Message from the Interim Superintendent By Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins ’85
Dear Fellow Alumni and Members of the VMI Family: I am honored to serve as interim superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute. I appreciate the support and encouragement received from many of you. Since my appointment at the beginning of November, I have invested much time in listening, internalizing the many issues confronting us, and lending my own voice to strategic planning in coordination with the Board of Visitors. First among the many issues has been how we manage the cadet experience through the ongoing pandemic. We found that our unique system of education is most effective when our cadets are present to learn and train. We began the fall semester knowing that we would be operating in an environment where COVID-19 was present. We had 101 positive cadet cases of the virus last semester. However, we know from our meticulous contact tracing that none of those cases originated from contact in the classroom. We were able to deliver 44% of classes in person last semester with an additional 34% as hybrid classes (part in-person, part online). The additional space now available in the newly expanded Scott Shipp Hall will allow the Institute to offer 64% of classes in-person with Wins ’85 an additional 19% in a hybrid format. The lessons learned from COVID-19 protocols last semester have informed our operations for the spring semester. Upon their return to post in January, cadets were tested for COVID-19. Those who tested negative were able to resume their normal responsibilities. Those who tested positive were isolated in accordance with CDC guidelines until the medical staff cleared them to rejoin the Corps. Our faculty and staff continue to work tirelessly to ensure that our cadets are offered a VMI experience as normal as possible during these difficult times. As you know, the proven VMI system teaches us resiliency as well as our core values of honor, integrity, respect, civility, duty, service above self, and leadership. Throughout this pandemic, the Corps remains resilient. Cadets continue to adapt to meet the academic, athletic, and training challenges the Institute poses. This has always been the case for cadets regardless of the circumstances. All of us engaged in life outside limits gates, in public, private, academic, or military careers, have learned adaptability and constant improvement are fundamental to any successful organization or effective leadership. In my own case, I am certain the values forged at VMI enabled me to confront, lead, and manage necessary and difficult changes in my life and career. That is the position in which VMI finds itself. Change and evolution may be more difficult at VMI but are not new concepts during our 181 years of progress. In light of recent national events, VMI began to reflect upon its own culture, policies, and procedures with regard to diversity and inclusion. This intensified focus began last summer and continues today. The Board of Visitors created a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee tasked with oversight of our efforts and a committee to study VMI’s commemorations, naming, and memorials. These committees are meeting regularly and will recommend policy improvements for the Board of Visitors to consider. Senior Institute officials each are tracking more than 30 issues within their areas identified for study and/or improvement. The Stonewall Jackson statue was relocated from in front of barracks and is in the process of being placed at the Virginia Museum of the Civil War. Per the plan submitted in July 2020, the flagpoles will be recentered on the statue of Gen. George C. Marshall, Class of 1901, signifying a symbolic shift to a greater focus on VMI’s 20th century history and beyond. Also in June, the VMI Alumni Association Board of Directors established a sub-committee focused on diversity and inclusion pertaining to VMI alumni engagement, service, faculty and staff recruiting, and support for admissions activities. Already productive, the committee is moving forward on initiatives that will strengthen the alumni network and its contribution and relevance to the Institute.
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VMI Alumni Review
