Virginia Military Institute Newsletter, Volume XL, Number VII, May 2012 New Generation to Make Case for Smart Power Secretary of State Clinton Addresses Corps of Cadets A graduate of Virginia Military Institute led she called “the original three-D guy.” the United States to a position of leadership in Clinton noted the doubtful beginning made the last century, and young people like the VMI by the famous Army general from World War cadets of today will be looked to for similar II and post-war secretary of state, who, when leadership in this century. he arrived at VMI, was shy, scared, awkward, That was the message delivered by Secretary and a mediocre scholar. The urge to succeed of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in VMI’s that brought Marshall success, “that urge to Cameron Hall April 3, when she addressed channel our doubts and uncertainty into a call an audience of more than 2,100, including to be better and stronger,” said Clinton, can be the entire Corps of Cadets, after receiving the applied to our institutions and society. Institute’s Distinguished Diplomat Award. After World War II, she said, “George Marshall “Each of you represents VMI’s commitment knew … the world’s most powerful military was to the common good,” she said. “You build on not sufficient to ensure our security on its own.” a long tradition of service.” And, she pointed out, war-weary American Clinton traced the implementation during her taxpayers didn’t necessarily embrace his vision, term in office of what she calls the “three Ds” of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton addresses just as tight budgets now once more tempt the foreign policy – diplomacy, development, and the Corps of Cadets and local community in American people to pull back. defense – starting with the approach of VMI Cameron Hall. – VMI Photo by Kevin Remington. “There is a dangerous impulse to withdraw alumnus General of the Army George C. Marshall, Class of 1901, whom from our responsibilities,” she said, noting that some of the greatest Please see page 4 North Post Dedication Spirit of VMI Across Generations Inspires Gift BY STEWART MACINNis When our lines start to weaken, For her, the spirit she sees in those our backs fail to gain,... photos and the spirit described in Mrs. Ann Lee Saunders Brown the Spirit express exactly the spirit recites from memory the lines that VMI imbued in her father, Edmund A. describe the low point of the athletic Saunders III more than a century ago. competition recounted in the VMI “My father truly felt there is a gift in Spirit, the Institute’s fight song. Those the spirit of VMI,” she said. lines are the setup for the display of Mrs. Brown will be on hand May grit, determination, and teamwork – 9 for the dedication of the North Post the spirit – needed for the Keydets to training area, a complex dedicated to rise to the challenge. the physical development of cadets that She saw that spirit in photos taken was made possible largely though her last semester. The spirit was etched on generosity and that of her late sister, the faces of cadets wending their way Jane Quinn Saunders. The complex, through tortuous obstacles that are part Sisters Ann Lee Saunders Brown (left) and Jane Quinn Saunders Saunders Fields, is named in honor visit VMI as children. – Photo courtesy of Ann Lee Brown. of the new North Post training area. Please see page 10 PAGE 2, THE INSTITUTE REPOrt, MAY 2012 Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell takes review of a parade of the Corps of Cadets in his capacity as commander in chief of the Virginia Militia during a brief visit to the VMI post March 23. In remarks to the Corps and parade spectators, McDonnell praised the men and women serving the country in the armed forces. – VMI Photo by John Robertson IV. New Fund Established TAPS BY SCOTT BELLIVEAU ’83, VMI FOUNDATION The VMI Foundation has received many gifts in the past few months Col. Alexander H. Morrison ’39 in support of the Institute and the Corps of Cadets. Two of these support VMI lost a link to its earliest days with the death April 8 of Col. Alexander academic and co-curricular activities on post, and two help continue H. Morrison ’39, a great-grandson of Gen. Francis Smith, the Institute’s first VMI’s tradition of providing opportunities for young people to receive a superintendent. Morrison died at his home in Lexington at the age of 95. VMI education. During his cadetship, Morrison was on the editorial staff of the Cadet Colonels Woodson and Lorraine Sadler Mechanical Engineering Fund: newspaper and on the business staff of the Bomb. He was an academically Established by Woodson Sadler ’66 and his wife, Lorraine, better known distinguished graduate with a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts. on post as “Woody” and “Lori,” both retired colonels in the U.S. Marine He joined the faculty in 1939 and served continuously for 42 years, Corps, this fund will provide support for cadet learning projects in the except for military service during World War II and the Korean War and mechanical engineering department, in which Woody Sadler currently graduate studies, retiring in 1981. He was named head of the Department teaches. of Economics in 1961 when that became a separate department. He was Bruce W. Undercoffer 1976 Award: Kathryn L. Undercoffer established the guiding force in the development of the economics curriculum and this award in memory of her son, Bruce W. Undercoffer ’76. The award is the department’s transition to a degree-granting department in 1963, and meant to recognize cadets for the excellence of their poetry, fiction, non- served as department head until 1973. He served on numerous Institute fiction, photography, and art work published in the cadet literary magazine, committees and was especially influential in the formation of the first Sounding Brass. cadet publications board. Jeannette P. Alligood Memorial Scholarship: Providing unrestricted financial assistance to members of the Corps of Cadets, Charles H. Alligood ’61 created this scholarship in the memory of his wife, Jeannette. Institute Report Pete Candler ’71 Memorial Scholarship: To set up this scholarship in Office of Communications and Marketing memory of Pete Candler, his wife, Page S. Candler, and his brother, John Col. Stewart MacInnis – Director Sherri Tombarge – Editor S. Candler ’62, combined resources. This scholarship has a preference to Burton Floyd – Publications Coordinator support cadets who are majoring in one of the liberal arts, such as history Contributors: Scott Belliveau, Kevin Remington and John Robertson IV. or English and fine arts. Printing – McClung Printing,Waynesboro, Va. Eight issues are printed during The VMI Foundation appreciates these gifts made by alumni and friends the academic year. Inquiries, suggestions, news items, or address changes for the overall betterment of the Institute. For more information on making should be directed to: Editor, The Institute Report, VMI Communications a major gift in support of VMI, contact Warren J. Bryan ’71 at the VMI and Marketing, Lexington, Virginia 24450-0304, Telephone 540-464-7207, Foundation by e-mail at [email protected] or phone at 1-800-444-1839, Fax 540-464-7443 ext. 236. THE INSTITUTE REPOrt, MAY 2012, PAGE 3 Program Allows Donors to Form Up on the Bricks Once More BY SCOTT BELLIVEAU ’83, VMI FOUNDATION During this spring’s reunion weekends – and just about any time large however, will be seen by all visitors to post, including and especially any number of alumni are on Post – people will see an initially curious sight: Brother Rats.” dozens of people walking in front of barracks with their gazes firmly fixed Norma Robinson, who works in the alumni and reunion giving office, on the sidewalk. Some might think that they are looking for some lost item, knows that the Brick Program is important to alumni. “As soon as any like car keys or a cell phone. Others might wonder just what deep thoughts class begins its Reunion Campaign, I start to get calls and messages are causing them to walk in such a contemplative manner. There isn’t much from alumni, asking how close they are to getting a brick. They want of a mystery to this phenomenon because, in all likelihood, these people to ensure that their bricks are on the walk when their classes gather for are looking for their names or the names of Brother Rats and faculty, staff, reunions.” and friends of VMI on the bricks that pave the sidewalk. Webb agreed. “Many times, I have been visited by alumni who, during a Since the summer of 2002, the brick sidewalk in front of Barracks visit to VMI, have noticed the names in their respective class sections and has been where the Institute honors those people who have given at least noted the absence of theirs. Many ask me how they need to give in order $2,500 in support of VMI since July 1, 1998, the beginning of VMI’s last to receive their own bricks and make the needed donation on the spot.” comprehensive capital campaign, Reveille: A Call to Excel. A brick on which Whatever the reasons alumni and friends have for wanting a brick in is engraved the name of the donor is placed in the sidewalk with his or her the sidewalk, for the VMI alumni agencies, the reason for the program is class or, if the donor is not an alumnus, in a special section reserved for simple: gratitude. friends, faculty, and staff. Donors also are able to purchase a brick – or “Private money has been an important component in VMI’s finances up to a total of five additional bricks – in honor of friends, relatives, or for a very long time, but, in the past decade and a half, it has propelled deceased Brother Rats.