In Alma Mater's Name

Friday, March 21, 2025

Hi ,

We write to you today with deep disappointment. It has now been two weeks since we, a diverse group of over 1,000 Virginia Military Institute alumni, faculty, parents, and supporters spanning more than 60 graduating classes, sent an open letter to the Board of Visitors. In that letter, we respectfully posed four straightforward questions concerning the Board’s decision not to renew the contract of Maj. Gen. Cedric Wins as Superintendent.

The Board has chosen not to respond directly, instead issuing a campus-wide memo that they are “not authorized to discuss personnel matters.” We find this response insufficient, as it ignores the four questions. They have not acknowledged our concerns, nor provided any rationale for this decision. On the other hand, within one week of their 10-6 closed door vote with no public input, they have organized a search committee to proceed with identifying a new Superintendent.

VMI is built upon core values of honor, duty, and service—principles that this Board’s actions have undermined:

• The Honor Code – Integrity and Accountability: The Board’s secrecy contradicts the standard of honesty expected of every cadet and leader at VMI.
• Leadership and Duty – Commitment to the VMI Community: Strong leaders serve their institutions selflessly. The Board’s lack of transparency fails this standard.
• Commitment to Excellence – Stability and Institutional Progress: Removing a proven leader without offering a clear plan for the future disrupts VMI’s momentum.
• Service and Patriotism – Putting VMI Above Politics: Any indication that political interests influenced this decision is a betrayal of VMI’s mission.
• Camaraderie and Brotherhood – A Shared Responsibility: The Board’s disregard for alumni voices weakens the bonds that unite the VMI community.

Their secrecy, conduct and silence is unacceptable and unbecoming of a governing board tasked with overseeing a state-funded institution of higher learning. It is unbecoming of any VMI entity. It compels us to ask further critical questions:

• Why have they ignored, and why do they refuse to answer, the four questions posed by a collection of alumni, cadets, faculty, staff, parents and supporters? 
• Is this level of unresponsiveness acceptable from a governing board of a state-funded college? 
• Who influenced the decision? Do they serve the VMI community and the Commonwealth, or do they serve a political action committee? 
• How does this decision align with VMI’s stated mission and values?
• Is it appropriate for sitting members of the Board of Visitors to fund a political action committee that has actively worked to undermine Maj. Gen. Wins’ leadership, including in public forums? 
• How can the Board form a selection committee in one week, yet fail to respond to a letter delivered on behalf of VMI alumni, cadets, faculty, staff, parents, and supporters?

Earlier this week, General Wins addressed board members of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia where he warned against colleges and universities being used as political footballs:

“Politicization of our higher education system is short-sighted, and may have unintended consequences. This politicization further pits cadets, faculty, staff and alumni against one another, creating a toxic organizational culture,” Wins said. “For the sake of all colleges and universities, our cadets, faculty and staff, I ask you to push back against allowing our institutions to be used as political footballs.”

You may read the entire article published on Tuesday in the Richmond Times-Dispatch at this link.

We share these concerns, and believe the conduct of the Board of Visitors in this matter undermines VMI’s core values and the mission of the Institute.

As we move forward to next steps, we encourage you to consider the following actions:

1. Share this open letter with fellow alumni who may wish to join us in this effort.
2. Contact and/or write a letter to the Board of Visitors, requesting they answer these questions openly and honestly.
3. Send a letter to a local news outlet or publish your thoughts on social media to help amplify our concerns, and draw attention to these questions.

This lack of transparency and accountability erodes trust in the Board’s leadership. VMI deserves better. The Commonwealth deserves better. The cadets, past and present, who uphold VMI’s legacy deserve better. Our alma mater deserves nothing less.

Sincerely, 

In Alma Mater’s Name