Headlines
![Nancy Giordano speaks to the VMI community in Cameron Hall.](/media/content-assets/images/news/2019-20/AcademicConvocation2020KN046-1-400x266.jpg)
Strategic futurist Nancy Giordano, speaker at VMI's academic convocation, told cadets that qualities such as empathy and integrity will be essential in the future.
![Cadets stand in front of barracks at the end of the day as the evening gun is fired.](/media/content-assets/images/news/2019-20/EveningGunSept2019KN57-1-400x266.jpg)
VMI is ranked 22nd overall among national liberal arts colleges, and 11th nationwide for social mobility, in recently released 2019 college rankings.
![A Parents Council member walks and talks with the family member of an incoming cadet.](/media/content-assets/images/news/2019-20/VMI_8875-1-400x267.jpg)
The second largest class in VMI's history, numbering 515, arrived Saturday, Aug. 17, to begin their VMI cadetships and the Rat Line.
![A portrait of Nancy Giordano](/media/content-assets/images/news/2019-20/Giordano-to-be-edited-for-web-400x267.jpg)
Nancy Giordano will speak at VMI's 2019-20 academic convocation, to be held Wednesday, Sept. 4, in Cameron Hall.
![A portrait of Bill Boland](/media/content-assets/images/news/2019-20/Boland_J_WilliamLandscape-400x285.jpg)
Bill Boland '73, president of the VMI Board of Visitors, will address the Institute's December graduates.
![The press box atop Foster Stadium has been renovated this spring and summer.—VMI Photo by Kelly Nye.](/media/content-assets/images/news/2019-20/PressBox2020KN01-1-400x266.jpg)
The press box atop Foster Stadium is undergoing a $1.7 million renovation designed to give the Keydets instant replay capabilities, plus make more room for coaches.
![Maj. Steve Knepper and Maddy Moger '20 discuss her research on fairy tales.—VMI Photo by Mary Price.](/media/content-assets/images/news/2017-18/SURIFairyTalesMoger2019MLP0006-1-400x266.jpg)
Maddy Moger '20's summer research project has involved a deeper look at the "whys" of classic fairy tales, using a psychoanalytic approach.
![Andrew Broecker, VMI Class of 2022, prepares to fly a drone while Dr. Hongbo Zhang looks on.—VMI Photo by Kelly Nye.](/media/content-assets/images/news/2017-18/SURISoybeans201917KN[2]-400x270.jpg)
An interdisciplinary project involving the biology and computer science departments could help a local soybean farmer produce higher yields.
![Maj. Paul Ackerman ’93 explains the watering system on the CPTF green roof to Maria Vargas ’22 and Dr. Tanjina Afrin.—VMI Photo by Kelly Nye.](/media/content-assets/images/news/2017-18/SURIGreenRoof201906KN-400x266.jpg)
Is the green roof on the Corps Physical Training Facility saving VMI money? A cadet investigates.
![Maj. Steven Knepper and Krystal Graves discuss her summer research project on the Iliad.—VMI Photo by Mary Price.](/media/content-assets/images/news/2017-18/SURIIliadGraves2019MLP039-1-400x266.jpg)
Krystal Graves '20 is delving into the ancient past to learn about ancient and modern views of war.