Communicated by Major General Cedric T. Wins ‘85, superintendent, these instructions support the Institute’s objective to provide an academic year experience as normal as possible given current COVID impacts.

“Always, in my mind, I knew I wanted to return to Lexington. I absolutely love it here.” That’s what Maj. Valarie Stores has to say about her move back to Lexington, her home for much of her childhood and a community where her family ties run deep.

The superintendent regrets to inform the VMI community of the death of Donny White ’65 on Tuesday, Aug. 17, at the age of 78 after an extended illness. White served 35 years at VMI, including his final role of director of athletics.

“What I’ve enjoyed the most is working with the cadets.” That’s what Col. Janet Holly says about her position as a research and instruction librarian—a job she’s held for an incredible 37 years. Come Sept. 1, though, she’ll transition from employee to retiree.

Conducted by the VMI Center for Undergraduate Research, SURI (Summer Undergraduate Research Institute) is a program where the cadet, as the principal investigator, conducts research directly with a faculty mentor.

Maj. Molly Kent’s neuroscience lab is a busy place this summer, with multiple cadets working on multiple projects split over the two summer sessions. But despite their wide-ranging projects, the cadets share a common bond: a desire to learn lab skills and grow as scientists.

As a high school student, Jacob Benny ’22 had a natural talent for math, and he’d also discovered an interest in physics. But work on a project for NASA before he’d even earned a college degree? That seemed to be an out-of-this-world ambition.

This summer, four cadets are taking part in internships designed to show them a side of life many have not seen before as they participate in a program through the Shepherd Higher Education Consortium on Poverty, which places students with nonprofits serving the economically disadvantaged.

As cadets and other members of the VMI community return to post for the fall semester, they will notice several changes being made in order for the Institute to comply with Executive Order #77, which directs all state agencies to reduce Virginia’s reliance on single-use plastics.

Lt. Col. Patrick Rhamey, associate professor of international studies and political science at Virginia Military Institute, will discuss U.S.—China relations on public radio’s With Good Reason July 31-Aug. 6 in an episode titled “Entangling Alliances.”