Headlines
![December graduates toss their gloves into the air following the commencement ceremonies.](/media/content-assets/images/news/2016-17/DecGraduation2017HLM00205-400x275.jpg)
Over 40 cadets will receive their diplomas and 11 will take the commissioning oath in ceremonies held Dec. 19 and 20 in Jackson Memorial Hall.
![Nina Srikongyos ’15 poses in front the Army Ranger school sign at Victory Pond in Fort Benning, Georgia, after her graduation in November.—Photo courtesy of Nina Srikongyos ’15.](/media/content-assets/images/news/2016-17/Untitled-2-398x300.jpg)
Nattachat “Nina” Srikongyos graduated from Ranger School in November to become the eighth woman and the first Thai-American woman to successfully complete the training.
![Gen. J.H. Binford Peay congratulates the rugby team in Memorial Garden.](/media/content-assets/images/news/2016-17/RugbyPeay2018KN15-1-400x266.jpg)
VMI rugby reached the highest level of play in its 50-year history, defeating Norwich before falling to University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in the Division II championship.
![Cadets patrol through the forest during field training exercises.](/media/content-assets/images/news/2016-17/FallFTXSaturday2018HLM019-1-400x266.jpg)
For commissioning cadets, the link between academic learning and the real world becomes closer than ever over the winter months, as many learn their branch assignments in the armed services.
![Cadets gather to discuss an ethical dilemma during the 2017 ethics bowl.](/media/content-assets/images/news/2016-17/EthicsBowl1-1-400x266.jpg)
The VMI Ethics Team won two rounds at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl on Nov. 18, defeating the University of North Georgia and Davidson College.
![The rugby team gathers for a photo on the pitch.](/media/content-assets/images/news/2016-17/RUGBY2017-1-400x266.jpg)
VMI's rugby team has qualified for the national semifinals for the first time in the program’s 50-year history, and will take on Norwich University in Greenville, South Carolina, Dec. 2.
![](/media/content-assets/images/news/2016-17/RatChallenge2018KN154-400x266.jpg)
Rat Challenge, an intensive 10-week program that pushes the limits of physicality and mental strength for new cadets, will culminate in Rat Olympics.
![Dr. Dee Mornah teaches a class on entrepreneurship in Scott Shipp Hall on Sept. 19.](/media/content-assets/images/news/2016-17/Entrepreneurship2018AMW011-1-400x266.jpg)
Dr. Dekuwmini "Dee" Mornah is planning to lead a group of cadets in Ghana next summer—and he's passionate about teaching entrepreneurship on post.
Nearly 300 VMI cadets, students from other institutions of higher education, and members of the public heard viewpoints from across the political spectrum this week.
![Judge Andrew Napolitano speaks to the crowd during in Gillis Theatre.](/media/content-assets/images/news/2016-17/LeadershipNapolitano2018HLM263-1-400x269.jpg)
Judge and Fox News judicial commentator Andrew Napolitano spoke Monday, Oct. 30, as part of the eighth annual leadership and ethics conference.