Latest news with #VirginiaMilitaryInstitute
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
After ousting first Black superintendent, VMI appoints interim as search continues for new leader
An aerial view of Virginia Military Institute. (Courtesy of Virginia Military Institute) The Virginia Military Institute Board of Visitors named Brigadier General Dallas Clark acting superintendent Saturday afternoon, but didn't set a firm date for when a new superintendent will be selected. It's the first significant decision the school has made concerning its leadership since the board drew scrutiny for opting not to extend the contract of the institution's first Black superintendent in February. Clark, a graduate of VMI, has been working with the institution intermittently as the institute planning officer and deputy superintendent for finance and support at VMI, overseeing several offices, including finance and budget, auxiliary services, and facilities management. Clark's appointment comes after the board launched a search for a new superintendent following its vote against offering an extension past June to Ret. Major General Cedric Wins, the first Black superintendent. The institution desegregated in 1968. The board cast the controversial 6-10 vote without any reasoning, saying only it was 'supremely grateful' for Wins' service after being appointed superintendent in 2020, when the institution was facing public allegations of racism. The Washington Post first reported the accusations, and a state-commissioned investigation later confirmed deep-rooted racial and gender disparities at the school. A resolution read by the board stated that Wins assumed the duties of superintendent 'amid a tumultuous time.' Still, VMI successfully navigated 'a worldwide pandemic, social unrest, and a decade-long decline in admissions applications under his leadership,' the resolution stated. Highlights of Wins' tenure included the school receiving the second-largest number of applications in the institution's history and increasing state funding and major funding for capital projects. Tensions between the superintendent and some of those connected with the institution escalated in 2022 when Wins requested funding to expand Title IX and bolster diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. His effort ignited backlash from a faction of alumni, parents and students tied to the Spirit of VMI PAC, a political action committee that urged supporters to 'reject the woke assault on VMI.' Wins did not comment immediately after the Feb. 28 vote but later defended his leadership, opining that his tenure ended because of 'bias, emotion and ideology' rather than sound judgment. A class of 1986 graduate, Vince Allen, commended the board on Saturday for rolling back the diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. 'The BOV has displayed great courage in facing political pressure in trying to undo the damage done to VMI,' Allen said. 'I encourage continued effort to restore the honor, the ideals and traditions of VMI.' Other speakers, including class of 1975 graduate Ronald Norman, expressed disappointment with the board's decision against Wins, who 'did nothing, but great things for this institute,' Norman said. 'Like some, maybe you blame him for things that occurred even before he got here, if so, odds were stacked against him from day one, no matter how great his performance,' Norman said. 'Did this board make fair and impartial decisions for the good of VMI, or were they personal and hidden agendas?' Cadet Isaiah Glover said Wins inspired him to attend VMI after watching his 2021 Business Insider interview, and experiencing the 'inclusive culture' through sports and the various programs. He hoped VMI would be 'just as inclusive' for future cadets. Thomas Gottwald, interim board president, did not respond to comments about Wins, but commented on Glover's remarks about inclusion. 'I'll tell you, sir, that there's not a person on this board that doesn't share your desire to have an inclusive culture here at VMI for everyone,' Gottwald said. 'The proof's in the pudding. So, I'm telling you you can judge it by our actions.' As of April 22, the superintendent search committee learned around 35 people have expressed interest in becoming the next superintendent. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Time Business News
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Time Business News
Mike Waltz: From the Battlefield to the Halls of Congress
Mike Waltz isn't your typical politician. He's not someone who always dreamed of wearing a suit in Washington or chasing the spotlight. Before anything else, he's a soldier. A dad. A guy who knows what it's like to lead men in combat and lose sleep over decisions that truly matter. Born and raised in Florida, Waltz grew up believing in service. That belief led him to the Virginia Military Institute and eventually into the U.S. Army, where he became a Green Beret. He didn't just serve—he led missions in some of the toughest corners of the world, including Afghanistan. He's been in the fight, literally. That kind of experience doesn't fade; it shapes who you are and how you lead. When Waltz talks about national security or supporting veterans, it's not just talking points—it's personal. He's been there. He knows what it means to put on the uniform and what families go through back home. That's part of why he ran for Congress. He wanted to bring a voice to Washington that understood both the costs of war and the importance of keeping America safe. But Waltz isn't just about defense and foreign policy. He's also a small business owner, a dad to a young daughter, and someone who's deeply invested in what kind of country we're building for the next generation. Whether it's education, the economy, or standing up to threats from abroad, he sees it all through the lens of someone who's lived the consequences of leadership—good and bad. He's a Republican who leans into strong values, but he also pushes for common-sense solutions. In a Congress that often feels stuck in political theater, Waltz comes across as someone who still believes in doing the work. He's not flashy, but he's focused. He believes in grit, preparation, and never backing down from a challenge—traits he picked up in the military and carried with him into public office. At the end of the day, Mike Waltz is a reminder that not all leaders come from boardrooms or political dynasties. Some come from the dirt, the dust, and the danger of serving something bigger than themselves. For Waltz, the mission may have changed—from battlefield to Congress—but the purpose hasn't. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Washington Post
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
VMI's board president quits amid controversy over school leader's contract
John Adams, president of the Virginia Military Institute's board of visitors, abruptly resigned Thursday, according to a VMI spokesperson, weeks ahead of the board's first full meeting since it voted not to extend the contract of Cedric T. Wins, a retired Army major general and VMI's first Black superintendent.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Partisan choice': VMI superintendent responds after vote not to extend contract
Francis H. Smith Hall on the campus of the Virginia Military Institute. (Photo by Nathaniel Cline/Virginia Mercury) The Virginia Military Institute's (VMI) first Black superintendent, Ret. Maj. Gen. Cedric Wins, says 'partisan politics' played a key role in the Board of Visitors' decision to not renew his contract — a move that comes after four and a half years of leadership at the nation's oldest state-supported military college. 'I am disappointed by the Board of Visitors' decision not to renew my contract as superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute,' Wins said in a statement on Thursday. 'This decision was not based on my performance or the tangible progress we achieved. It is the result of a partisan choice that abandons the values of honor, integrity, and excellence upon which VMI was built.' The board, appointed by the governor, held a special closed meeting last week, where members ultimately voted to seek a new leader to replace Wins. Wins took over as VMI's superintendent in 2020, stepping into the role at a time when allegations of racism within the institution had made national headlines. The Washington Post first reported on the accusations, and a state-commissioned investigation later confirmed deep-rooted racial and gender disparities at the school. Tensions escalated further in 2022 when Wins requested funding to expand Title IX and bolster diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. That push sparked backlash from a faction of alumni, parents, and students tied to the Spirit of VMI PAC, a political action committee that urged supporters to 'reject the woke assault on VMI.' Wins did not comment immediately after the Feb. 28 vote, but in his Thursday statement, he defended his leadership, saying he was proud of the work his team accomplished to 'restore VMI's reputation as one of the nation's top-rated institutions.' 'l pledged to protect and modernize VMI while preserving its unique method of education and right traditions,' he wrote, noting that under his tenure, the institution increased state funding by 50% and secured over $321 million for facility upgrades. Wins said VMI reversed a decade-long decline in admissions, secured a $3.8 million grant to boost Pell Grant enrollment, and maintained budget surpluses despite earlier projections. 'There are a tremendous number of faculty, staff and alumni who partnered with me in their support of the institute. They know the worth of VMI and support what it does for these young cadets, regardless of what they look like, where they come from, and how they identify themselves,' Wins said. 'Unfortunately, the winds of resistance by the few have drowned out those who desire to bring the Institute into the 21st century while maintaining the right traditions.' VMI's Board of Visitors President John Adams, appointed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin, did not comment after the board voted 6-10 against renewing Wins' contract. The board, made up largely of Youngkin appointees, saw some division — two members, C. Ernest Edgar IV and retired Rear Adm. Terence McKnight, broke from the majority and voted to extend Wins' contract, while another Youngkin appointee, Maj. Gen. James Ring, was absent from the vote. In a statement following the Feb. 28 vote, Adams expressed appreciation for Wins' leadership but did not elaborate on the board's reasons for the decision. 'The foundation he has provided us will ensure VMI continues to fulfill its vital mission of educating future leaders,' Adams said, adding that the board was 'supremely grateful' for Wins' service during a difficult period for the institute. The statement did not provide details on the search process for a new superintendent. While the board's next scheduled meeting is May 1-3, it remains possible that a special session could be convened sooner to discuss the transition. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Washington Post
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
VMI leader blames ‘bias' and ‘ideology' for vote not to extend contract
The first Black leader of the Virginia Military Institute blamed partisanship for a recent decision by the school's governing board not to renew his contract, saying the move endangers the college and risks returning it to a 'distant past.'
