Latest news with #Wins
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘I'm leaving here with my head held high': community celebration held for outgoing VMI superintendent
LEXINGTON, Va. (WFXR) — First Baptist Church in Lexington hosted a community celebration for outgoing VMI superintendent Major General Cedric T. Wins on Sunday afternoon. Wins was the school's first African American superintendent and its 15th overall, holding the position since 2021. A 1985 graduate of the Institute, the community gathered to reflect on Wins' accomplishments across those four years at the helm of his alma mater. 'I'm just a little humbled by it and overwhelmed at the same time,' said Wins. 'I guess it shows that people really do feel like we had an opportunity to make a difference.' 'The community wanted to come together and tell him and show him how much they appreciated him,' said First Baptist Church pastor Rev. McKinley Williams. 'Regardless of a board vote, it wasn't reflective of the community.' Wins will step away from his post on June 30, after the school's Board of Visitors voted 10-6 against renewing his contract in February. Following the decision, then board president John Adams released the following statement: 'The BOV is supremely grateful to Major General Wins for his service to the Institute during some very difficult times. The foundation he has provided us will ensure VMI continues to fulfill its vital mission of educating future leaders. We would also like to extend our thanks to Mrs. Cassandra Wins for her support of VMI.' WFXR reached out to incoming board president Col. James Inman for comment following Sunday's event but have not yet received a response. The decision to part ways came as a surprise to Wins, who felt he had put VMI on the right track during his tenure. 'Obviously yes, there was some disappointment,' he said. 'But I tend to look at things on the bright side. I'm a half full kind of guy. And I know that when one door closes, another one will open.' Wins was known for his diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts at the school, particularly after a state report said VMI failed to address institutional racism and sexism. His efforts faced pushback from some conservative alumni. 'I'm leaving here with my head certainly held high, feeling as though I was able to accomplish some things in a short period of time,' Wins said. The Board of Visitors passed a resolution in May granting Wins the status of superintendent emeritus, applauding his work in leading the Institute through the COVID-19 pandemic, reversing declining enrollment trends, and increasing school funding. VMI's Board of Visitors says it is continuing the search for its next superintendent. Brigadier General Dallas Clark will replace Wins on July 1 in an interim capacity. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Global News
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Global News
Global News Weekend at 6 Calgary: May 11, 2025
Calgarians flocked to a special market this weekend at southcentre mall, and this year the Mother's day market brought on a local non-profit to spread awareness to an important issue. Wins support women through various programs whether its providing basic needs, goal management and even parental support…..Five thousand Calgarians showed up bright and early this morning for the 48th annual Sport Chek Mother's Day walk….The city is looking to dip into its rainy day fund to make urgent traffic safety improvements like speed bumps and infrastructure upgrades
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
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
VMI's first Black superintendent says ouster is based on politics, not job performance
The first Black superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute says his forced departure by the board stems from bias, ideology and politics in the wake of diversity efforts rather than his job performance. In his first statement since the board voted against renewing his contract, retired Army Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins said the decision was "a partisan choice that abandons the values of honor, integrity, and excellence upon which VMI was built.' 'Unfortunately, the winds of resistance by the few have drowned out those who desire to bring the institute into the 21st Century,' wrote Wins, a 1985 graduate of the public college in the Shenandoah Valley. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Schools and colleges across the U.S. have been rolling back diversity programs after President Donald Trump threatened to pull federal funding. But resistance to such efforts at VMI, a 189-year-old school that educated Gens. George Patton and George Marshall, has been notably present among some alumni for several years. Wins officially became superintendent in 2021 — a year when VMI was undergoing a racial reckoning and diversity programs were being put into place. A state-sponsored report had blasted VMI for tolerating and failing to address institutional racism and sexism. In response, Wins highlighted changes that included a committee focused on diversity, equity and inclusion. The school had removed a prominent statue of Confederate Gen. Stonewall Jackson, who taught at VMI. It hired its first chief diversity officer and created a cultural awareness training program. And it changed a student-run honor court that disproportionately expelled Black cadets, according to The Washington Post. VMI did not accept African Americans until 1968 or accept women until after a 1996 U.S. Supreme Court ruling. Some alumni said the changes were crucial for training cadets for the real world and for aligning with the U.S. military's goals at the time. Shah Rahman, a 1997 VMI graduate, told The Associated Press in 2021 he was hopeful about the changes. 'Wins attending VMI as a man of color is an important part of the overall reason for my hope,' Rahman said. But others called the efforts 'woke' or on par with 'critical race theory.' A group called The Spirt of VMI has been particularly critical. It said in 2023 that VMI's DEI efforts sowed division and were designed 'to cow Americans into agreeing with the fundamental premise that white people are inherently and irredeemably racist.' The efforts began to meet some resistance as the political climate changed. For example, VMI changed the name of its DEI office to Diversity, Opportunity, and Inclusion to match the title of Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin's diversity office in Richmond, The Washington Post reported. Youngkin's chief diversity officer also visited VMI's campus in 2023 and said 'DEI is dead." The school's chief diversity officer, a Black woman, resigned later that year. Last week, VMI's board voted 10 - 6 against extending Wins' contract. It said in a statement that it was grateful for his service "during some very difficult times.' Wins will step down in June. Sherry Wallace, a VMI spokesperson, said Friday that the board would not be commenting on Wins' statement. In his statement, Wins warned against focusing 'on our distant past believing it will produce tomorrow's leaders of character." 'I believe their choice to subject cadets to a cycle of politicization is misfeasance that endangers VMI and the future of our nation,' he said.
Associated Press
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
VMI's first Black superintendent says ouster is based on politics, not job performance
The first Black superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute says his forced departure by the board stems from bias, ideology and politics in the wake of diversity efforts rather than his job performance. In his first statement since the board voted against renewing his contract, retired Army Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins said the decision was 'a partisan choice that abandons the values of honor, integrity, and excellence upon which VMI was built.' 'Unfortunately, the winds of resistance by the few have drowned out those who desire to bring the institute into the 21st Century,' wrote Wins, a 1985 graduate of the public college in the Shenandoah Valley. Schools and colleges across the U.S. have been rolling back diversity programs after President Donald Trump threatened to pull federal funding. But resistance to such efforts at VMI, a 189-year-old school that educated Gens. George Patton and George Marshall, has been notably present among some alumni for several years. Wins officially became superintendent in 2021 — a year when VMI was undergoing a racial reckoning and diversity programs were being put into place. state-sponsored report had blasted VMI for tolerating and failing to address institutional racism and sexism. In response, Wins highlighted changes that included a committee focused on diversity, equity and inclusion. The school had removed a prominent statue of Confederate Gen. Stonewall Jackson, who taught at VMI. It hired its first chief diversity officer and created a cultural awareness training program. And it changed a student-run honor court that disproportionately expelled Black cadets, according to The Washington Post. VMI did not accept African Americans until 1968 or accept women until after a 1996 U.S. Supreme Court ruling. Some alumni said the changes were crucial for training cadets for the real world and for aligning with the U.S. military's goals at the time. Shah Rahman, a 1997 VMI graduate, told The Associated Press in 2021 he was hopeful about the changes. 'Wins attending VMI as a man of color is an important part of the overall reason for my hope,' Rahman said. But others called the efforts 'woke' or on par with 'critical race theory.' A group called The Spirt of VMI has been particularly critical. It said in 2023 that VMI's DEI efforts sowed division and were designed 'to cow Americans into agreeing with the fundamental premise that white people are inherently and irredeemably racist.' The efforts began to meet some resistance as the political climate changed. For example, VMI changed the name of its DEI office to Diversity, Opportunity, and Inclusion to match the title of Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin's diversity office in Richmond, The Washington Post reported. Youngkin's chief diversity officer also visited VMI's campus in 2023 and said 'DEI is dead.' The school's chief diversity officer, a Black woman, resigned later that year. Last week, VMI's board voted 10 - 6 against extending Wins' contract. It said in a statement that it was grateful for his service 'during some very difficult times.' Wins will step down in June. Sherry Wallace, a VMI spokesperson, said Friday that the board would not be commenting on Wins' statement. In his statement, Wins warned against focusing 'on our distant past believing it will produce tomorrow's leaders of character.'
