
Distinguished Service Awards were presented to Helen Cox, Preston
Library assistant; Karen Ford, postal assistant; and Edith Wiseman,
catering manager.
The Distinguished Coaching Award was presented to Head Basketball
Coach Duggar Baucom.
Distinguished Teaching Awards were presented to Col. Thomas
Davis ’64, professor of history; Dr. Duncan Richter, professor of
philosophy; and Lt. Col. Stacia Vargas, associate professor of physics
and astronomy.
Lt. Col. Matthew Hyre, associate professor of mechanical engineering,
was awarded the Charles S. Luck Jr. ’20 Institute Professorship in
Engineering; and Col. Henry Schreiber, professor of chemistry, received
the Beverly M. Read ’41 Institute Professorship in Arts and Sciences.
Faculty Mentor Awards were presented to Capt. Kevin L. Faust, assistant
commandant; Maj. Frank Diorio, Marine officer instructor; Col. Holly
Jo Richardson, professor of physical education; Maj. Daren Timmons,
assistant professor of chemistry; Capt. John E. Riester Jr. ’78, professor
of civil and environmental engineering; and Dr. Eric Osborne, history
instructor.
Learn which cadets received awards at the convocation by visiting:
<http://www.vmi.edu/show.asp?durki=91>.
as reunions, class notes for the VMI Alumni Review, and their role in
fundraising.
“At every class agent conference, some of the new and younger class
agents ask their more experienced counterparts about how to do this
demanding volunteer job,” explained Webb. “We wanted to give the
class agents representing younger alumni a chance to draw on this
‘living archive’ of experienced agents in a more structured manner.
It also gave us an opportunity to hear and discuss their requirements
and problems, in turn giving us a chance to discuss and identify ways
of reducing or at a minimum, facilitating their requirements better.”
“The work class agents do for their Brother Rats, the VMI Alumni
Agencies, and VMI is important to the entire VMI Family,” said Jim Adams
’71, executive vice president of the VMI Foundation. “I am pleased,
therefore, that, through this meeting, we can give them the information
to help them and receive from them information on how we at the
Agencies are doing our jobs.”
The class agents will once again gather for an informal get-together
in early November.
Continued from page 3
Class Agents
The audience applauds award recipients. – VMI photo by Kevin Remington.
THE INSTITUTE REPORT, JUNE 2007, PAGE 9
History Major Values Fellowship Experience
By Wendy Lovell, Special Correspondent
While recent graduate Andrew Timpner ’07 is headed for a career
in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Momsen in Everett, Wash., he won’t
soon forget the past year’s experience as a Center for the Study of the
Presidency (CSP) fellow and his research of the changing relationship
between the United States and India.
As part of the CSP fellowship, the history major participated in two
conferences in Washington, D.C, with 84 other fellows who learned
about leadership and governance as it relates to the U.S. presidency
while sharing their research with one another. The product of their
work is a paper on an issue of the modern presidency.
“Simply put, my paper examines the changing relationship between
the United States and India, a very dynamic topic, given that the two
countries are so closely cooperating now after over five decades in
which the best they could manage to do was ignore one another,” said
Timpner. “Sometimes, they were not even able to do that. To me, one of
the most interesting aspects of my research has been discovering how
terrible Indo-American relations were before they began to improve in
the late 1990s, and even more unexpected, it seems that the relationship
began to improve with the Indian nuclear tests of 1998.”
Timpner worked closely during the fellowship with Brig. Gen. Charles
F. Brower IV, deputy superintendent for academics and dean of the faculty.
He also received assistance from Maj. Jason Kirk, assistant professor of
international studies and politics; Lt. Col. Atin Basu, associate professor
of economics and business; and Clemson Turregano, a Citadel graduate
assigned to Timpner by the CSP.
“The best thing about working with Brig. Gen. Brower on this topic
was that he always encouraged me to go deeper, to consider alternative
interpretations and to choose the one best supported by the evidence,”
said Timpner. “He disciplined my thinking on the subject so that I could
do it justice. As for the CSP conferences, they allowed me to interact
with other fellows from around the country, and it was very instructive
meeting with them, sharing ideas and learning together.”
An abbreviated version of Timpner’s CSP paper served as his Institute
Honors thesis. He has submitted the paper in the CSP’s contest for
publication in its annual anthology of best center fellows’ papers, which
will be announced this summer. Following military service, Timpner
plans on attending graduate school and thinks his research topic could
form the nucleus of his future studies.
Valedictorian Earns Respect of Classmates
By Wendy Lovell, Special Correspondent
Although he didn’t realize it,
Cadet Mike Lloyd was campaigning
to be the Class of 2007 valedictorian
more than a year ago. Then a
second classman, Lloyd got to
know each one of his Brother
Rats when he served as chairman
of the Ring Figure committee, and
these relationships came into play
recently when they selected him to
give the valedictory address.
While many colleges and
universities determine their
valedictorians based solely on
grade point average (GPA), VMI
follows a long-standing tradition
of having the graduating class vote
on its valedictorian from a pool
of 25 classmates with the highest
GPAs.
Lloyd, a mechanical engineering major from Michigan, received one
more vote than Cadet Brandon Price, an English and history double
major from Shenandoah; therefore, he stood on stage in Cameron Hall
with Gov. Tim Kaine to address his classmates at VMI’s graduation on
May 16.
“Out of all the awards I have won, the honor of serving as valedictorian
has meant the most to me,” said Lloyd. “My cadetship has been littered
with the opportunity to work with people, and these experiences have
taught me a lot about myself. VMI showed me my weaknesses and my
strengths, and now I know what I have to work on and can hone my
strengths.”
While the demands of Lloyd’s
mechanical engineering program
were great, the cadet managed to
start all four years on the soccer
team, serve on VMI’s Honor Court his
second- and first-class years, lead the
Cadet Investment Group and conduct
several mechanical engineering
research projects with Lt. Col. Matt
Hyre.
“In terms of balance, there’s no one
quite like Cadet Lloyd,” said Hyre.
“He’s an athlete and a scholar; he’s
involved with his church; and he’s a
class leader. Working with him has
made teaching more fun, and I’ve
learned as much from him as he’s
learned from me.”
Hyre said he’s enjoyed watching
Lloyd grow not only as a cadet but as a person, as well.
With his cadetship behind him, Lloyd will move to Charlottesville, where
he’ll work part-time as an energy engineer at the University of Virginia
while pursuing a fellowship for Christian lay leaders through the Reformed
Theology Seminary. Through the program, Lloyd will take classes, be
involved with the community and mentor a high school student.
“As I’ve found at VMI, I enjoy managing projects and people, and
I would like to become a technical manager or head up a research
and development group,” said Lloyd, who plans on pursuing masters’
degrees in science and business. “Meshing my engineering knowledge
with business skills would be a great combination for me.”
Mike Lloyd, Class of 2007 Valedictorian, speaks at graduation.
– VMI photo by Kevin Remington.
PAGE 10, THE INSTITUTE REPORT, JUNE 2007
Puller Award and
Scholarships Presented
By Scott Belliveau ‘83, VMI Foundation
On April 20, members of the
Old Dominion Chapter of the 1st
Marine Division Association were
in attendance at the presentation
of the annual Puller Award and
Puller Scholarships to cadets at a
luncheon attended by the chapter
members; representatives of the
Department of Naval Science,
led by Col. Bill Grace; the VMI
Foundation; and 18 cadets.
The Old Dominion Chapter’s
president, Bill Uehling, assisted
by Grace and Major Frank Diorio,
presented the awards. The Chesty
Puller Award – a Marine officer’s
sword – is presented to the top-standing
Marine-option cadet in
the graduating class. This year’s
recipient was Brian Kerrebrock
’07, who is a veteran of Operation
Iraqi Freedom and a sergeant in the Marine Corps Reserve. He was the
president of the VMI chapter of the Semper Fidelis Society and the cadet-in-
charge of the Special Actions Detachment, a cadet club that teaches
basic military tactics, survival, and
professionalism. Last summer, he was
named the top graduate of the Officer
Candidate School’s Platoon Leaders
Course program. Commissioned
as a second lieutenant, he will
soon report to The Basic School at
Quantico, Va.
This year, two cadets received Puller
Scholarships – Clinton R. Adams ’08,
who will attend Officer Candidate
School at Quantico this summer, and
Josef Schroeder ’09, who will attend
the Marines’ Mountain Warfare
School this year.
Grace spoke at the luncheon,
thanking the 1st Marine Division
Association for their continued
generosity toward VMI and, in
particular, the cadets who pursue
commissions in the Marine Corps.
He also pointed out that the three cadets who received awards were
representative of the many young men and women at VMI who are
pursuing a commission in the Marines, and doing so in time of war.
2007 recipients of the 1st Marine Division Association’s Puller
Award and Scholarships are seen here with the daughter of
Lewis B. Puller ’20, for whom the Award and Scholarships are
named, and two veterans who served under General Puller
in Korea. Left to right: Brian Kerrebrock ’07, recipient of
the Puller Award; Mrs. Virginia Dabney (General Puller’s
daughter); Mr. Duane Trowbridge; Mr. George Schaudel; Josef
Schroeder ’09; Clinton Adams ’08.
Post Briefs
Turner Speaks at Faculty Retreat
Col. Jim Turner ’65, professor of biology and chemistry and director
for undergraduate research, was a guest speaker at a faculty retreat
for the college of arts and sciences at Longwood University on May
11. Turner spoke about how VMI has integrated research into its
curriculum in support of Longwood’s attempt to review its curriculum
and establish academic core values.
Messimer Joins VMI Staff
Dr. Mollie Messimer has been appointed director for the Miller
Academic Center and coordinator of disabilities services. Messimer,
who has served as interim coordinator for disabilities services since
last fall, will hold the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Virginia
Militia.
Thompson Receives Harvard Library Fellowship
Lt. Col. Roger Thompson, associate professor of English, has been
awarded a month-long summer fellowship from the Houghton
Library at Harvard University. Thompson will have access to Ralph
Waldo Emerson’s manuscripts as he works on “Transcendentalist
Educational Agendas in the 19th Century.”
Sheldon Honored by VSSA
Col. Rose Mary Sheldon, head of the history department, received the
Virginia Social Science Association’s Scholar Award in History at its
80th annual meeting in March at the University of Richmond. Sheldon
also celebrates the release of Spies of the Bible, published this month
by Greenhill Books. The book highlights the importance of espionage
and traces the role intelligence has played from the Jewish exodus
from Egypt to the Bar Kochba Revolt. It is the first substantial work
to examine warfare in the ancient Near East and the crucial role of
intelligence gathering in the Holy Land.
Bissell Named Hall of Fame
Brig. Gen. Michael Bissell ‘61 was inducted into the U.S. Army Aviation
Hall of Fame in May. Bissell served two tours of duty as a combat
helicopter pilot in Vietnam and was nominated for the Medal of
Honor for his actions in evacuating a wounded soldier while under
heavy enemy fire. He served in a variety of positions at VMI, and was
instrumental in the integration of women in the Corps of Cadets. He
is currently commandant of VWIL at Mary Baldwin College.
THE INSTITUTE REPORT, JUNE 2007, PAGE 11
LaCerda and Wu Commissioned at White House
Army Sgt. Sara Wood of American Forces Press Service contributed to this report.
Two VMI graduates were
among 55 young men and women
receiving commissions as officers
in the U.S. Armed Forces in a
commissioning ceremony held at
the White House on May 17.
Defense Secretary Robert M.
Gates commissioned the cadets
and midshipmen at the White
House in a ceremony attended by
President Bush and other political
and military leaders.
Jason LaCerda, a resident of
Mahopac, N.Y., was commissioned
as a second lieutenant in the U.S.
Army. He received VMI’s First
Jackson-Hope Medal for highest
attainment in scholarship, and
the Society of Cincinnati Medal for
efficiency of service and excellence
of character. He earned a bachelor’s degree in modern languages and
cultures, with a double major in international studies and a minor in
military history. He was a distinguished graduate with Institute Honors
and was a Distinguished Military Graduate.
Colin Chung Ming Wu, a resident of
Foxboro, Mass., was commissioned as
an ensign in the U.S. Navy. He earned
a bachelor’s degree in mechanical
engineering, and graduated with
distinction.
The new officers represent all 50
states, four territories and the District
of Columbia. This is the first time a
joint ROTC commissioning ceremony
has been held, and the first time a
defense secretary has administered
the oath of commissioning. Previously,
the law required a commissioned
military officer to administer the
oath, but a change in the 2007
National Defense Authorization Act
allows the president, vice president
or secretary of defense to administer
the oath of commission or enlistment.
The scholarship funds for ROTC are provided willingly by the American
people, President Bush said, “and in return they ask one thing: when
their sons and daughters are put in harm’s way, they will be led by
officers of character and integrity.”
President Bush speaks at the White House commissioning
ceremony. Ensign Colin Wu is at the extreme left of the group
and 2nd Lt. Jason LaCerda is on the front row immediately to
the left of President Bush. – White House photo
Meaning of New Market Ceremony Clear to Cadets
By Robert Holland, Special Correspondent
Cadet Stephen Prugh ’07 said he
felt honored to have been chosen
by his company commander to
take part in the New Market roll
call. “Ever since Rat year,” he
commented, “VMI has stressed the
importance of that battle and the
sacrifice that those cadets made.”
On a bright, unseasonably warm
afternoon of May 15, the Corps of
Cadets commemorated the courage
and sacrifice of the cadets who
answered the call to duty at the
Battle of New Market 143 years
earlier. More than 2,000 members
of the VMI community and guests
attended.
The clear blue skies stood in
stark contrast to the drenching rains that turned the New Market field
of battle into a quagmire on May 15, 1864. The cadet/warriors dubbed
it “The Field of Lost Shoes” because the mud of a freshly plowed wheat
field had sucked the footware off so many of them.
Despite the adversity, the cadets played a vital role by filling in the
center of the Confederate ranks and turning the tide against the Union
forces. Their heroics marked the
only time the entire student body
of an American college had fought
together in a war. Victory came at a
price: 47 wounded and 10 dead.
The annual commemoration paid
dignified tribute to the fallen cadets.
The traditional New Market Prayer,
read by VMI Chaplain (Colonel)
James Park, hailed “the spirit of
VMI” having been “birthed in the
sacrifice of the Corps in battle.”
To begin the ceremony, the
Corps marched from the Barracks
to the parade ground – there
forming battalions centered on
“Virginia Mourning Her Dead,” the
monument sculpted by Sir Moses
Ezekiel (a New Market cadet, Class of 1866) and given to VMI to honor
the New Market cadets.
Then came the roll call of the 10 cadets who died at New Market. As
the company commanders called each name, designated cadets shouted
out crisply, “Died on the field of honor, Sir!” In turn, the company
Please see page 12
Cadet Sal Sferrazza, regimental commander, and Col. Tom
Trumps, commandant, place a wreath at Virginia Mourning
Her Dead. – VMI photo by Kevin Remington.
PAGE 12, THE INSTITUTE REPORT, JUNE 2007
Cadets Give Royal Salute
By Sherri Tombarge, Special Correspondent
Salutes abound on the VMI post during the month of May. This May,
however, a few very special salutes took place off post: on the fourth of
the month, 12 cadets saluted England’s Queen Elizabeth II.
The cadets traveled with 11 cadets from Virginia Tech’s corps to
Richmond to salute the queen in front of the state Capitol during her
recent visit to the U.S.
“The experience was great,” said cadet Tabitha Pinter. “It was
interesting to see all of the work put into her arrival.”
The cadets from VMI rehearsed with the Virginia Tech’s cadets after
arriving in Richmond and then had a few hours on their own, during
which time they observed the Secret Service and media preparing for
the queen’s visit.
“We were able to meet VMI alumni before the queen arrived and talk
with them about the preparations for the queen,” said Pinter.
At 4 p.m., when the queen arrived, the cadets formed two ranks and
saluted the queen as she walked between them.
Pinter noted that the Virginia Tech cadets had reserved an empty seat
for a cadet who was a casualty of the April 16 campus shootings.
Overall, it was a rewarding event for Pinter: “Being able to participate
in something like that was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that not many
people get the opportunity to do.”
commanders reported the names to the Regimental Commander who
then delivered the full report to the Commandant.
“It was an honor to be able to represent one of the fallen cadets
from the Battle of New Market today,” said Cadet Brian Renaghan ’07,
“Knowing that I am graduating from a school with such a rich history
of self-sacrifice makes my diploma even more meaningful to me. I am
glad I had the opportunity to show my respects to one of the VMI family
who had come before me.”
Other cadets who represented New Market cadets were: Gregory
Schwartz, Scott Pistochini, Thomas Pepka, Neal Sutliff, Trevor Mitchell,
Matthew Davis, Shu-Chang Liu, and Bryan Stange.
Following the roll call came floral tributes placed at the monument and
the grave markers of the 10 cadets, recital of the New Market Prayer, a
21-gun salute, an echo rendition of “Taps,” and the Regimental Band’s
stirring performance of “Amazing Grace.” The Corps then concluded the
40-minute ceremony by passing in review – marching from the parade
ground down Letcher Avenue, and smartly executing an “eyes-right”
salute while passing in front of the monument.
The New Market Ceremony and Parade has a special place in the
hearts of all cadets, but most especially for those who represented the
cadets who died from enemy fire.
Being able to step forward and yell the name of a fallen cadet, said
Prugh, “will always be one of the most memorable experiences of my
cadetship.”
Meaning of New Market
Continued from page 11
Please see page 16
13th Annual Legacy Day at VMI
By John J. Wranek III ’85, The VMI Alumni Association
The VMI Alumni Association
gathered together to celebrate not
only the past, but also the future of
VMI during its 13th annual Legacy
Day on March 31.
This hallmark occasion was
designed to provide a special VMI
venue for alumni and their children,
ages 9 to 14, to enjoy a day at the.
This year’s event drew nearly
300 participants from as far away
as Texas. Joe Howard ’51 from
Melbourne, Fla., brought the largest
group to Legacy Day this year, with
a total of 16 family members. He was joined by his wife, Frances, his
daughter, Rebecca Howard, and son-in-law, Tom Copp, from Houston,
Texas, and their three sons, Thomas, 12, and twins Louis and Oliver,
10. He was also joined by his daughter, Caroline, and her husband,
David Hepner, of Lynchburg, Va., and their two children, Alexander,
9, and Frances, 7. Lastly, he was
joined by his son, Lt. Cmdr. J. Colby
Howard ’92 and his wife, Adrienne,
from Alexandria, Va., and their three
children, Taylor, 12, Grant, 9, and
Julia, 8.
The day’s activities began in
Jackson Memorial Hall with a
sign-in, followed by a welcome
from VMI’s Superintendent, Gen.
J.H. Binford Peay III ‘62. Following
Peay’s remarks, the legacies were
treated to a demonstration by The
VMI Pipes and Drums.
After the band’s demonstration, the legacies formed up on the parade
ground and passed in review for their parents and guests with the VMI
Pipes and Drums and a detachment of cadets leading the way.
After the legacy parade, everyone moved into barracks for a cadet-
THE INSTITUTE REPORT, JUNE 2007, PAGE 13
Foundation DSA to Go to Norment
By Scott Belliveau ‘83, VMI Foundation
Thomas K. Norment, Jr. ’68 was selected by the Board
of Trustees to receive the VMI Foundation’s Distinguished
Service Award, the organization announced. The Foundation’s
highest honor, the Award is presented to those alumni and
friends of the Institute who have displayed exemplary
dedication to the Institute and its mission and worked
diligently on behalf of the VMI Foundation and VMI.
A resident of James City County, Norment has served in
the Virginia General Assembly since 1991, representing the
3rd Senatorial District. He is the majority Floor Leader as
well as the chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules,
and a member of three other Senate committees—Courts
of Justice, Finance, and Commerce and Labor—and the
Joint Rules Committee. Before his Senate service, he was a member of
the James City County Board of Supervisors from 1987-1991.
He also is the co-chairman of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation
and the chairman of the management committee that is providing
oversight of the celebration of the 400th anniversary of the founding of
Jamestown in 2007. Norment is the chairman of the Joint Legislative Audit
and Review Commission, the chairman of the Commission
on Electric Utility Restructuring, and a member of the
Virginia State Crime Commission and the State Water
Commission. From 1997 to 2005, he was a trustee of the
VMI Foundation.
A graduate of William & Mary School of Law, Norment
is a partner with the law firm of Kaufman & Canoles, P.C.
in Williamsburg and chairman of the Williamsburg Board
of TowneBank.
“Senator Norment exemplifies the commitment to
service that is the hallmark of VMI graduates,” said Pete
Ramsey ’72, president of the Foundation. “He has served
his community, his country, and the Commonwealth with
dedication and honor. As a Trustee of the VMI Foundation and a Virginia
senator, he has worked hard to ensure that the Institute can execute
its extraordinary mission of educating for leadership and service in a
singular way.”
Norment will receive the Distinguished Service Award at the annual
Founders Day Convocation on Nov. 9 at Cameron Hall.
Cadets Help Rescue Stranded Hikers in Canada
By Wendy Lovell, Special Correspondent
While cadets Jeremy Clement ’08 and
Mark Woodard ’08 traveled to Banff,
Canada, to conduct research, one of their
first tasks was to help rescue of a group
of stranded hikers on nearby Sulphur
Mountain.
Clement and Woodard were hiking the
Sulphur Mountain trail on May 14 as part
of their orientation to Banff when they
heard cries for help coming from a male
member of a disorientated group of Korean
tourists. About three-quarters of the way
up the mountain, they traversed a slope
through knee-deep snow in an effort to
find the tourists. Unable to reach them,
they alerted park wardens at the top of the
mountain, and the tourists were safely airlifted by helicopter from the
upper slopes within 45 minutes.
At one point, the eight hikers, who were part of a larger group of
about 20 tourists, decided to leave the main trail and became stranded
to the right of the gondola.
“This is the first time in all of my hiking and climbing experience that
I have come across a lost person or group,” said Woodard. “I have
been lost many times but never to the point of calling out for help, so
my initial reaction was how could someone be lost on a mountain that
is so frequently hiked – there is a gondola to the top, and the trail is
very well defined – but we decided to leave the trail to check it out.”
Woodard added that the language barrier and the terrain made
assessing the situation difficult, but once he and Clement determined no
one was injured, they decided to defer the rescue to park wardens.
“I don’t think we are heroes in any way,”
said Woodard. “We just did the right thing
when someone was in trouble.”
Clement agreed, adding his dismay that
another hiker heard their stranded cries but
did nothing to help.
“We are glad they got off the mountain in
good shape because they certainly were not
prepared for the below freezing temperatures
that came with nightfall and would have been
in serious trouble,” said Clement. “It is rather
disturbing to think that people ignore others
in need.”
The cadets are in Canada through June,
participating in the VMI-Banff Environmental
Institute, a research and writing program
that challenges them to apply their classroom learning to real world
situations. Their work is done by interning with local governmental
and non-profit organizations in Banff.
With the excitement of the rescue behind them, Clement and Woodard
have begun to focus on the feasibility of biodiesel production and use
in Banff and building on the research last summer of recent graduate
Adam Reel ’07. An electrical engineering major, Woodard will quantify
net greenhouse gas reductions under varying scenarios of biodiesel
combustion by local vehicle fleets and then propose a production
model based on conditions in the region. Clement, an economics
and business major, will develop a corresponding economic model.
If the results of both production and economic model analyses are
favorable, the two cadets will map out a business plan for the venture
and determine what knowledge gaps remain for future research.
Cadets Jeremy Clement, left, and Mark
Woodard stand at the top of Sulphur
Mountain soon after assisting in the rescue
of lost hikers. – Photo courtesy of Jeremy
Clement.
Thomas Norment
Alumni Review photo
PAGE 14, THE INSTITUTE REPORT, JUNE 2007
Engineering Students Design Car for Competition
By Wendy Lovell, Special Correspondent
This year, mechanical engineering
students switched gears in
designing a vehicle for the Society
of Automotive Engineers’ annual
design challenge. Their task was
to design and build a car for the
Baja Series in April at the University
of Central Florida in Ocala, a
more challenging event than the
Supermilage competition in which
VMI cadets typically take part.
“While we placed 49th out of
75 entries, the competition was
a homerun for us,” said Col. Tim
Hodges, head of the mechanical
engineering department. “The
Supermilage competition takes
place in Michigan in June, which makes it difficult for our graduates and
students to participate in. The Baja Series is a more difficult competition,
and we did well considering it was our first time.”
The Supermileage competition focuses on fuel efficiency, but in the
Baja Series, students are tasked to design and build an off-road vehicle
that will survive the severe punishment of rough terrain and water.
Participants must function as a team to not only design, build, test,
promote and race a vehicle within the limits of the rules, but also to
generate financial support for their project and manage their educational
priorities.
VMI’s entry was designed by 11 cadets under the direction of Hodges,
Lt. Col. Jon-Michael Hardin, Maj. Jay Sullivan, and Lab Mechanic Ron
Chandler. Recent graduate Trevor Mitchell ’07 served as lead engineer
and has taken away from the experience patience, persistence, and
determination. He hopes that in the future, engineering students from
other departments as well as business majors will get involved with the
project.
“Our team enjoyed looking at and
talking with other teams about their
designs,” said Mitchell. “This gave
the VMI team new and improved
ideas for future competitions. Also,
we enjoyed the water stability and
maneuverability event; having never
tested the vehicle in water prior to
competition, we were ecstatic to see
it float and move in water.”
Cadet Thomas Gottwald ’09 found
this project to be the highlight of the
year at VMI.
“I learned a lot more about practical
engineering and project management
then I probably would have learned
in the classroom,” he said. “I was in charge of the business end of
the project, and I had no idea how hectic and difficult acquisitions and
sponsorships could be. Also, I’ve been trying to learn how to weld for
the past two summers and finally learned how to during this project,
so that in itself made it all worth the while.”
Gottwald added that as first-time competitors, the VMI cadets didn’t
expect to pass the technical inspections and were relieved when they
did. Like Mitchell, he found the flotation test to be a high point.
Gottwald plans to take a more active role in the fabrication process of
next year’s car, and he has a few suggestions for his fellow teammates.
“Realistically, we’re going to have to change the entire design of the
car,” he said. “It needs to be more ergonomic and better to handle,
so weight, seat position and general shape are huge factors for next
year. We’ve got a laundry list of stuff to take care of, so it’ll be really
interesting to see how the car evolves.”
Superintendent Names Inspector General
The superintendent has named Col. Thomas B.
Moncure ’72 (U.S. Air Force, retired) to the newly
established position of Inspector General (IG) for the
VMI Post, effective July 1.
Reporting directly to the superintendent, the IG
is charged with inquiring into and reporting on
matters pertaining to mission performance, efficiency,
discipline, morale, effectiveness, and esprit de corps
of the VMI community. The IG will be the Institute’s
focal point for receiving complaints and investigating
matters as required by the superintendent, and
making recommendations consistent with findings.
Additionally, Col. Moncure will serve as the Title
IX Coordinator, ensuring compliance with appropriate regulatory
guidance and providing oversight to VMI’s grievance
procedure. He will outline training requirements in the
areas of discrimination and gender relations.
In the past, the responsibilities of the new IG position
have been assigned as additional duties and completed
on a part-time basis. Most recently, Col. L.E. Hurlbut has
performed these duties in addition to her primary duties
as deputy commandant for cadet life.
Col. Moncure has been at VMI for nine years, serving
previously as the professor of aerospace studies from
1998 to 2002 and then as the deputy commandant for
cadet government from 2002 to the present. He will
continue in his position as the superintendent’s liaison
to the Parents Council, a position he has held since 2005.
Col. Thomas Moncure
The Baja car is tested on the Parade Ground.
VMI photo by Kevin Remington
THE INSTITUTE REPORT, JUNE 2007, PAGE 15
Laundry Services Gets It Sorted
By Lori Stevens, Special Correspondent
If you think it’s hard to separate your
whites from your colors, imagine doing
that with 20,000 pounds of laundry
every week.
That is just part of what the 38-
member crew of John Wilson’s team in
VMI’s laundry services accomplishes.
With military precision, VMI’s laundry
services “take in any where between
1,100 and 1,200 laundry bags per
week, including four to five thousand
pairs of white pants and three thousand
white shirts,” says Wilson.
Cadets have unlimited laundry
service, with drop off on Mondays and
Thursdays. White pants and shirts are
returned on a daily basis, while laundry
bags, with sheets, towels and gym and under clothes, are returned weekly
on Fridays.
Sometimes it may require a 10-hour day to finish the job, “but if we
have to work over time we do it; each week is different,” Wilson adds.
Home football weekends produce a lot more white uniforms to wash.
Wilson’s team lives up to the “services” part of their name.
“Cadets might come by and request we press a shirt on the spot for a
special meeting, and we will do that while the cadet waits,” Wilson says.
When the laundry comes in it is sorted at special tables, where a
cadet’s items are placed into several net bags that are then tagged with
the cadet’s number. Laundry Services is responsible for making and
sewing in all these tags into the new clothing for incoming rats. All the
tags relating to specific items are also entered into the computer system,
Wilson notes.
The laundry is weighed before being placed into the machines to make
sure they stay balanced. Laundry Services has a one hundred-pound,
a four hundred-pound and two six hundred-pound washers. All the
machinery is maintained on site and general maintenance – replacing
worn parts, greasing and oiling the machines – takes place during the
summer.
“We keep spare parts for all the equipment, and also have reserve
machines so we can keep going if something breaks down,” Wilson
explains. “If we close down for just two hours we lose more than 60
[work] hours, and we can’t afford that.”
Upstairs, a team of three women – Pat Vest, Debbie Shiflett and
Tammy Hickman – works seamlessly at the Unipress Shirt Pressing
Machine. One woman presses the sleeves
and collars, one handles the body of shirt,
and one folds the pressed shirts.
“Folding is the most difficult part of this
station, it is hard to keep up,” says Wilson.
Each station has an hourly quota; these
women are required to press 120 shirts
per hour, although Wilson says that some
teams can manage 150.
Everyone is cross-trained in case
someone is sick and needs to be
replaced.
“These women are on their feet the
entire day; it’s hard work,” admits Wilson.
All the staff is rotated throughout the
different stations.
“We try to keep things fair,” he says.
“For instance everyone will have a week-long shift on the dryers, then
they won’t have that rotation again for a month.”
Workers load and unload the bank of dryers , while the red T-shirts
and gym clothes are folded on long tables. Further into the vast room,
“shakers” arrange pants before they are placed into the hot press. One of
the shakers is Peggy Sensibaugh, one of Wilson’s longest serving employees,
who he says is also one of the most dedicated and hard working.
One worker stands at the center of a triangle of three pant presses.
Each 30-minute shift has a 25-pant quota. Wilson’s team also includes
three full-time dry cleaners who take care of all the wool items, including
coatees and overcoats. Even with fans running continually, the heat builds
up quickly. Yet the workers cheerfully press on.
The last few weeks of school, when everyone else starts to relax, are
the busiest for Laundry Services. First they take in all the uniforms not
being used and the winter wear to be dry cleaned.
“Graduation can be overwhelming; we are really swamped for several
hours,” admits Wilson. “As soon as the ceremony is over graduating
cadets can’t unload their laundry quickly enough. We are here at least
four hours taking it all in,” adds Wilson.
Wilson’s team will get it all finished by June 8 this year, when staff
leaves for summer vacation. Every item will be washed, ironed, and
packed for storage to be ready for next year. When all is said and done
14,000 pieces of uniform will be stored and ready for the Corps when
they return.
“This room won’t be able to hold one more thing, it will be bursting
at the seams,” says Wilson.
Debbie Shifflett and Pat Vest work in the Shirt Unit.
Photo by Lori Stevens.
The General Assembly approved the governor’s proposed 2006-2008
biennial budget, including some additional annual state support for
UMA. The legislature also approved VMI’s special request to purchase
the new Army Combat Uniforms to replace the discontinued Battle Dress
Uniforms.
Knick is hopeful that additional state support will be forthcoming for
this important program.
“Full state support for UMA is critical as VMI increases the number
of graduates ready to serve the commonwealth and the nation as citizen
soldiers, and will help minimize VMI’s tuition and fee increases which
will support the state’s goals for accessibility and affordability,” he
says.
Additional State UMA Funding
Continued from page 2
PAGE 16, THE INSTITUTE REPORT, JUNE 2007
Parents Council Closes Out Busy Year
By John and Jenny Daniel, Co-Presidents, Parents Council
The Parents Council held its second annual meeting on Feb. 17
culminating a busy season of activities and establishing key leadership
positions for the 2007-2008 academic year. Despite a fierce snow and
ice storm that had gridlocked much of the country the previous week,
almost two-thirds of the membership attended the meeting held in
Moody Hall.
Participants heard Superintendent General J. H. Binford Peay, III
’62 give a report on the progress of Vision 2039. Peay also introduced
the newly appointed commandant, Col. Thomas Trumps.
Just before lunch, members of Council learned more about the
facilities improvements of Vision 2039 when they were given a “VIP”
bus tour of the Post, including the renovations in Maury Brooke Hall
and the new athletic fields/master plan for North Post.
New Offi cers
Bill and Kristy Whitsitt of McLean, Va., were elected co-presidents
for the year 2007-2008. They are the parents of Cadet Jeremy Whitsitt
’08.
The Council also elected Cherry and Ric Tharp of McGaheysville,
Va., as co-vice presidents for 2007-2008. They are the parents of
Cadet Zachary Tharp ’09.
Those elected as committee chairmen include Mr. and Mrs.
Richard Travis, activities committee; Mr. and Mrs. Allen Simpson,
recruiting; Mr. and Mrs. Bill Collier, development; and Jim Haviley,
communications.
Also at the February meeting, the members of the Council in the
class of 2007 were recognized by VMI for their service. On behalf
of Peay, Col. Tom Moncure ’72, the superintendent’s liaison to the
Council, presented 2007 members with a certificate acknowledging
their service.
In addition, Dr. and Mrs. John Daniel received a gift for their service
in the past year as co-presidents. They were similarly honored by the
VMI board of visitors on May 5.
Upcoming Events
The Council is now heavily into final planning for summer orientation
during the Summer Transition Program and for the late August pre-matriculation
social, as well as assistance with Matriculation Day
itself.
Members of the Parents Council are also following up on requested
contacts by those who have received appointments for next year. As is
typical, much discussion and clarification is being offered to parents of
those who plan to matriculate in August – a critical service provided
by the Council.
A Busy Year
This year’s Council activities included significant assistance provided
to VMI for Open House events, attendance at recruiting functions,
provision for the Parents Council Tent at football games and many
hours spent on the phone with parents of rats and prospective
cadets.
“The Parents Council has given most generously of their time and
resources in furthering the mission of VMI,” observed Moncure. “They
have provided significant support in attracting new cadets to VMI and
in addressing the needs of current cadets and their families. Also, in
partnership with the VMI Foundation, the Parents Council helped
launch The Society of VMI Family and Friends, to help VMI provide
the same, high-quality education for cadets in the future.”
guided tour and then enjoyed lunch in Crozet Hall. Afternoon activities
included championships pitting VMI’s men and women track and field
against military academies at Foster Stadium, and a VMI baseball game
pitting the Keydets against Savannah State at Gray-Minor Stadium.
Finally, Legacy Day 2007 concluded with refreshments, pictures and
provisional appointment applications taken at Moody Hall. Provisional
appointments can be made by E-mailing Martha Potter at pottermc@
vmi.edu in the VMI admissions office. The following information is
required: name of appointee, address, date of birth, name of alumnus
making request and class, alumnus’ relationship to student and the
address to which the provisional appointment should be sent.
Legacy Day was founded by alumni, including Kurt Iversen ’85, who
died in 2002. In 1994, while working in The VMI Alumni Association,
Iversen reflected on his fond childhood memories of visiting VMI with
his father, Ken Iversen ’54. Iversen and his father would meet some of
his father’s Brother Rats and their kids at VMI. They would spend the
night in Moody Hall and then the day at VMI with their fathers, sharing
stories about the Institute and life spent in barracks.
It was these happy memories that led The VMI Alumni Association
to create Legacy Day with the hope that similar experiences could be
created for other children of alumni. Although Iversen is gone, his legacy
continues as Cindy Iversen and her two boys Kenny, 13, and Kurtie, 11,
attend Legacy Day every year.
To see photos of this year’s Legacy Day, visit www.vmialumni.org and
click on New Cadet Recruiting.
Legacy Day 2008 is scheduled for March 29, 2008. Alumni who wish
to have their children invited to this event, should ensure that the VMI
Alumni Association has their names in the alumni database. To do this,
call (800) 444-1839.
Continued from page 12
Legacy Day at VMI
THE INSTITUTE REPORT, JUNE 2007, PAGE 17
Construction Projects to Take Shape Over Summer
By Lori Stevens, Special Correspondent
When cadets return for classes
in the fall some of the construction
goals of Vision 2039 will start
to be more visible on Post. Over
the summer the framework of
both the new barracks and the
Leadership and Ethics Center will
take shape.
“We will begin to see the actual
structures in steel and concrete.
The shapes of the buildings will be
better defined,” says Dale Brown,
director of construction.
Many faculty and staff members
will notice that offices are no
longer quite as tight as they had been during the swing space shuffle.
Renovations will be complete at Mallory Hall, allowing the math and
physics department to move back in. This will free up classroom and
office space in Nichols for the engineering department.
“Engineering will finally have the full use of the Nichols expansion,
since the building will no longer be needed for swing space,” adds
Brown. The Air Force ROTC will take over the space that the math
department vacates at 320 Institute Hill, allowing renovations to
commence on Kilbourne Hall. At Kilbourne, the infill will be closed
in and near completion when VMI
starts up again after the summer.
With the Mallory Hall renovations
complete, the area behind Mallory
that has been occupied by contractors
will be cleared, providing about 20
additional parking spaces. The area
will also be repaved and opened
back up to normal traffic between
South Institute Hill and Engineering
Drive, relieving traffic and pedestrian
disruption. Main Street, which
the contractors have been using
for parking, will also become less
congested.
One of the main changes on post that should please everyone will be
the increased availability of parking. Approximately 130 new spaces have
been created between the nose-in parking along the Parade Ground
and the new North Institute Hill parking lot, which have both been
completed.
In general, Brown says, the post will be more open and less congested
in the fall. Much of the inconvenience associated with the renovation
projects will have been relieved.
Leadership and Ethics Center construction – VMI staff photo
Gov. Kaine Celebrates Graduates, Citizen-Soldiers
Continued from page 1
Gov. Kaine delivers his commencement address to the Class
of 2007. – VMI photo by Kevin Remington.
Graduates celebrate at the conclusion of the gradation
ceremony. – VMI photo by Kevin Remington.
The day before, 51 percent of the class commissioned into the U.S.
military, an achievement Kaine applauded, as well.
Like Kaine, VMI Valedictorian Michael Lloyd of Saline, Mich.,
challenged his fellow classmates to make a difference in the new lives
they will face upon graduation. He along with Class President Jamaal
Walton of Virginia Beach and Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III, superintendent
of VMI, addressed the audience.
Special awards presented during the ceremony included the Second
Jackson-Hope Medal for second highest attainment in scholarship to
Cadet Richard Meredith Jr. of Norfolk. The First Jackson-Hope Medal
for highest attainment in scholarship and the Society of Cincinnati Medal
for efficiency of service and excellence of character were presented to
Cadet Jason LaCerda of Mahopac, N.Y.
PAGE 18, THE INSTITUTE REPORT, JUNE 2007
Commissioning Cadets Recognized
During NROTC Formal Dining-Out
By Lt. Ted Achimasi, Naval ROTC
The NROTC unit held its annual Dining-Out Ceremony at Evans
Dining Hall on the campus of Washington and Lee on April 13th. It
was attended by 180 cadets and guests.
This year’s guest of honor was Rear Admiral Andy Brown ’80. Rear
Admiral Brown also had the pleasure of dining with his son, Cadet 3/C
Jonathan C. Brown. Additionally, the 39 cadets who later received their
commission on May 15th were presented their first set of rank insignia,
with the Navy options having theirs dipped in the waters of the seven
seas and the Marine options having theirs dipped in the sands of Iwo
Jima.
They also received a unit coin with their initials engraved on the
back when they were commissioned. Along with honoring individual
achievement, the dining-out is an opportunity to bid farewell to
departing officers. Retiring faculty member Captain Michael Sexton
was recognized by the NROTC staff for his 17 years of service to the
unit.
Cadet Golike is congratulated by Rear Admiral Brown. Also
pictured is Colonel Grace, Captain Sexton, and Commander
Martin. – Photo courtesy of Naval ROTC.
Naval Service Commissions 35 New Offi cers
By Lt. Laura Niebel, Naval ROTC
This year’s Joint ROTC
Commissioning ceremony was
held on May 15th in Jackson
Memorial Hall. The Naval
ROTC Unit was pleased to
commission 13 ensigns in the
Navy and 22 second lieutenants
in the Marine Corps.
During the ceremony Lt. Gen.
Frances C. Wilson administered
the oath of office to the new
Marine Corps officers and
Rear Adm. Terence E. McKnight
‘78, administered the oath of
office to the new Navy officers.
Following the formal ceremony
the new officers moved to Memorial Gardens, where they took the
oath of office with the commissioning officer of their choice, had their
new rank pinned on their uniforms by their family and loved ones and
received their first salute as a commissioned officer.
The commissioning ceremony was the culmination in the four year
journey at Virginia Military Institute for these cadets and their Naval ROTC
instructors. It is important to point out that six additional members
of the Class of 2007 will be commissioned later this summer (four
ensigns and two Marine second lieutenants). Included in this group
of four ensigns is Mr. Colin Wu who was commissioned by President
Bush during a ceremony at the White House.
The new Marine Corps officers
will all report to Quantico, Va.,
to undergo a rigorous training
curriculum at The Basic School
(TBS) for approximately six
months. Following this training the
second lieutenants will select their
Military Occupational Specialty and
continue along the selected career
path. Five of these young men were
fortunate to be selected to become
aviators and, after TBS, will head to
Pensacola, Fla., to train alongside
their Navy counterparts.
Of the new Navy officers, four
were selected to go on to flight
training; three to become naval aviators and one to become a naval flight
officer. Four ensigns will become surface warfare officers. The ships
they have selected are USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) and USS Mason (DDG
87) both in Norfolk, Va., USS Momsen (DDG 92) in Everett, Wash., and
USS Simpson (FFG 56) in Mayport, Fla.
Four ensigns will be attending naval nuclear power training in
Charleston, S.C., to become submarine warfare officers. Last but
not least, one ensign was selected to undertake basic underwater
demolition/SEAL training in Coronado, Calif., in order to pursue his
dream of becoming a Navy SEAL.
THE INSTITUTE REPORT, JUNE 2007, PAGE 19
Air Force Commissions 30 New Offi cers
By Capt. Steve Bolster, Air Force ROTC
Air Force ROTC commissioned 30 second lieutenants on May 16. By
the end of fiscal year 2007, 38 VMI cadets will have entered active duty
as Air Force commissioned officers.
The new Air Force officers begin challenging new careers in wide array
of Air Force specialty areas. Twelve will attend pilot training and one
navigator training. Additionally, four will go into the space and missile
operations field, two enter both aircraft maintenance and logistical
readiness, and five will become engineers in diverse disciplines including
civil, mechanical, and developmental engineering. There are also three
scientists entering the analytical and behavioral fields. The remaining
graduates begin their duties in combat rescue, acquisition management,
contracting, intelligence, security forces, and communications.
Each new lieutenant has displayed the attributes worthy of earning
an Air Force commission and joins the proud heritage of American
Airman,
The Air Force ROTC Distinguished Graduates from the Class of ’07
are Salvatore Sferrazza, Jonathan Schmidt, Vincent Noel, and Anastasia
Kovarik. Air Force ROTC Detachment Commander Col. James O. Tubbs
presented each cadet with a certificate of achievement to recognize
their outstanding accomplishments during a recent detachment award
ceremony. This recognition is a permanent part of their military
record and represents the tremendous effort and performance they all
achieved.
Brig. Gen. Darren W. McDew ’82 met with cadets and offered
an abundance of encouragement and counsel for the soon-to-be
officers. Later, he administered the oath of office to the commissioning
graduates at JM Hall. Gen. McDew then took part in the Air Force ROTC
commissioning ceremony in Memorial Garden.
As we say farewell to the Class of ’07, the Air Force ROTC Department
also says goodbye to Capt. Sandra Lange. She begins a new journey with
the civilian sector in San Antonio, Texas. We want to take this time to
say thank you for her service to our country and to the Air Force.
The newest members of the Air Force ROTC staff are arriving this
summer. They include Maj. Stephani Hunsinger, a development engineer
transferring from Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., and, Capt. Sabrina
Sackman, a civil engineer coming from Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas.
We look forward to serving with them and continuing our tradition of
excellence in all we do.
New second lieutenants and members of the Air Force ROTC unit at the commissioning ceremony. – VMI photo by Kevin Remington.
cadets from the Air Force ROTC Southeast Region, the largest cadet
population in AFROTC, selected to compete for the national Air Force
ROTC Cadet of the Year Award.
Sferrazza dazzles not just at VMI but in every environment. He has
served for six years in the New York Air National Guard, where he was
deployed overseas, made staff sergeant in record time, and was the top
graduate from Airman Leadership School.
His greatest challenge came in March 2006 when he competed with 18
Air Force officers, enlisted members, Air Force ROTC cadets, U.S. Army
Rangers, and other services’ Special Operation members for placement
into the 13-month Air Force Combat Rescue Officer (CRO) training
pipeline. The one-week elimination phase at Fairchild Air Force Base,
Wash., pushed candidates to the edge with intense physical, mental, and
psychological training. In the end, only six earned the opportunity to
attend CRO training at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. He’s earned the
distinct honor of being the first VMI cadet ever to be selected for the
Combat Rescue Officer career field while still a cadet.
Central to all his accomplishments is his character. Sferrazza is
recognized by all for his equanimity, integrity, discipline, dedication,
and much more. He embodies and embraces everything outstanding
the Armed Services stand for. He is an American airman: wingman,
Leader, Warrior.
Maj. Randy Maraj and Capt. Steve Bolster contributed to this report.
Continued from page 5
Sferrazza Sets the Standard
PAGE 20, THE INSTITUTE REPORT, JUNE 2007
Walter Reed Among Stops In Glee Club’s Tour
A performance for wounded servicemen and women at Walter Reed
Army Medical Hospital, as well as performances at several locations
on the Mall, were highlights of the VMI Glee Club’s trip to Washington,
D.C., the weekend of March 2-4.
Col. John Brodie, director of the Glee Club, said he was approached
by several patients at Walter Reed who said they had enjoyed having
young visitors their age at the hospital. After the Sunday concert, the
cadets joined the soldiers for a meal.
Performances the previous day, Saturday, had taken place at the
Jefferson Memorial, the Iwo Jima Monument, and on the steps of the
U.S. Capitol.
A poignant stop at the Arlington National Cemetery on Saturday
included a visit to several of the graves of VMI graduates who have been
killed during the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The club also performed for students at the George Marshall High
School in Vienna, Va., on Friday, and sang at the afternoon service at
the National Shrine at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on the
campus of the Catholic University of America. Celebrating the Mass was
Father John Shimotsu ’85, who is also a lieutenant commander in the
U.S. Navy.
The cadets concluded the weekend with a performance at the
U.S. Marine Corps Museum in Quantico, Va., which opened last
November.
–Information provided by the Regimental Band.
NCAA Declares VMI Basketball Statistical
Champions in Six Categories
The NCAA in early May made official what VMI
hoops fans had known for a long time. VMI was
statistically ranked No. 1 in the nation in several
categories for the 2006-07 season.
VMI was declared the 2006-07 stat champion in four
team categories and two individual categories.
VMI ranked first in Division I in scoring offense
(100.9 PPG), three point field goals (13.4) made
per game, assists per game (14.8), and steals per
game (13.4).
Individually, junior forward Reggie Williams was
declared the scoring champion in Division I after
averaging 28.1 points per game. Sophomore guard
Travis Holmes captured the steals per game statistical
championship with 3.4 per game.
“I am very proud of our guys,” said head coach
Duggar Baucom. “Playing together as a team and with a lot heart they
accomplished some very memorable feats this year. Congratulations to
Reggie and Travis on their achievements. They both
had awesome years and would be the first to say that
their teammates played a large role in their individual
accomplishments.”
VMI basketball enjoyed a banner year in 2006-07.
Using an up-tempo system for most of the season, the
Keydets won the most games (14) in nine years and
advanced to the championship game of the Big South
Tournament. The Keydets also set new NCAA season
marks in three-pointers, both made and attempted
(442 of 1383), 3-pointers made per game (13.4)
and total steals (490).
Williams became the second VMI basketball player to
lead the nation in scoring after Jason Conley paced the
scoring charts as a freshman during the 2001-2002
season (29.3 PPG). Travis Holmes became the first
Keydet basketball player to lead the nation in steals.
VMI led the nation in steals and
three other team categories.
– VMI Sports Information
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