Message from the VMI Alumni Agencies Chief Executive Officer David L. Prasnicki
It has been 37 years since I first started my work at VMI; after a short time working for the VMI treasurer in 1985, I was hired by Harry Warner ’57 in 1986 to join the VMI Foundation team—less than a year after I graduated from college. In those early days, I had no idea I would work for the VMI Alumni Agencies for as long as I have, nor did I realize I would build a life-long career so fulfilled by the people I have met and worked with. I have had the opportunity to learn from many VMI alumni—giants in their time, and some of the most humble and generous people in this country. When individuals such as Elmon T. Gray ’46, Frank G. Louthan Jr. ’41, Bob Patterson ’49C, or Gen. George R.E. Shell ’31 sit down in your office as a young accountant, you learn a lot. I was in awe of their loyalty to their alma mater. Some things never change.
Prasnicki
Yet over 37 years, serving five superintendents, to include Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins ’85, I have seen many changes, including the end of Saturday classes (something that created quite a stir when it happened), the end of mandatory commissioning, and the transition to coeducation. Each change had passionate opinions on both sides of the fence. Through every milestone, every adjustment, one thing has remained consistent: The resilience of VMI, thanks largely to the loyalty of the alumni, parents, family, and friends who step forward each year to support the worthy mission to build leaders of character for our future.
I have had a front row seat as the Institute has transformed physically with older buildings and facilities making way for renovations and new construction—more than $700 million in the last 20 years—thanks to the generosity of state funding and private support. Throughout my time at VMI, the academic curriculum has been improved and refined as VMI introduced new majors and minors, cutting-edge facilities, new laboratories, innovative academic programs, and the Institute now competes for the very best faculty. And, while the athletic spirit demonstrated by our cadet-athletes has not diminished in my time, the equipment, training facilities, and competition venues have certainly reached a higher level of excellence. Of course, the Alumni Agencies has evolved, along with the growing alumni base. We have enhanced our service to the VMI family; embraced new technologies to better communicate with alumni, parents, and friends; and increased our efficiencies to accommodate new platforms for giving and receiving. With the Institute’s cooperation, we also have managed several major fundraising campaigns through which alumni and friends provided the hundreds of millions of dollars in private support that have been critical to the Institute as it moved into the front rank of American higher education. There has never been a day when I have thought, “What I do isn’t important.” That’s because what VMI does truly matters in the lives of young people and the future of our country. I have seen young people—to include one of my sons, Tyler Prasnicki ’15, a cadet-athlete on the lacrosse team—transformed in four years from somewhat nervous rats into confident young people ready to be honorable and purposeful leaders in their chosen career fields. I also know innumerable alumni who have hit the heights of their professions and yet remain committed to providing selfless service to their communities and our country. I do what I do because I think our country could use more—a lot more—men and women like that. Let me put it this way: No one I have worked with has ever said—or even hinted—that, when it comes to VMI, good enough is good enough. While their backgrounds and careers have been incredibly diverse, all of them—alumni, friends, coaches, and faculty—have been committed to advancing every aspect of this remarkable institution. Every generation of alumni has believed in the value of the Institute and has stepped forward to support the Institute in its endeavors, no matter how difficult the challenges faced or how tumultuous the times. VMI’s future is bright because it has been and remains faithful to its mission of graduating leaders of character, honor, and resolution. This past year was no different. In our most recent report, our overall dollars raised increased significantly, and the number of donors increased compared to only one year ago. VMI’s future is bright because it has alumni and friends who are faithful to this remarkable institute. I am humbled by the trust placed in me by the members of the VMI Alumni Agencies Board of Directors to take on the role of chief executive officer. I am equally confident in our objectives moving forward because I have a great team—a team of talented people who share my passion for the Institute and for the young men and women who choose to attend. Thirty-seven years ago, I did not see this coming, but I am honored to continue my service to the Institute and the VMI Alumni Agencies. I look forward to working with every member of the VMI family.
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VMI Alumni Review
