Bryan ’69 and Paulette ’69 Receive VMI Foundation Distinguished Service Award By Scott Belliveau ’83, Communications Officer At the 2021 Founders Day Convocation, two brother rats—Charles F. Bryan Jr. ’69, Ph.D., celebrated public historian and commentator, and William A. Paulette ’69, prominent businessman and engineer—received the VMI Foundation’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award. The presentation was made by Thomas H. Zarges ’70, VMI Foundation president. First presented in 1969, the Distinguished Service Award recognizes alumni and friends whose service to the Institute, dedication to the mission of the VMI Alumni Agencies, and career achievements and distinctions are exceptionally commendable. To date, only 75 people have received the award. Zarges said the VMI Foundation Board of Trustees decided to present the award to Bryan and Paulette, who he described as “two remarkable men,” because their lives “have been characterized by significant professional achievement, selfless service to their professions and their
communities, and an unshakeable devotion to the Institute and its advancement.” One of the country’s most distinguished public historians, Bryan was the president and chief executive officer of the Virginia Historical Society from 1988-2008. His dynamic leadership and bold vision transformed it into an awardwinning organization that increased the scope of its programs, expanded its headquarters, and hosted tens of thousands of visitors annually. After retiring from the VHS, Bryan helped found Bryan & Jordan Consulting, LLC, which specializes in strategic planning, fundraising, board and staff relations, and executive searches for nonprofit institutions and higher education. He has published extensively on various historical subjects and is a frequent columnist for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Bryan served on the board of the National Museum of American History and was the president of the American Association for
State and Local History and the Independent Research Libraries Association. He participates in the Organization of American Historians’ Distinguished Lecture Series. In recognition of his service to public history and his other accomplishments, the Virginia General Assembly named him the Outstanding Virginian of 2009. Bryan has been a faithful alumnus and has long sought ways to improve VMI’s remarkable education. His service included two four-year terms as a trustee of the VMI Foundation and acting as an advisor to the VMI Alumni Agencies during its recent restructuring. Paulette is the chairman and chief executive officer of KBS, a construction firm he founded in 1975. KBS is one of the most respected construction firms in the mid-Atlantic, completing many high-profile projects for private and public customers. He also has been active as a professional citizen, serving on the board of the Virginia State Board for Contractors, and in his community as
After receiving the Distinguished Service Award, Charles F. Bryan Jr. ’69, Ph.D., and William A. Paulette ’69 review the Founders Day parade with Maj. Gen. Cedric Wins ’85, superintendent.—VMI Photos by H. Lockwood McLaughlin.
2022-Issue 1
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