Institute Report. April 15, 1998

              In this edition . .. I General Assembly wrap-up .......... 2
Spiegel to visit Army ROTC .......... 2
Cadet is Truman Finalist ............ 3
Careers Program inaugurated ..... 3
Marshall ROTC Award Seminar ... 3
Reunion and Finals Schedule ...... 4
Phi Eta Sigma established .......... 5
Corps promotions ........................ 5
Spring FTX .................................. 6
Investment Club banquet ............. 8
Cadets join in Search/Rescue ...... 8
Panel Discussion ......................... 9
OGA President ............................. 9
ROTC corner .............................. 10
Chamber Players concert ........... 11
Potpourri ................................... 11
Regimental Band active ............. 11
VMI Calendar of Events ............. 12
Breakout '98 -A mass of upperclassmen on and atop Breakout Hill help "Rats· reach their final
destination becoming members of the Class of 2001. The annual ceremony marked the end of
the "Ratline" which this year was the second longest since 1968.
Rocco Conte Mediterranean Scholarship Established
A new scholarship which will provide financial aw.1rds to VMI cadets who study
abroad in the countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea has been established by Daniel
R. Conte, VMI Class of 1936. The scholarship is named in honor of Mr. Conte's late
father, Rocco Conte, a native of Italy who immigrated to the United States and became
a successful businessman while maintaining ties to his birthplace.
The Conte Scholarship will provide stipends for tuition, related travel and lodging
for cadets studying in Mediterranean countries, with first preference to liberal arts
majors. Recipients of the scholarship will be determined by the VMI Foreign Study
Committee.
Rocco Conte was born in Sora, Province of Caserta Italy, in 1884. He immigrated
to the United States through Ellis Island in 1905, found a construction job on the
Kensico Dam in Ossining, New York, and studied English at night.
Returning to New York City late in 1907, he met Michelina Amorso at Holy Rosary
Church and the couple married in February 1908. Mrs. Conte continued working at a
local dress manufacturing company, and Mr. Conte worked at Stolz's Casket Company.
Over the years, the couple had four children, two of whom survived to adulthood.
After a year at Stolz's, Mr. Conte decided to open his own casket factory, specializing
in small children's caskets for which there was an especially large demand because of
the influenza epidemic. He started in a storefront and by 1914 was established as a
dependable and respected supplier. Eventually, Mr. Conte moved to a large
manufacturing facility and became a leader in the production of burial caskets, offering
a full line of caskets and distributing them in 17 states. He also invested in real estate.
Of his successful ventures, Mr. Conte was most proud of his philanthropic role in
the rebuilding of the hospital in Sora, Italy, after World War II. Mr. Conte passed away
in 1960, and Mrs. Conte died in 1980.
His son Daniel graduated from VMI with a degree in history, having played football
and run track for three years. During World War II, Daniel Conte served for four years
with the US Army (Cavalry) and was awarded the Bronze Star.
Daniel Conte is the retired president of R. Conte, Inc., manufacturer of burial
caskets, and a resident of Titusville, Florida.
The Rocco Conte Scholarship is now available for awarding to qualified cadets.
2 The Institute Report
Thirty-eight VMI alumni of general or flag rank pose for a photo with VMI Superintendent Major
General Josiah Bunting 11/. The alumni attended the March 27-28 General Officer Conference
held on the VMI Post.
General Assembly Wrap-Up
The 1998 General Assembly session was good to VMI. The most significant
provision in the 1999-2000 state budget is the appropriation of $10.2 million for the
complete renovation of Scott Shipp Hall. Another major project, wiring of barracks for
the network, was approved as a revenue bond issue in the amount of $2.4 million. The
debt service on this bond issue will be paid by the VMI Foundation, Inc.; this measure
is an amendment to the current budget, allowing construction to begin immediately
rather than having to wait until the new fiscal year begins july 1. The system will be
operational by fall.
The General Assembly also approved salary raises for state employees in both
years of the budget biennium. Effective 25 November 1998, full-time faculty will receive
a raise of 3.6 percent; part-time and administrative faculty will receive a raise of 3.1
percent; and classified employees will receive a raise of 2.25 percent with possible
salary awards of 4 percent for those rated "exceptional" and 2 percent for those rated
"exceeds expectations." The General Assembly has provided funding for classified
employee raises; all other raises will be funded from increases in out-of-state tuition.
In addition to the generous funding for capital projects, the General Assembly
granted general fund increases to VMI's budget of $94,423 each year of the biennium
for technology support and $60,000 each year of the biennium for assimilation.
As these funding appropriations show, there is tremendous support for VMI within
the General Assembly. Groups of cadets who made visits to the General Assembly
were warmly received, and the presentation of copies of The Institute to all of the
legislators was one of the highlights of the session according to many Richmond sources.
VMI also received many compliments on the success of the assimilation program. All
in all, the 1998 General Assembly session was a great success for VMI and indeed, all
citizens of Virginia.
April 15, 1998
Spiegel to visit
Army ROTC
Jayson L. Spiegel, Acting Assistant
Secretary of the Army for Manpower &
Reserve Affairs, will visit VMI's ROTC
department on Apri I 21 . Spiegel has served
in this position since November 1997.
Spiegel is the Army's chief Human
Resource Management official. He is
responsible for all Army military and
civilian personnel policy and is the senior­most
advocate for the Reserve
components. He oversees all Army pol icy
involving training, force readiness, health
care and quality of life. Spiegel also
supervises the Board for Correction of
Military Records and similar agencies.
Prior to being named to his current
position, he served as the Deputy Assistant
Secretary for Force Management,
Manpower & Resources.
Prior to joining the Department of the
Army, Spiegel was a partner in the law firm
of jordan Coyne & Savits. He represented
clients in professional liability,
environmental and commercial litigation
throughout the Baltimore and Washington
D.C. area. He also represented clients in
national security law matters, including
personnel and base closure actions.
A graduate of Georgetown University
and the University of Virginia School of
Law, Spiegel is a military intelligence officer
in the U.S. Army Reserve and served on
active duty in support of Operations Desert
Shield and Desert Storm.
([[lje Jfnstitute llteport
Editor: .................................... Burton R. Floyd, III
Supervising Editor: ................. Col. Mike Strickler
Contributing writers: .......................... Chris Clark
Tom Joynes
Maj. Chuck Steenburgh
Printed by: The News-Gazette, Lexington, Va.
The Institute Report is'pubtlshed by the VMI Public
Relations Office. E[''' , e p~i,nted during the
elations Office,
"''''"'J
Telephone 540-464-7207
Fax 540-464-7583
E-mail:VMIReport@vmi.edu
April 15, 1998
Cadet chosen as Truman
Scholarship Finalist
Cadet, William B. Kincaid '99, an
international studies major from
Richmond, was one of 193 students
chosen from 137 U.S. colleges and
universities as Finalists for the 1998
Truman Scholarships. He was interviewed
on March 4 in Washington, D.C.
Finalists competed for 75
Scholarships. They were elected on the
basis of leadership potential, intellectual
ability, and likelihood of "making a
difference." Truman Scholarships provide
up to $30,000-$3,000 for the senior year
and $27,000 for two or three years of
graduate study.
The Truman Scholarship Foundation
was established by Congress in 1975 as
the official federal memorial to honor our
thirty-third President. The Foundation
awards scholarships for college students
to attend graduate school in preparation
for careers in government or elsewhere in
public service. The activities of the
Foundation are supported by a special trust
fund in the US Treasury.
The 193 Finalists for 1998 Truman
Scholarships were selected from among
676 candidates nominated by 353
colleges and universities. The selection
was made by an 18-member committee
composed of senior officials from academe
or public service and by former Truman
Scholarship recipients. Finalists were
selected largely on the basis of leadership
abilities, academic performance and
potential, community service records, and
demonstrated commitment to public
service.
The 1998 Truman Scholarship
recipients will assemble May 24 for a
week-long leadership development
program at William jewell College in
Liberty, Mo. They will receive their awards
in a special ceremony at the Harry S.
Truman Library in Independence, Mo., on
May 31, 1998.
Virginia Military Institute 3
VMI Inaugurates Careers Program
On April 20 and 21, the inaugural events of the VMI Careers Symposium Series
will be held. These events are sponsored jointly by VMI's Office of Career Services and
the Department of Economics and Business.
The high I ights of this year's program are a keynote address and a panel discussion.
The Honorable john 0. Marsh, jr., current holder of the Stanley Professorship in Ethics
in Integrity at VMI and former Secretary of the Army and four term Virginia Congressman,
will be the keynote speaker. Marsh will address the participants at 8 p.m. on April 20
in jackson Memorial Hall. Secretary Marsh's topic will be "Strength of Character as a
Career Competitive Advantage."
The panel discussion will be held at 9:30a.m. on April21, also in jackson Memorial
Hall. This discussion will be moderated by Lt. Col. R. Samuel Ratcliffe, director of
career services at VMI, and will feature a panel of experts from around the state. The
topic of the discussion will be "Preparing for the Technological Challenges and
Opportunities of the 21st Century."
The symposium series is made possible through a permanent endowment fr~m
john W. and jane M. Roberts of Richmond, Va. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts founded Sol1te
Corporation of Richmond, a provider of construction and building materials. Solite
Corporation has gained reknown for its environmental record in pollution control,
recycling, and land reclamation. Mr. Roberts is a former member of the VMI Board of
Visitors and currently sits on the VMI Foundation Board of Trustees.
All events are free and open to the public. For further information, contact Major
Clifford West at 464-7449.
George C. Marshall
ROTC Award Seminar
The 1998 Marshall ROTC Award Seminar takes place in Lexington, April 14-17.
Serving as co-chairmen for the seminar are General Gordon R. Sullivan, USA (Ret.)
and VMI alumnus, General j.H. Binford Peay Ill '62, USA (Ret.). Among the speakers
for the 1998 seminar are General William Hartzog, Commanding General of the Army's
Training and Doctrine Command; General David Bramlett, Commanding General,
U.S. Army Forces Command and other senior leaders of the Army.
More than 260 senior cadets will participate in three days of extensive, in-depth
discussions on issues which relate to the national security of the United States. Each of
the young men and women will receive the prestigious Marshall Award which is
presented on the basis of outstanding achievement in the areas of academics, leadership,
physical fitness and extracurricular activities. VMI's Marshall Award recipient is Mark
S. Pruitt, Jr. '98 of Onancock, Va. joining the Marshall ROTC Award winners at the
Seminar will be representatives of the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Each award winner will participate in two roundtable discussion groups from among
the eighteen topics offered. Topics this year include "The Persian Gulf: Continuing
Strife; Democracy in Russia and other States of the Former USSR; NATO: Its Relevance
in the Post Cold War Era, to be moderated by Col. Wayne C. Thompson, professor of
political science at VMI; Ethics: A Special Trust for the Military Officer; and George C.
Marshall: An Officer's Character."
General Marshall, VMI class of 1901, was an extraordinary man. He served this
Nation as Chief of Staff of the Army and Secretary of both State and Defense. The
Marshall ROTC Award and Seminar are intended to be reflective of the values he
portrayed continuously during his lifetime- professional excellence, calm leadership,
personal integrity and selfless service to the nation. Ultimately, it was those values
that earned him the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1953. The relatively short speech he
presented at Harvard University in 1947 outlined a program of economic assistance to
war-torn Europe and changed the face of the world. That program eventually became
known as the Marshall Plan and provided more than $13 billion worth of assistance to
European nations recovering from the destruction of World War II.
Since 1978 The George C. Marshall ROTC Award Seminar has provided a valuable
training and educational experience. The 1998 Seminar continues this outstanding
tradition.
The Institute Report April 15, 1998
THURSDAY, 23 APRIL
6- 8 p.m ................ Alumni Early-Arrival Cocktail Party, Moody Hall
FRIDAY, 24 APRIL
8 a.m. - 11 p.m ...... Preston Library open
8 a.m. - 7 p.m ........ Keydet Bookstore open, Lejeune Hall
8:30a.m ................. Keydet Kanteen open, Lejeune Hall
9 a.m.- 5 p.m ......... VMI Museum open, Jackson Memorial Hall
9 a.m.- 5 p.m ......... George C. Marshall Library open
10 a.m .................... Alumni Headquarters open, Moody Hall
3:15p.m ................. Annual meeting, Friends of Preston Library, TBA
4:30 p.m ................. Review Parade, Parade Ground
6:30p.m ................. 50th Reunion Class reception, Marshall Library
7:45 p.m ................. 50th Reunion Dinner, Moody Hall (invitation only)
TBA ......................... Class reunion dinners/parties, TBA
SATURDAY, 25 APRIL
8 a.m.- 7 p.m ......... Keydet Bookstore open, Lejeune Hall
8:30a.m ................. Alumni Continental Breakfast, Moody Hall
8:30a.m ................. Keydet Kanteen open
9 a.m.- 5 p.m ......... VMI Museum open
9 a.m.- 5 p.m ......... George C. Marshall Library open
10 a.m .................... Alumni Annual Meeting, J.M. Hall
10:30 a.m ............... Alumni Review(20th 30th 40th 50th 55th 60th
and 65th Reunion Classe~ in RevieV:.,ing Party):
Parade Ground (weather permitting)
TBA ......................... Class Reunion dinners/parties, TBA
SUNDAY, 26 APRIL
9 a.m.- 5 p.m ......... George C. Marshall Library open
9 a.m.- 5 p.m ......... VMI Museum open
10 a.m.-4 p.m ........ Keydet Bookstore open, Lejeune Hall
10 a.m .................... Army/Air Force Memorial Service, J.M. Hall
MONDAY, 27 APRIL
7:30p.m ................. Annual Promaji Alumni Dinner, Moody Hall
TUESDAY, 28 APRIL
4:30 p.m ................. ROTC Awards Rehearsal, J.M. Hall
WEDNESDAY, 29 APRIL
4 p.m ...................... Institute Awards Convocation, Cameron Hall
THURSDAY, 30 APRIL
5 p.m ...................... ROTC Awards Ceremony, J.M. Hall
6:30- 8:30p.m ...... First Class Banquet, Cameron Hall
FRIDAY, 1 MAY
9 a.m ...................... VMI Foundation Board of Trustees Committee
Meetings
4:30 p.m ................. Faculty and Staff Retirement Review Parade
Ground '
5 p.m ...................... Faculty Club Social, Moody Hall
SATURDAY, 2 MAY
Monday Classes held for Breakout makeup day.
Last day of Classes
9 a.m ...................... VMI Foundation Board ofTrustees Meeting
10 a.m .................... 23rd Lexington Road/River Relay
2 p.m ...................... Lee-Jackson Lacrosse Classic W&L
MONDAY, 4 MAY I
Examinations Begin
FRIDAY, 8 MAY
11:30 a.m ............... Exams end for First Classmen
TUESDAY, 12 MAY
Final exams end
WEDNESDAY, 13 MAY
8 a.m.-7 p.m .......... Keydet Bookstore open, Lejeune Hall
10 a.m. - 4 p.m ...... Board of Visitors Committee Meetings
Noon ...................... Corps returns to Barracks
2 p.m ...................... New Market Day Parade Rehearsal, Parade Ground
4 p.m.-5 p.m .......... Cadet Awards Convocation Rehearsal, J.M. Hall
6:30p.m ................. Board of Visitors Dinner, Superintendent's
Quarters
THURSDAY, 14 MAY
8:30 a.m.-Noon ...... Board of Visitors Meeting
8 a.m.-4:30p.m .... Preston Library open.
8 a.m.-7 p.m .......... Keydet Bookstore open, Lejeune Hall
8:45 a.m.-9:30a.m. Commissioning Rehearsal, J.M. Hall
11 a.m. - Noon ....... Cadet Awards Convocation, J.M. Hall
2:30 p.m.-4 p.m ..... Thursday Evening Inspection (rooms must be in
Ml order, final inventory will be taken)
4 p.m. - 4:45 p.m ... Graduation Rehearsal (graduating 1st Class only),
Alumni Field/Cameron Hall
7:30p.m ................. Institute Brass Concert
8 p.m. - 9 p.m ........ Baccalaureate Service, J.M. Hall
FRIDAY, 15 MAY
7:30a.m. - 7 p.m ... Keydet Bookstore open, Lejeune Hall
8 a.m. -4:30p.m ... Preston Library open ·
9 a.m. - Noon ......... Commissioning Ceremony and Reception, J.M.
Hall/Memorial Garden
11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m .. Buffet for parents and guests, all classes, Crozet
Hall
1:30 p.m ................. Company Changes of Command
2 p.m ...................... New Market Day Parade
3:30p.m ................. Weapons Turn In (All Classes), Armory
3:30-5 p.m ............. Superintendent's Reception for parents and
guests, Class of 1998, Superintendent's Garden
(Music provided by VMI Band Brass Quintet)
7 p.m ...................... VMI Commanders Jazz Band Concert, Memorial
Garden
8- 9 p.m ................ VMI Glee Club Concert, J.M. Hall
9- Midnight ........... Final Ball, Cocke Hall
SATURDAY, 16 MAY
8 a.m.-7 p.m .......... Keydet Bookstore open, Lejeune Hall
8 a.m.-4:30 p.m ..... Preston Library open
9:30a.m ................. All graduating First Classmen form for Courtyard
Inspection and Graduation Assembly
11 a.m .................... Graduation Exercises, Cameron Hall
1 p.m ...................... All First Classmen, Barracks room closeout by
Divisional Inspectors
April 15, 1998
PHI ETA SIGMA
CHAPTER TO BE
ESTABLISHED AT VMI
A Chapter of Phi Eta Sigma, a national
scholastic honor society, will be
established at VMI. This brings the total of
national and international honor society
chapters at VMI to 11. Phi Eta Sigma was
founded at the University of Illinois in
1923 to recognize and promote superior
scholarship among freshman. VMI's
chapter seeks to identify exemplary
students who may continue to achieve
success during their academic careers and
to provide an occasion to emphasize and
reward superior academic performance
early in a cadet's experience at VMI.
The VMI Chapter, named after james
A. Anderson '13, first dean of the Virginia
Military Institute, will hold its first
induction on April 20. Eighty-seven
members of all four classes will be
inducted. Induction is based upon the
achievement of a 3.5 grade point average
during the first semester of the rat year.
CORRECTION
The Allen Professorship article on
page 1 of the March issue of the Institute
Report contained two errors. Colonel
Riethmiller's name was misspelled and it
was also stated that Mr. Allen (who
initiated the professorship) received his
B.S. in chemistry from VMI, when in fact
he received his B.S. in biology.
In the J. Clifford Miller, Jr. article in
the same issue of the IR, Miller's wife's
name was misspelled, her name is Lizora
and her son j. Clifford Miller Ill graduated
from VMI in 1963. The Institute Report
regrets these errors.
PROMOTIONS
Regimental and Battalion Staffs
Based upon the recommendations of
the Promotions Board, the commandant
has announced the new regimental and
battalion staffs for the 1998-1999
academic year.
Regimental Commander .............. jason B. Berg
Regimental XO .............. Bradford A. Wineman
1st Battalion Commander ......... Kevin M. Ryan
2nd Battalion Commander ..... Wirt W. Cross, jr.
Regimental S-1 ................... David j. Kaczmarek
Regimental S-2 ................... Court j. P. Whitman
Regimental S-3 ....................... jeffrey D. Snyder
Regimental S-4 .............................. Filip E. Heist
Regimental S-5 ............................. Micah T. Wei
Regimental S-6 ......................... Isaac D. Moore
1st Battalion XO .......... Christopher L. Alligood
2nd Battalion XO ........... Michael). McDermott
Virginia Military Institute s
Four cadets from the Australian Defense Force Academy were recently at VMI to complete
thirty hours of required practical experience. The cadets worked with faculty members in the
electrical engineering department including: Maj. Shawn Addington, assistant professor of
electrical engineering (left) and Dr. Gabriel G. Balazs, professor and head of electrical
engineering (right). The cadets: (left to right) Justin Diamond, Shaun Owen, Darren Dunk, and
Shane Cooper worked in the area of microelectronics, specifically the areas of thick-film and
printed circuit board technology.
VMI Gains Access to Scholarly Journals On-Line
Faculty and cadets at the Virginia Military Institute will gain unprecedented access
to leading scholarly journals via the World Wide Web starting this month when VMI
became a participating institution in JSTOR. JSTOR is dedicated to helping the academic
community take advantage of advances in information technology.
JSTOR is creating a fully searchable electronic database that will contain the scanned
images of at least 100 major research journals in a variety of academic disciplines. By
participating in JSTOR, faculty, staff, and cadets at VMI will now be able to retrieve the
complete backfiles of these journals, some of which began publication as early as the
1870s. Through JSTOR, Preston Library will also be able to enhance its collection of
academic journals while saving money and shelf space.
"The JSTOR database will greatly enhance the academic experience by allowing
our cadets and faculty to do direct, on-line research from many of the most important
journals in the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences more quickly, easily, and
accurately than ever before," says Col. Don Samdahl, head librarian. "At the same
time, JSTOR will allow our library to ensure that complete sets of these journals are
available, help us save increasingly limited shelf space and provide a window for us
into creating the digital library of the future."
"JSTOR is a collaborative effort between libraries, publishers, and the academic
community and provides a solution to the challenge of maintaining and storing the
growing volume of scholarly research," says Kevin M. Guthrie, president of JSTOR.
"We are pleased that VMI is participating in JSTOR, and look forward to helping the
school gain greater access to important research, learn more about the uses of electronic
technology, and asses its long-term impact on the scholarly community."
The JSTOR database is accessible with standard browsers via the World Wide
Web (http://www.jstor.org/). JSTOR was established as an initiative to help libraries
meet space and budget challenges. It has since developed into a unique opportunity
to provide a service that benefits the entire scholarly community.
VMI joins over 260 U.S. and Canadian colleges and universities participating in
JSTOR. journals available through JSTOR include the journal of Military History which
is published at VMI. JSTOR is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1995 from a
pilot project sponsored by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
6 The Institute Report
Spring
1998
The Tradition of
SeiVice Continues
Approximately 350 cadets participated in two
community service projects during the Spring FTX,
April 3-7, 1998.
Some 40 cadets, under the guidance of visiting
members of the Timber Framers Guild of North
America, assisted local residents in the construction
of a gazebo at Effinger Elementary School in
Rockbridge County. Part of a total renovation of
the school's playground, the gazebo was the second
cooperative project between cadets and the Timber
Framers Guild, the first being the working trebuchet
that was constructed at McKethan Park last spring.
Over 300 cadets traveled to Petersburg to assist
the National Park Service in making badly needed
repairs and maintenance to outdoor sites at the
Petersburg National Battlefield. This was one of
the largest such projects ever for the National Park
Service, and VMI's largest community service effort
since the contribution of some 10,000 man-hours
of clean-up assistance in the aftermath of the
Election Day Flood of 1985. At Petersburg, cadets
performed such tasks as brush clearing, fence
removal, maintenance and construction, painting,
grave site maintenance, and exhibit installation.
Cadets also assisted with an ongoing archaeological
dig at Fort Morton, one of the many strong points
in the Union lines at the siege of Petersburg during
the Civil War. All told, the cadets' efforts saved the
park some two years of work and approximately
$500,000.
Petersburg Battleneld
Effinger Elementary School Project
April 15, 1998
I
'I
7
Effinger Elementary School Project
8 The Institute Report
Football Secretary now in 26th year
Some pundits may feel that part of VMI's problem
in its football program has been the lack of
continuity in the head coach position-there have
been five over the past 14 seasons. But there has
been continuity in the football office, with Karen
Robinson, as secretary to the head coach, now in
her 26th year.
Two months after her graduation from Rockbridge .
High School, Robinson was named secretary to
head coach Bob Thalman in August of 1972 as he
began his second season at VMI. His 14-year tenure
was a VMI record, and the only other Keydet coach
to serve more than ten years was John McKenna with 13. In 107 years of VMI
football, there have been 25 head coaches, so Robinson has been the secretary
to 20 percent of the total.
Since Thalman left after the 1984 season, Eddie Williamson had four seasons,
jim Shuck five, Bill Stewart three, and now Ted Cain enters his second. "I have
really enjoyed working for all of them/' said Robinson, unable to name a
favorite.
Robinson's husband, Wes, is the electronics technician in the electrical
engineering department, and he is now in his 18th year at the Institute. He
spent four years in the physics department lab before moving to EE in 1985.
"She is an excellent mother," he claims, "and has a lot of talent in interior
decorating. We have done over several rooms to her specs and the results have
been super," he added.
The Robinsons have two children, Ethan, aged six, and Tess, who is four. The
family attends the Blue Ridge Baptist church regularly, and she, when there is
any spare time at all, dabbles in floral wreaths and other such crafts. Primarily,
they are used as gifts, but if she had the time, their quality would make them
candidates for arts and crafts shows as well as saleable. Younger sister Janice
Shanks, her only sibling, is director of human resources at the Dana
Corporation plant here in Rockbridge County.
"I love my job," said Robinson, "and I have been fortunate to work for a lot of
very nice men. Even though each head coach has his own methods, my part of
the program changes very little from coach to coach." she added, "I feel like I
know the things I need to know, but I still don't know anything about the X's
and O's of football."
Coach Cain calls her "So reliable, so dedicated to her job, so meticulous
about details. She takes pride in her work," he added, and noted that she is
actually secretary to all eleven members of the football staff as well as the
strength coach. She handles their correspondence and their recruiting mail plus
the myriad of paperwork details required in the sport. Practice schedules,
playbooks, workout and training schedules are just a part of her responsibilities.
"Karen's been a great help to me and all of my staff. As newcomers here," he
added, "we were like a bunch of guys playing golf at a strange course. She gave
us the 'local knowledge' we needed to get settled here."
April 15, 1998
Cadets join in Search
and Rescue Operation
The new cadet search and rescue
team, the Wilderness Oriented Lifesaving
Foundation (WOLF), was recently called
to Martinsville, Va. to participate in a
search and rescue operation.
On Friday, March 13 at 1 :20 a.m., the
Virginia Department of Emergency Service
called the president of WOLF, jason R.
Rasch '00. Rasch and three other members
of the group: Thomas S. Butler '98, Ross
S. Fuller '00, and joshua W. Petry '00
immediately departed for Martinsville,
arriving at 5:35a.m.
Upon arriving, the four cadets were
assigned to two search teams by the
Appalachian Search & Rescue Conference
and immediately departed to search for a
girl who had been missing since early the
night before. Soon after, news was
received that the girl had been found by a
nearby stream in the early stages of
hypothermia. With the help of VMI cadets
she was evacuated and turned over to the
local pol ice department. She had spent the
night lost with only a light jacket to shield
her against the 11 degree temperature.
WOLF is part of the Blue Ridge
Mountain Rescue Group and represents
the epitome of VMI ideals; assisting the
Commonwealth whenever the need arises.
Membership is rapidly increasing among
the Corps of Cadets.
Investment Club Banquet
The annual Cadet Investment Club
Awards Banquet will be held April 22. The
banquet begins at 6 p.m. and is hosted by
the Department of Economics and
Business and the VMI Foundation, Inc.
Special guests at this year's banquet
include: Mr. and Mrs. Haley Garrison '61.
The Garrisons will present the coveted
Future Captain of Industry Award to an
outstanding leader of the group.
Also to be presented at this year's
banquet will be the Robert H. Wentz, Jr.
'54 Award. The award, established and
first awarded in 1997, is presented to a
member of the group who has shown the
characteristics of enthusiasm, dedication,
cooperation, and innovation in the study
of investments and common stock
selection. The award is named for the I ate
Robert H. Wentz, jr, '54 former senior
executive vice president of the VMI
Alumni Association.
The speaker for this year's banquet has
yet to be announced.
April 15, 1998
Political Leadership
Discussion held at VMI
In February, five professors from
Hampden Sydney College, Mary Baldwin
College and Roanoke College joined
moderator Colonel Patrick Mayerchak,
professor and head of international studies
and political science at VMI and presenter
Major James Hentz, VMI assistant
professor of international studies, in a
panel discussion. The discussion topic was
"Contemporary Political Leadership: Do
We Get the Leaders We Deserve?"
Three presenters voted "no." Roderick
Owen from Mary Baldwin claimed that
"the American rhetoric of citizenship has
been overcome by consumerism." Laura
Van Assendelft from Mary Baldwin also
voted "no." She asserted that as long as
the demographic profiles of American
political leadership do not reflect the
demography of the U.S. population, our
leadership is not what we deserve. Finally,
Maj. Hentz stated the Americans do not
have leaders, but instead put "followers,
politicians and administrators" into public
office. He reported that the "possessive
individualism" of Americans results in
citizens who really do not care about
leadership because "they are happy if
[they] get what they want."
Three presenters answered the topical
question with a vote of "yes," expressing
views similar to the nay-sayers. Howard
Warshawsky of Roanoke College stated
that leaders reflect our society; only
leaders who are tolerated remain in office.
William Hill, also from Roanoke College,
described politicians who create poll­based
pol icy for an electorate that makes
"minimal effort" in the governmental
process. Therefore, he said, Americans do
get the leaders they deserve. Lawrence
Martin from Hampden-Sydney described
an American political system that markets
candidates like any product, relying upon
producers (political parties), the products
(candidates), the agents (pollsters and
media specialists) and the consumers
(voters) to create the leaders we deserve.
Those panelists who speculated on
leadership of the future were not optimistic
that great leaders - Washington, Lincoln
and Franklin Roosevelt - will be seen
again. The quality of leaders in the future,
they said, rei ies upon the combination of
a citizenry involved with the communities
of our nation, participation of voters in the
I ife of the nation, substantive
representation by a cohort of leaders who
reflect the entire population they serve and
pure dumb luck.
Virginia Military Institute
OGA President Enjoys Counseling
In the army, a private first class is one who
was promoted to that rank. At VMI, a First Class
Private is a cadet with no rank who has become
a senior; however, they do have a uniquely
important place in the Corps structure.
The Officer of the Guard Association (OGA),
the investigative arm of the General Committee
and the Executive Committee, is composed of
First Class Privates only, a group of 10 to 15
cadets elected by their classmates. Serving as
OGA president this year is Cadet Brad Cooke, of
Richmond.
An English major, Cooke has a solid VMI
background to reinforce his qualifications for the
position. His grandfather, Thomas S. Cooke, Jr., earned his engineering degree
as a member of VMI's class of 1944B. His father, Thomas S. Cooke, Ill, was a
biology major in the class of 1970, subsequently earning his dental degree at
the Medical College of Virginia. Though granddad was a lieutenant in the
Corps, Cook's father was a 4-year private, too.
This year's OGA has been more involved in Ratline activities than those of
previous years, and Cooke says "We decided on our own that we should be
more closely involved with the Rat system, and we've really extended ourselves
in that direction." Someone from the OGA is at every activity of the Fourth
Class.
Cooke has been involved with the new cadets every year. He was on the Rat
Challenge cadre in his third and second class years while serving as a counselor
on the S-5 staff. "I've really enjoyed counseling duties and I'd like to make that
type of service my life's work," said Cooke. He might take a year or two off to
work, hopefully in writing, then seek an advanced degree in counseling.
Older brother Todd, a history major and a lieutenant in the Corps, will
graduate in May, too. When Brad was a senior in the high school division of
Fork Union Military Academy, Todd took a year of post-graduate work there,
then they entered VMI together. For the past three years, they have been
roommates.
As OGA president, Cooke faces at least one meeting a week, plus a great deal
of time in carrying out the duties of the association. He simply has no time for
the other activities he would like to be involved with, especially The Cadet, the
weekly newspaper published by the Corps. He had been news editor and
enjoyed the chance to write. He also likes mountaineering and rock climbing,
but there simply isn't room in his schedule. He has taught mountaineering at a
summer camp for boys and while there got deeply involved in counseling.
In addition to its investigations, the OGA serves as a conduit between the
Corps and the administration and Cooke brings their concerns to the
commandant regularly. "He truly has the interest of the Corps at heart," says
Col. James N. Joyner, Commandant of Cadets. "He is conscientious about his
work and the OGA functions quite well this year because he is so dedicated to
the job," added Joyner, who feels that the new emphasis on their constructive
involvement with the Rat line will be a good example for the OGAs of the
future.
"I've enjoyed the work of the OGA," said Cooke, "but I still have to rank as
my first preference the work involved in counseling Rats. My goal is to become
a counselor, either in schools or in private practice. There's nothing more
rewarding than helping people, no matter what you get paid."
9
10
AFROTC DET 880
Quality for all Levels
In Air Force ROTC, Quality Air Force
(QAF) a division ofTotal Quality Management
(TQM), is taught nationwide to contracted
students at the junior and senior level. The
AFROTC program at VMI goes a step further
to provide quality to its students. VMI's
AFROTC has developed a three-year quality
plan across the curriculum which gives
contracted and non-contracted students a base
in TQM tools and philosophy.
This exposure to TQM allows contracted
cadets to come on active duty with the skills
needed to emphasize continuous improvement
in the workplace, how to empower
subordinates, how to make decisions at the
lowest possible level and how to use key
problem-solving and idea-generating tools.
VMI's AFROTC branch brings these skills to
non-contracted cadets as well, an advantage
readily recognized in the business sector.
The Institute Report April 15, 1998
Cadet Michael J. Chapman '99 of
Roseville, California was recently
awarded a United States Automobile
Association (USAA)/Sprint Scholarship
Award. The award consisted of a brass
clock and monetary award. Chapman
was one of Q9 outstanding Army ROTC
cadets nationwide who received the
award. The award recognizes of
outstanding performance in a variety
of areas and the student's great
potential for commissioned service.
Navy and Marine Corps ROTC Complete Spring Training
Spring has returned and with it came the
annual Navy/Marine Corps FTX. The Marine
option midshipmen completed their exercise
at the Boy Scout Camp in Goshen, Va. while
the naval midshipmen were split between sail
training at Smith Mountain Lake and a
Kilbourne Hall shipboard simulation.
Upon arriving at the Scout Camp in
Goshen, the Marine option midshipmen were
immediately immersed into training. Since
most of the midshipmen had not had any
practical field experience, first classmen were
responsible for teaching fire team and squad
tactics and other vital knowledge. The
culmination of this training was a 48 hour
tactical scenario. The midshipmen were
divided into two platoons (defensive and
offensive). These platoons, commanded by 2nd
Lts. Hasseltine and Carey, conducted free-play
operations against each other. During this time,
day and night patrols were conducted to give
Officer Candidates School bound cadets
practice for this summer. After 24 hours, the
platoons changed roles. On the last day of
training, a forced march was conducted. Final
weapons maintenance and a barbecue were
held prior to returning to VMI. The midshipman
responsible for the FTX this year was First
Battalion Commander jabarr Bean. His staff
included his Executive Officer Trent Warncke,.
Operations Officer Paul Lee, Administrative
Officer john Pomfret, Supply and Logistics
Officer Landon Allen, his assistant Mike Mule,
and Public Affairs Officer Will Ward.
The second class naval midshipmen
participated in an underway simulation aboard
the fictional ship USS Kilbourne. The Kilbourne
got underway on April 4 at 11 a.m. after an
extensive safety and navigation brief with
Commanding Officer Paul O'Brien. His
underway staff included Executive Officer
Jeffrey Snyder, Senior Watch Officer Benjamin
Chang, Administrative Officer Amalie
Charbonnet, Physical Fitness Officer Russell
Flournoy, Engineering Officer Sean Stockwell,
Operations Officer Bryan jones and Navigator
John Pitts. While underway the ship allowed
the cadets to apply skills acquired from all
naval science classes. Highlights from the time
underway included maneuvering board
exercises wit a t ree-s ip scenario,
completion of the fleet rules of the road exam,
PT competitions, damage control briefings and
hose handling using a Lexington Fire
Department truck.
The fourth, third, and first classes of the
Navy option midshipmen tra)/eled to Smith
Mountain Lake. Seventy-two sailors (forming
three divisions) prepared for sail training. The
kick-off event was camp set-up, followed by
officer's call. The divisions rotated through a
challenging daily routine. Each division
participated in meal preparation, fire watch
and sail training. The midshipmen enjoyed
their experience while gaining proficiency on
the lake. The first class midshipmen continued
preparing for the leadership challenges of a
commissioned officer by coordinating the
training for the third and fourth classes. Fifty
"skipper B" qualifications for sailing were
acquired. Commanding Officer William
Fallon, Executive Officer Matthew Martin,
Supply Officer David Killian, Operations and
Training Officer Rick Feese, Administrative
Officer Torrence Rogers, and Safety Officer
Carl Trask coordinated the sail training.
April 15, 1998 Virginia Military Institute
Garth Newel Chamber Players to
give concert in honor of Col. Gentry
Under the joint sponsorship of the English and Fine Arts Department and the
Timmins Music Society, the Garth Newel Chamber Players will present a concert at 8
p.m. on April 15 in jackson Memorial Hall. Admission is free.
The concert honors Col. Thomas B. Gentry, '44, professor of English, who is retiring
from the VMI faculty after fifty years of service. Col. Gentry has twice received the
Distinguished Teaching Award. Although a teacher of English literature, he has also,
for many years, taught a popular course in the history of music and has served as
adviser to the Timmins Music Society since its founding in 1953.
The program will consist of three works for piano and strings: Gabriel Faure's
Piano Quartet in C minor (Op. 15), Aaron Copland's Quartet for Piano and Strings,
and Franz Schubert's Quintet for Piano and Strings in A major (the "Trout").
The Garth Newel Chamber Players, well known to Lexington musical audiences
and to those who attend the summer concerts in Warm Springs, include cellist Luca Di
Cecco, violinist Arlene Di Cecco, violist Evelyn Grau, and pianist Read Gainsford.
joining them for the performance of the Schubert quintet will be double-bassist joseph
Farley.
POTPOURRI
•!• Maj. Gen. Josiah Bunting Ill '63, superintendent, will be the keynote speaker
at the 1998 Advanced Camp Educator's Visit Banquet on July 9. The banquet
will be held at Fort Lewis, Washington. Gen. Bunting visited Fort Lewis last
summer to see the camp and visit with VMI's ROTC cadets training there.
•!• Col. Spencer C. Tucker '59, professor of history and holder of the john Biggs
'30 Cincinatti Professor of Military History, spent spring break meeting in
Budapest with faculty and staff of the Miklos Zrfnyi National Defense University
in Hungary. VMI hopes to establish a program that would exchange students
and faculty and allow VMI cadets to travel to Budapest in the summer. Major
General Dr. Miklos Szabo, superintendent of the National Defense University
will visit VMI with a delegation either in the spring or early fall.
•!• Mrs. Louise K. Dooley, vice president of the VMI Foundation, Inc. and Maj.
Gen. John W. Knapp '54 USAR (Ret.), superintendent emeritus of VMI were
two of four new members named to the Board of Trustees of the Stonewalr
Jackson Foundation during 1997.
•!• Cadets from VMI, Norwich University, Texas A&M University, and Mary
Baldwin College participated in a memorial ceremony at the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetary on March 14. As part of the
ceremony members of the group placed a wreath at the tomb. Cadets who
represented VMI at the ceremony were: R. Matthew Baldwin '98, Stephen J.
Burton '98, and Donald V. Rauch '98.
--
,,
At the request of the Superintendent,
Maj. Gen. josiah Bunting Ill '63, the
U.S. Army's Institute of Heraldry at Fort
Belvoir has designed and authorized
a patch for wear on the VMI Class A
uniform.
The patch incorporates the VMI
colors (red, yellow, and white). The
reversed chevron, together with the
dancetty division of the field and the
torch, suggests the letters of the VMI
monogram.
Faculty and staff who haven't done
so should take their Class A blouse to
the military store so the patch can be
added.
REGIMENTAL BAND
ACTIVE IN SPRING
The VMI Regimental Band traveled to
New Orleans, La. in March to participate
once again in the Endymion Parade. The
Endymion is the largest parade (estimated
800,000 spectators) of the annual Mardi
Gras festival, lasting more than four hours.
The band again brought home first prize
in the military band competition for their
performance. VMI's Regimental Band has
formally attended the festival almost every
year since 1990.
The Pipes and Drums contingent of
the band performed in Roanoke, Va. St.
Patrick's Day Parade and on April 21 will
participate in the 90th Anniversary
Celebration of the U.S. Army Reserve in
Washington, D.C. The celebration will be
held in Arlington National Cemetary at the
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The Commanders, an 18 member
contingent of the band, performed in High
Point, N.C. at a benefit for the Lexington
North Carolina Police and Fire
Department. The group also performed at
Sweet Briar College on April 5 and will
be the entertainment at VMI's Easter Hop
on April 18.
Colonel john Brodie, director of the
Regimental Band, was guest conductor at
the Pennsylvania Regional All State Band
in Philadelphia, Penn. 130 band students --
•!• Employees of Wallace's Bookstore (the Keydet Bookstore) were recognized
with awards for achievements in 1997. The awards were presented to the
Keydet Bookstore by the parent company, Wallace Bookstores Inc. Mary
Hunter, manager of the bookstore, has been nominated for "Manager of the
Year."
_ from 44 high schools in the Philadelphia
- area participated in the joint concert. -------------------------------------------------------------
PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICE
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE
LEXINGTON, VIRGINIA 24450-0304
VMI CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Wednesday, 15 April:
George C. Marshall ROTC Award Seminar. See page 2.
Baseball@ Davidson (double header).
Thursday, 16 April:
George C. Marshall ROTC Award Seminar.
Baseball @ Davidson.
4:30 p.m. Review Parade, parade ground.
Friday, 1 7 April:
George C. Marshall ROTC Award Seminar.
Blue Ridge 82nd Airborne visit.
Easter Hops.
AFROTC Dining Out.
Outdoor Track (SC Championship), Lexington, Va.
Tennis at SC Championship.
Saturday, 18 April:
1 p.m. Baseball vs. Furman (double header), Patchin Field
Easter Hops.
Outdoor Track (SC Championship), Lexington, Va.
Tennis at SC Championship.
Sunday, 19 April:
1 p.m. Baseball vs. Furman, Patchin Field.
Tennis at SC Championship.
Tuesday, 21 April:
Jay Spiegel visit, see page
Bloodmobile, Cocke Hall.
6 p.m. Publications Board Award banquet, Moody Hall.
Wednesday, 22 April:
Bloodmobile, Cocke Hall.
1 p.m. Baseball vs. Duke (double header), Patchin Field.
Thursday, 23 April:
Bloodmobile, Cocke Hall.
Luncheon - Chief Executives Organization.
FRIDAY, 24 APRIL
10a.m.
3:15p.m.
4:30p.m.
6:30p.m.
7:45p.m.
Outdoor Track@ Penn. Relays.
Alumni Headquarters open, Moody Hall
Annual meeting, Friends of Preston Library, TBA
Review Parade, Parade Ground
50th Reunion Class reception, Marshall Library
50th Reunion Dinner, Moody Hall (invitation only)
Class reunion dinners/parties
SATURDAY, 25 APRIL
10 a.m. Alumni Annual Meeting, J.M. Hall
10:30 a.m. Alumni Review (20th, 30th, 40th, 50th, 55th, 60th, and 65th
Reunion Classes in Reviewing Party), Parade Ground (weather
permitting)
1 p.m. Baseball vs. The Citadel (double header), Patchin Field. Class
Reunion dinners/parties, TBA
SUNDAY, 26 APRIL
10 a.m. Army/Air Force Memorial Service, J.M. Hall
1 p.m. Baseball vs. The Citadel, Patchin Field.
MONDAY, 27 APRIL
7:30p.m. Annual Promaji Alumni Dinner, Moody Hall
TUESDAY, 28 APRIL
4:30 p.m. ROTC Awards Rehearsal, J.M. Hall
Cadet Investment Club dinner, Moody Hall.
WEDNESDAY, 29 APRIL
Academic Board Meeting, Smith Hall Board Room.
4 p.m. Institute Awards Convocation, Cameron Hall
THURSDAY, 30 APRIL
Baseball at SC Champs (through May 3), Charleston, S.C.
5 p.m. ROTC Awards Ceremony, J.M. Hall
6:30 p.m. First Class Banquet, Cameron Hall
FRIDAY, 1 MAY
9 a.m. VMI Foundation Board of Trustees Committee Meetings
4:30 p.m. Faculty and Staff Retirement Review, Parade Ground
5 p.m. Faculty Club Social, Moody Hall
SATURDAY, 2 MAY
Monday Classes held for Breakout makeup day.
Last day of Classes
9 a.m. VMI Foundation Board of Trustees Meeting
10 a.m. 23rd Lexington Road/River Relay
2 p.m. Lee-Jackson Lacrosse Classic, W&L
MONDAY, 4 MAY
Examinations Begin
FRIDAY, 8 MAY
11 :30 a.m. Exams end for First Classmen
TUESDAY, 12 MAY
Final exams end
April 15, 1998 Virginia Military Institute f2