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The Virginia Military Institute (VMI), located in Lexington, Virginia , is the oldest state Military College in the United States . {Link without Title} In keeping with its founding principles, and unlike any other state military college in the country, all students at VMI are military cadets pursuing undergraduate degrees. VMI offers cadets a spartan, physically demanding environment combined with strict military discipline. VMI cadets pursue bachelor's degrees in 14 disciplines in the fields of engineering, science, and the liberal arts. While VMI has been called the " (ROTC), they have the flexibility to accept a commission in any of the four U.S. military branches or to pursue civilian endeavors upon graduation. VMI's Mission Statement: It is the mission of the Virginia Military Institute to produce educated and honorable men and women, prepared for the varied work of civil life, imbued with love of learning, confident in the functions and attitudes of leadership, possessing a high sense of public service, advocates of the American Democracy and free enterprise system, and ready as citizen-soldiers to defend their country in time of national peril. HISTORY Early history On November 11 , 1839 , the Virginia Military Institute was founded on the site of the Lexington state Arsenal , and the first Cadets relieved personnel on duty. Under Major General Francis Henney Smith , Superintendent , and Colonel Claudius Crozet , president of the Board of Visitors, the Corps was imbued with the Discipline and the spirit for which it is famous. The first cadet to march a sentinel post was Private John Strange in 1839. Since Strange's posting nearly 200 years ago, there have been sentinels posted at VMI 24 hours a day, seven days a week, during the school year. The Class of 1842 graduated 16 cadets into the ranks of the first Alumni . Living conditions were poor until 1850 when the cornerstone of the new Barracks was laid. In 1851, Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson became a member of the faculty and Professor of Natural And Experimental Philosophy . Under then-Major Jackson and Major William Gilham , VMI Infantry and artillery units were present at the Execution by Hanging of John Brown at Charles Town , Virginia (now West Virginia ) in 1859. Civil War period The Institute played a valuable part in the training of the Southern armies as well as participating in actual Battle . VMI cadets were called into active military service on 14 different occasions during the American Civil War and many cadets, under the leadership of General Stonewall Jackson, were sent to Camp Lee, at Richmond , to train recruits. VMI alumni were regarded the best officers of the South and several distinguished themselves in the Union forces as well. Fifteen graduates rose to the rank of general in the Confederate Army. {Link without Title} VMI Archives At the Battle Of Chancellorsville , Stonewall Jackson was reported to say, "The Institute will be heard from today," commenting on the leadership provided by VMI alumni during the battle. On in France under Napoleon and Chapultepec in Mexico. The Institute was shelled and burned on June 12 , 1864 , by Union forces under the command of General David Hunter , as part of the Valley Campaigns Of 1864 . The destruction was almost complete and the Institute had to temporarily hold classes at the Alms house in Richmond, Virginia . In April 1865, Richmond was evacuated due to the impending fall of Petersburg and the VMI Corps of Cadets was disbanded. The Lexington campus reopened for classes on burned the town of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania , in retaliation for the shelling of VMI. Following the war, Matthew Fontaine Maury , the pioneering Oceanographer known as the "Pathfinder of the Seas", accepted a teaching position at VMI, holding the Physics chair. World War I and II During World War II , VMI participated in the War Department 's Army Specialized Training Program from 1943 to 1946. The program provided training in engineering and related subjects to Enlisted men at colleges across the United States. Over 2,100 ASTP members studied at VMI during the war. CAMPUS The VMI campus covers 134 acres, 12 of which are designated as a National Historic District . The campus is referred to as the "Post." All cadets are housed on campus in a large five-story building, called the "barracks." The Old Barracks, which has been designated a National Historic Landmark , stands on the site of the old arsenal. The new wing of the barracks ("New Barracks") was completed in 1949. The two wings surround two quadrangles connected by a Sally Port . All rooms open onto porch-like stoops facing one of the quadrangles. A third barracks wing is under construction on the site of the former visitor's center. The four arched entries into the barracks are named for George Washington , Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson , George Marshall and Jonathan Daniels . Next to the Barracks are offices and meeting areas for VMI clubs and organizations, the cadet visitors center and lounge, a snack bar, and a Barnes & Noble -operated bookstore. Currently, VMI's campus is busy with construction due to the "Vision 2039" program. Under this capital campaign, VMI's alumni and supporters raised over $275 million over three years. The Barracks are being expanded to house 1,500 cadets, all academic buildings are being renovated and modernized, and VMI is spending an additional $200 million to build the VMI Center for Leadership and Ethics. The new Leadership Center will be used by VMI cadets, Washington And Lee University students, and other students throughout the country and abroad to develop leadership abilities combined with a focus on integrity and honor to benefit tomorrow's world. The Center will also be home to VMI's Distinguished Speaker Series and its Leadership Symposiums. The funding will also support "study abroad" programs including joint ventures with Oxford and Cambridge Universities in England and many other universities. ACADEMIC PROGRAMS VMI's academic programs are grouped into four areas: Engineering, Liberal Arts, Science, and Leadership. Within those departments, it offers 14 major and 22 minor areas of study. VMI web site The Engineering department has concentrations in three areas: Civil and Environmental Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. VMI web site The current Chief of Engineers of the Army Corps Of Engineers , Lieutenant General Carl A. Strock , is a VMI Engineering graduate, as was his predecessor, Robert B. Flowers . VMI web site The majority of classes are taught by full-time Professor s, 96 percent of whom hold Ph.D. s. VMI web site Within four months of graduation, on average, 97 percent of VMI graduates are serving in the military, employed, or admitted to graduate or professional schools. VMI web site VMI has graduated more finalist. VMI web site RANKINGS Academic In 2007, VMI tied for first place in the U.S. News And World Report rankings of the 22 public Liberal Arts College s in the United States. This marks the sixth year in a row that VMI has held this honor. Compared to the top 100 U.S. liberal arts colleges, public and private, it ranked 86th out of 104 (including ties).[http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/brief/t1libartco_brief.php U.S. News Rankings for 2007 Also in 2007, US News ranked VMI's Civil Engineering program ninth, and its overall Engineering program 31st in the United States among colleges offering up to a master's degree. {Link without Title} VMI web site VMI was the only state military college in the country named a "College of Distinction" in 2007 by Student Horizons, Inc. Student Horizons Colleges of Distinction web site Kiplinger's magazine, in its ranking of the "Best Values in Public Colleges" for 2006, made mention of the Virginia Military Institute as a "great value", although the military nature of its program excluded it from consideration as a traditional four-year college in the rankings.Lankford, Kimberly (2006). Best Values in Public Colleges . ''Kiplinger's''. Alumni giving VMI is known for the financial support of its alumni — in a 1999 study by the National Association of College and University Business Officers, VMI's $290 million endowment was the largest Per-student Endowment of any public undergraduate college in the United States. {Link without Title} STUDENT LIFE Both academically and physically, daily life at VMI is highly demanding. VMI is an extremely traditional and old-fashioned military college. Today, as nearly 200 years ago, cadets at VMI sleep on cots for their entire cadetship. Additionally, telephones, televisions, posters, and civilian clothes are never allowed in cadets' rooms. VMI cadets wear uniforms every day and eat their meals together in a mess hall. In many ways, life at VMI today is little changed from life at VMI in 1839. Potential students must be between 16 to 22 years of age. They must be unmarried, physically fit for enrollment in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and be graduates of an accredited Secondary School or have completed an approved homeschool curriculum. New cadets at VMI have an average SAT score of nearly 1200 and an average High School GPA of 3.39. {Link without Title} Eligibility is not restricted to Virginia residents, although it is more difficult to gain an appointment as a non-resident, as VMI has a goal that no more than 45 percent of cadets come from outside Virginia. {Link without Title} VMI has graduated students from across the U.S. and from many other countries. Virginia residents receive a discount in Tuition , as is common at most state-sponsored schools. Tuition for the 2005-2006 school year is approximately $15,000 for Virginia residents and $28,000 for all others. These fees can be misleading, because VMI's endowment enables VMI to meet a substantial amount of a cadets's financial need before the cadet needs loans. Ratline The new cadet, known as a "Rat", walks a prescribed line in Barracks while in an exaggerated, painful form of attention known as "straining". The Rat experience, called the Ratline, is intended to instill pride, discipline, brotherhood, and a sense of honor in the students. A Rat faces many physical and mental challenges and must memorize rules, school songs, and facts about the school and its history. The Ratline is among the toughest and most grueling initiation programs in the country. It is best described as a longer version of the Marine Corps Boot Camp combined with rigorous academics. After having their heads shaved bald (or cut very short for female cadets), the Rats undergo their first week in a long year of intense military and physical training. The initial week is a crash course in everything VMI: how to wear every uniform, how to march, how to clean a Rifle , etc. Once the first week is complete, life continues to get tougher as Rats await the arrival of the returning students, the "Old Corps". Each Rat is paired with a first classman ( Senior ) who serves as a mentor for the rest of the first year. This pairing is integral to cadet life at VMI. The first classman is called a "Dyke", reference to an older phrase "to dyke out", or to get into a uniform. This arose from a pair of cadets helping each other get into the full parade dress uniform, which includes white pants or ducks, a full dress coatee, belt and leather cartridge box, a military dress Shako , and several large web belts, or "cross dykes", that are extremely difficult to don alone, along with a school-issued M-14 rifle. Cadet officers and noncommissioned officers have the privilege of bearing a sash and sabre, while the Institute's regimental band carries instruments for parades and formal functions. During the freshman year, Rats continue to undergo training from the most highly skilled cadets at VMI, known as "the Cadre". The Cadre enforces all rules as the Rats live a life of "sweat parties", early morning runs, late night runs, and countless push-ups. It is hoped they will learn to think under pressure and focus on a team approach to solving challenges. The Ratline experience culminates in a "Breakout" event during the second semester where the Rats are formally welcomed to the VMI community. After break out, rats are officially fourth class students and no longer have to strain in the barracks or eat "square meals" at attention. Many versions of the Breakout ceremony have been conducted. In the 1950s, Rats from each company would be packed into a corner room in the barracks and brawl their way out through the upperclassmen. From the late 1960s through the early 1980s, the Rats had to fight their way up to the fourth level of the barracks through three other classes of cadets determined not to let them get to the top. The stoops would often be slick with motor oil, packed with snow, glazed with ice, greased, or continuously hosed with water. The barracks stairs and rails were not able to take the abuse, so the Corps moved the breakout to a muddy hill where Rats attempt to climb to the top by crawling on their stomachs while the upper classes block them or drag them back down. As of 2004 though, the Rats no longer breakout in the mud but instead participate in a grueling day of physical activity testing both physical endurance and team work.http://new.vmi.edu/show.asp?durki=8137&site=11&return=91 Traditions In addition to the Ratline, VMI has other traditions that are emblematic of the school and its history including the new cadet oath ceremony, the pagentry of close-order marching, and the nightly playing of " Taps ". An event second only to Graduation in importance is the "Ring Figure" dance held every November. During their junior year, cadets receive Class Ring s at a ring presentation ceremony followed by a formal dance. {Link without Title} VMI Web site The rings, which are quite large, are often referred to as "nuggets of gold". Most cadets get two rings, a formal ring and a combat ring; some choose to have the combat ring for everyday wear, and the formal for special occasions. Every year, VMI honors its fallen cadets with a New Market Day parade and ceremony. During this ceremony, roll is called for cadets who "died on the Field of Honor" and wreaths are placed on the graves of those who died during the Battle of New Market. The requirement that all first-year cadets eat in the mess hall was the basis for a lawsuit in 2002 when two cadets sued VMI over the prayer said before dinner. The non-denominational prayer had been a daily fixture since the 1950s.http://wid.ap.org/documents/scotus/040426bunting.pdf In 2002, the Fourth Circuit ruled the prayer, during an event with mandatory attendance, at a state-funded school, violated the U.S. Constitution . When the Supreme Court declined to review the school's appeal in April 2004, the prayer tradition was stopped.[http://www.vmi.edu/show.asp?durki=4084&site=11&return=212 Honor System VMI is known for its strict Honor System. Under the VMI Honor Code, "a cadet does not lie, cheat, steal, nor tolerate those who do." {Link without Title} There is only one punishment for violating the Honor Code: immediate expulsion in the form of a "drumming out" ceremony. Clubs and activities VMI currently offers over 50 school-sponsored clubs and organizations, including recreational activities, military organizations, musical and performance groups, religious organizations and service groups.http://new.vmi.edu/Show.asp?durki=710http://new.vmi.edu/Show.asp?durki=716 There are also several unofficial organizations in which cadets and alumni participate, including the Southern Triad Fraternity Organization (which consists of Sigma Nu and Alpha Tau Omega ), another fraternity (founded at neighboring Washington and Lee University), the People's Republic of Old Barracks (PROB), and the New Barracks Liberation Front (NBLF) http://www.geocities.com/nblf2004/NBLF.html. STUDENTS Of the 1251 students enrolled in 2005, 66 were African-American , 39 were Asian , 34 were Hispanic and 71 were women. The first Jew ish cadet, Moses Jacob Ezekiel , graduated in 1866. While at VMI, Ezekiel fought with the VMI cadets at the Battle Of New Market . He became a sculptor and his works are on display at VMI. One of the first Asian cadets was Sun Li-jen , the Chinese National Revolutionary Army general, who graduated in 1927. The first African-American cadets were admitted in 1968. The first African-American regimental commander was Derren McDew, class of 1982. McDew is currently a U.S. Air Force Brigadier General and vice-commander of the Eighteenth Air Force at Scott Air Force Base . It is unknown when the first Muslim cadet graduated from VMI, but in 1985 Iran ian Expatriate Rex Ziai graduated. Before the Iranian Revolution , under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi ,several Persian cadets attended and graduated from VMI. VMI has traditionally enrolled cadets from the Armed Forces Of Thailand and the Republic Of China (Taiwan). Graduates have gone on to pursue graduate degrees after VMI at prestigious universities throughout the United States before returning to their countries to continue their military service. Several graduates reached general and flag officer ranks. During the 1990s, many other nations were represented in the Corps of Cadets, including Bangladesh , Finland , Botswana , Germany , Kenya , South Korea , and Japan . Harri Humaloja of Finland served in the Finnish military following graduation in 1996 and currently serves in the United Nations as a Political Affairs Officer. Shah Rahman, class of 1997, of senior manager in the manufacturing sector of Bangladesh. Moabi Lesole, class of 1999, of Botswana serves the Botswana Air Force as an officer. Michael Lokale of Kenya was chosen as VMI's tenth Rhodes Scholar in 2003. Admission of women VMI was the last U.S. military college to admit women. VMI excluded Women from the Corps of Cadets until 1997. In 1990, the U.S. Department Of Justice filed a discrimination lawsuit against VMI for its all-male admissions policy. While the court challenge was pending, a state-sponsored Virginia Women's Institute For Leadership (VWIL) was opened at Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Virginia , as a parallel program for women. The VWIL continued, even after VMI's admission of women.Cabe, Crista (1 March 2005). "MBC Celebrates VWIL's 10th Anniversary March 18, 2004" . Mary Baldwin College web site. After VMI won its case in U.S. District Court, the case went through several appeals until June 26, 1996, when the U.S. Supreme Court , in a 7-1 decision in '' United States V. Virginia '', found that it was unconstitutional for a school supported by public funds to exclude women. (Justice Clarence Thomas did not vote because his son was attending VMI at the time.) Following the ruling, VMI contemplated going private to exempt itself from the 14th Amendment, and thus avoid the ruling. However, Assistant Secretary of Defense Frederick F.Y. Pang warned the school that the Department Of Defense would withdraw ROTC programs from the school if privatization took place. As a result of this action by Pang, Congress passed a resolution on November 18, 1997, prohibiting the Department of Defense from withdrawing or diminishing any ROTC program at one of the six Senior Military Colleges , including VMI. This escape clause provided by Congress came after the VMI Board of Visitors had already voted 8-7 to admit women and the decision was not revisited. In August 1997, VMI enrolled its first or Jewelry . MILITARY SERVICE The Virginia Military Institute offers ROTC programs for all four U.S. military branches. {Link without Title} While four years of ROTC is a requirement for all cadets, accepting a commission in the armed forces is optional. The VMI Board of Visitors has set a goal of having 70 percent of VMI cadets take a commission by 2015. The VMI class of 2006 achieved a 50 percent commissioning rate. VMI has graduated 265 , the highest award of the U.S. military. {Link without Title} ATHLETICS VMI fields 15 teams on the NCAA Division I level (FCS, formerly I-AA, for football). Varsity sports include Baseball , Basketball , men's and women's Cross-country , Football , Lacrosse , men's and women's rifle, men and women's Soccer , Swimming , men's and women's indoor and outdoor Track , Wrestling , and Rugby . VMI is a member of the Big South , the Southern (for wrestling), and the Metro Atlantic Athletic (for men's lacrosse) conferences. The VMI team name is the Keydets, possibly a Southern style slang for the word "cadets". Perhaps the most famous athletic story in VMI history was the two-year run of the 1976 and 1977 basketball teams. The 1976 squad advanced within one game of the Final Four before bowing to undefeated Rutgers in the East Regional Final , and in 1977 VMI finished with 26 wins and just four losses, still a school record, and reached the "Sweet 16" round of the NCAA Tournament . VMI has the third-smallest enrollment of any FCS football college, after Presbyterian and Wofford . Approximately one-third of the Corps of Cadets plays on at least one of VMI's intercollegiate athletic teams, making it one of the most active athletic programs in the country. Of the VMI athletes who complete their eligibility, 92 percent receive their VMI diplomas.[http://www.vmikeydets.com/section_front.asp?arttypeid=513 VMI Athletic History - A Brief Look (9 August 2002). VMI web site. NOTABLE GRADUATES VMI's alumni include a Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, Nobel Prize winners, Pulitzer Prize winners, Rhodes Scholars , Medal Of Honor recipients, U.S. Senators and Representatives, college and university presidents, and many business leaders. Some examples:
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