THEVOLUME INSTITUTE XXX, NUMBERREPORT, 7,MAY APRIL/MAY, 31, 2004, 2003PAGE 1

Volume XXXI, Number 8 May 31, 2004 Chairman Tells VMI Grads Nation Needs Their Leadership The two hundred and thirty-five “You don’t have to wear a cadets who received degrees uniform to serve,” he said. “There during the Institute’s are plenty of ways to serve. But for commencement exercise May 15 those of you who took the oath of enter a world that needs the office yesterday, much will be leadership they will provide. asked of you.” That was among the messages He was referring to the 93 cadets given them by Air Force Gen. who were commissioned as Richard B. Myers, chairman of the officers in the U.S. armed forces Joint Chiefs of Staff, in his the day prior to graduation. In commencement address in a addition, seven international crowded Cameron Hall. cadets were commissioned in the “This moment in the history of military services of their native our nation is far too important,” countries. he said. “The stakes are incredibly Cadet Matthew York ’04 General Richard Myers Myers said their talents as leaders high. We are fighting a war against will be needed in the military extremists who use terror as their preferred weapon.” service. He predicted many of the new graduates who enter military Speaking just two days after returning from a visit to Iraq, Myers said service will be deployed and will be asked to serve in harm’s way. he had confidence in Americans serving in the military and their leaders. Whether in the armed forces or in civilian lives, he said, the education He added that there was never a more important time for Americans to they received at VMI will stand them in good stead because they have serve their country. Continued on page 12 Students to Attend Junior War College As many as 300 high school students from across America will come to Lexington during the summer to participate in the first-ever Junior War College, according to Col. Floyd Duncan, Roberts Professor of Free Enterprise Economics and director of the program. “The students who attend the Junior War College are truly unique,” Duncan said. “Almost all of the students who accept this invitation are interested in a military career — many are enrolled in JROTC pro- grams.” Sponsored by the national non-profit organization LeadAmerica, the program consists of three sessions lasting 10 days each. The first ses- sion begins June 27 and the last session ends July 30. As many as 100 Little Sorrel, Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson’s warhorse, is man- students will participate in each session, and they will use facilities at handled up the steps of the Marshall Museum to its temporary both VMI and Washington and Lee University. exhibit space. The horse died in 1886 and its hide was mounted LeadAmerica sponsors a variety of invitational leadership conferences on a wood-and-plaster frame. Little Sorrel was moved May 24 as for young people with leadership potential. Through briefings and the VMI Museum is being cleared for renovations that will begin Continued on page 11 early next year. PAGE 2, THE INSTITUTE REPORT, MAY 31, 2004 Warfare Specialist to Take Biggs Chair Dr. Geoffrey Jensen, an expert on counterinsurgency and modern European military history, will join the fac- ulty in August to take the prestigious John Biggs ’30 Cin- cinnati Chair in Military History. Jensen is currently an associate professor of history at University of Southern Mississippi. “Geoff Jensen is one of the most brilliant historians received Mellon, Fulbright, and MacArthur Foundation working in the areas of counterinsurgency and modern Fellowships. Jensen has begun a book-length study of military history, and I am very eager to have him at VMI Spanish colonial policies in North Africa. and working with our cadets,” said Brig. Gen. Charles F. “I’m very excited about coming to VMI,” Jensen said. Brower IV, deputy superintendent and dean of the fac- “I especially look forward to teaching the Institute’s ulty. “Military history is a natural and valued niche for cadets and joining such a strong history department. I VMI, and by joining our faculty Geoff provides additional have always been impressed with VMI’s strong sense of luster to that aspect of our curriculum.” tradition and history, and I feel honored to become a A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Indiana University, Jensen part of it.” earned both his master’s and doctoral degrees at Yale. During 1999- Jensen’s courses this fall at VMI will be “A Broken World: Europe 2000, he was a visiting senior lecturer at Great Britain’s Royal Military from 1919-1945,” and “Modern Spain: Civil War and Colonial Con- Academy, Sandhurst. flict.” He also expects to involve cadets in his research program, perhaps Jensen is an internationally respected scholar whose primary aca- including archival research in Spain and elsewhere in Europe during demic interest is modern European military history. He is author of the the summers. He plans to continue his research into, and teaching of, forthcoming biography, Franco: Soldier, Commander, Dictator. His European counterinsurgency in North Africa and its relationship to simi- other publications include Irrational Triumph: Cultural De- lar campaigns elsewhere. spair, Military Nationalism, and the Ideological Origins of Franco’s In addition to his teaching duties, Jensen will continue as editor of Spain and War in the Age of Technology: The Myriad Faces of Mod- Society for Spanish and Portuguese Historical Studies Bulletin, an ern Armed Conflict, co-edited with Andrew Wiest. important journal with an international readership that he will bring He has also published articles or chapters in the SSPHS Bulletin, La with him to VMI. Historia en el 92, and the Journal of Contemporary History. He has NSF Funds Planning for Chemistry Consortium The National Science Foundation has provided $50,000 to plan for an Undergraduate Research Center in Chemistry by a consortium of educational institutions that includes VMI, said Col. Henry Schreiber, outgoing head of the Department of Chemistry. Schreiber credited Dr. Rob Granger of Sweet Briar College and principal investigator for the project, for pulling together a proposal that was well received at the NSF. Granger taught at VMI from 1993 to 1999. A detailed proposal seeking as much as $1 million over several years to implement the project will be produced with the planning grant, and is expected to be submitted in time for consideration by NSF in January. The consortium will allow each institution to draw on the strengths of other members. The institutions have had a combined total of 43 summer undergraduate researchers in chemistry. Implementation of the project will allow that number to be doubled within five years, and will allow for the placement of 20 additional students each summer either in an internship or in a cooperative experience. In addition, the consortium will help provide improvements to facilities and instrumentation at the member institutions, as well as create a formal network of stakeholders and new partnerships with industry and K-12 schools in the region. Other members of the consortium are Lynchburg College, Randolph-Macon Woman’s College, Hampden-Sydney College, Washington and Lee University, and Hollins University. Additionally, faculty at Central Virginia Community College and the Central Virginia Governor’s School for Math and Science have expressed and interest in participating in the consortium. Report to Investors and Honor Roll of Donors On-Line The Institute Report Office of Communications and Marketing The VMI Alumni Agencies’ Report to Investors and the Honor Col. Ken White, Director Lt. Col. Stewart MacInnis, Associate Director Roll of Donors for Fiscal Year 2003 remain available on the VMI Burton Floyd, Publications Manager website. Links to both publications can be found on the homepage Other Contributors: of the VMI Foundation: www.vmi.edu/show.asp?durki=774. Both are Chris Clark; Kevin Remington; Scott Belliveau ’83; Capt. Kristin L. Galloway, USAF; presented in Adobe PDF format. CDR Timothy McElhannon, USN; Maj. John Wranek, USA ’85; Wade Branner ’83; A printed version of the Honor Roll of Donors will appear in the Amy DeHart; Cadets Joel Andrus ’04. forthcoming edition of the VMI Alumni Review. An unbound, printed Printing – The News-Gazette, Lexington, Va. The Institute Report is published by the VMI Office of Communications and Marketing. Eight version of the Report to Investors is available as well. Requests issues are printed during the academic year. Inquiries, suggestions, news items, or address should be directed to Scott Belliveau ’83, the VMI Foundation’s di- changes should be directed to Editor, The Institute Report, VMI Communications and Marketing, Lexington, Virginia 24450-0304. Current and past issues are available on the world wide web at: rector of communications. He may be reached by telephone at (800) http://new.vmi.edu/show.asp?durki=458 444-1839, extension 242, or via e-mail at [email protected]. Telephone 540-464-7207 Fax 540-464-7443 E-Mail:[email protected] THE INSTITUTE REPORT, MAY 31, 2004, PAGE 3 Reveille: Down the Stretch It Comes! In the months of May and June, even casual sports fans are aware of $200 a year for five years, it would mean $2 million for VMI over the running of the storied Triple Crown. Undeniably, the most thrilling the next five years and do a lot to fulfill Reveille’s overarching part of a race, like the Preakness, comes when the horses pound down goal: to accelerate the progress of every program at VMI.” the stretch toward the finish line. Now, Reveille: A Call to Excel is in its own home stretch with the Keep Up with Reveille finish line of June 30 in sight. With The Institute Report on hiatus until late August, the While a comprehensive capital campaign’s final days might not make best way to keep up with Reveille: A Call to people leap to their feet to watch the finish, what they might mean for Excel will be on the campaign’s site on the VMI’s future is worth the attention of the VMI family. Spurred by a strong World Wide Web. performance by Annual Giving, as of May 1 the campaign had raised Hosted by the VMI website, the Reveille $196.4 million in gifts and commitments. site will feature updates on the campaign’s In other words, it was less than $4 million away from the $200 million progress in its last few weeks and stories mark with a mere eight weeks to go. related to the campaign, including profiles “As always, I am satisfied by the campaign’s progress in terms of dollars pledged and received because every penny raised means a of people who are prominent in philan- stronger VMI,” said George G. Phillips Jr. ’60, chairman of Reveille. “I thropy on behalf of VMI. am pleased that, too, of the more than 15,500 people who have made a The address for the Reveille news page is: gift or commitment, 8,152 are alumni. That’s 56 percent of our alumni! www.vmi.edu/show.asp?durki=140. So, please visit, bookmark “Now, its time for those who have procrastinated about Reveille to join the site, and return often for updated news and features as this effort,” Phillips added. “If just 2,000 donors made a commitment of Reveille finishes its important work for the Institute. Annual Giving Making a Strong Finish The rapid pace with which Reveille is approaching the $200 million mark can be credited to a number of people, but a group deserving special mention is this year’s donors to VMI Annual Giving. As of May 1, all three funds that constitute Annual Giving have posted gains over their performance last year and are performing so strongly that there is a good chance that Annual Giving could surpass the record of $3.8 million set just last year. Last year, the Foundation Fund had raised $1.26 million by this time; this year, it already has received $1.39 million. The Keydet Club Scholarship Fund had raised about $888,000 by last May; it started May 2004 with more than $1.05 million. The Athletic Operations Fund has made extraordinary gains, taking in $495,219 by May 1 — an increase of $217,893 over its tally of a year ago. All told, VMI Annual Giving’s receipts are up by $519,299 from last year at this time and total $2,947,061. The VMI Alumni Agencies have been concerned about the decrease in the percentage of alumni who donate to Annual Giving. The latest figures, however, show a dramatic increase in alumni participation and within all three funds. Thus, as of May 1, VMI Annual Giving had 3,243 donors, a gain of 620 from 2,623 on May 1, 2003. “It is, of course, very satisfying to see the increase in dollars that have been received by all three funds,” said Jane Dunlap, acting director of Annual Giving. “The big news, however, is that this year may prove to be the one in which 14 years of decline in alumni participation is reversed. In the next few weeks, we hope that the momentum of these past few months continues and Annual Giving ends fiscal year 2004 by not only setting a new contribution record, but also by positively changing the direction of participation in this annual effort to support VMI and its exciting future.” Pierpoint Named Olmsted Scholar Air Force Capt. Nathan R. Pierpoint ’98 is among 17 officers from all military branches selected in as Olmsted Scholars this year. The scholarship will allow Pierpoint, an electronic warfare officer, to study for two years at Budapest University of Economics. Pierpoint is only the second VMI graduate to win one of the prestigious Olmsted Scholarships. He is scheduled to begin his two-year course of studies in Budapest in September. Established by the late Maj. Gen. George Olmsted, the program’s aim is to give rising American military leaders more exposure and sensitivity to foreign cultures – something Olmsted thought Americans lacked. A 1922 West Point graduate, Olmsted was instrumental in setting up a network of factories and supply routes along China’s rivers during World War II. While in China, he had to interact with Chinese and Japanese officials. It was then he realized that in order for our nation to prosper, we had to understand other cultures. The George and Carol Olmsted Foundation provides educational grants for career line officers from the four branches of the military to pursue graduate-level studies in a foreign country. With this year’s scholars, more than 400 officers have studied in 48 countries in the 46 years since the program was established. PAGE 4, THE INSTITUTE REPORT, MAY 31, 2004 Undergraduate Research Program Achieves National Recognition VMI’s Undergraduate Research Miras ’06 represented the chem- Program continues to grow in stat- istry department. Turner mentored ure with invitations for the chemistry cadets. presentations and articles con- Cadet Matt Anderson ’04 at- cerning the program extended for tended from the Department of a national audience of educators. Civil Engineering. Col. Grigg In addition, VMI is joining with Mullen, professor of civil engineer- Washington & Lee University to ing, mentored Anderson. host the 2005 National Conference The Department of Electrical of Undergraduate Research, or Engineering was represented by NCUR, next April. cadets Kanchanadet Banchusuwan NCUR is the only annual event ’05 and Wei-Han Jeng ’05, who for undergraduate students at hun- were mentored by Col. Shawn dreds of colleges nationwide to Addington, professor of electrical present research from a broad lib- engineering. Another EE team con- More than 75 cadets presented the results of their research in more eral arts curricula, politics to sisting of cadets Paul Kuwick ’05, than 60 sessions during the Undergraduate Research Symposium physics, literature to fine arts. Thomas Largi ’05, and Dennis held April 20. The sessions representing research by cadets in ev- More than 2,500 students and fac- ery discipline represented at VMI, and showed the depth of Crump ’06, was mentored by Maj. ulty members from across the commitment to undergraduate research, said Brig. Gen. Charles F. Jim Squire, assistant professor of nation are expected to attend the Brower IV, deputy superintendent for academics and dean of the electrical engineering. 2005 conference in Lexington. faculty. Cadet Charles Feazelle ’05 of the Col. James E. Turner ’65, pro- Department of History was fessor of chemistry/biology and director of Undergraduate Research, mentored by Col. Malcolm Muir, professor of history and director of was asked to address the 2004 NCUR conference on the “Institutional- the Adams ’71 Center for Military History and Strategic Analysis. ization of Undergraduate Research at VMI.” Turner was also elected to The Physics Department was represented by a presentation of the a three-year term to the NCUR Board of Governors. work of Cadet Rob Serig ’04. He was mentored by Lt. Col. Stacy Vargas, Turner said VMI was also invited to submit an article on the Institute’s associate professor of physics and astronomy. Undergraduate Research Initiative for the Council for Undergraduate Also attending the meeting was Mary Wright, special assistant to the Research national publication, Quarterly. dean, Col. Turk McCleskey, professor of history and the NCUR 2005 VMI stresses undergraduate research in all disciplines. Research in- Program Co-Chair, and Washington and Lee faculty members. volves scholarly activity in the broadest sense: as either an application of professional expertise or as a critical investigation conducted ac- cording to standards of the discipline involved. Marshall Day Every academic department sponsors individual cadet projects, rec- ognizing that often the most meaningful academic experiences come through one-on-one interactions with faculty advisers outside the tra- ditional classroom environment. The largest contingent of VMI cadets ever made presentations to the 2004 national conference. Seventeen cadets attended the 2004 NCUR conference held in Indianapolis, April 15-17. In addition, five faculty members and one staff member accompa- nied the cadets from the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, History, as well as the Undergradu- ate Research Office. Overall, cadets made sixteen presentations and submitted eight manuscripts for publication in the NCUR 2004 Pro- ceedings, which was the largest number ever for VMI. Eight cadets representing the biology department were Josh Fox ’04, Matt Park ’04, Andy Cochet ’05, Joshua Simulcik ’05, Yang-His Tsai ’05, Heather Brown ’06, Jessica Fulton ’06, and Mary Kathryn Osborne ’06. Turner and Maj. Wade Bell, assistant professor of biology, mentored A helicopter lands on VMI’s parade ground on Marshall Day, the biology cadets. April 16. Hundreds of cadets and visitors took the opportunity Cadets Derrick Borthwick ’04, Andrew Paul ’04, and Heather Marie to view the numerous displays of military equipment. THE INSTITUTE REPORT, MAY 31, 2004, PAGE 5 Cadets Recognized at Awards Ceremony The Institute recognized the accomplishments of cadets during the The Asa S. Dearing Medal to a member of the graduating class who annual Cadets Awards Ceremony held May 13 at J.M. Hall. has demonstrated the highest proficiency in the study of English and The awards were presented by Dolores Smith, president of the Virginia English Literature, to Robert Gregory II ’04. Division of the United Daughters of the Confederacy; Rebecca Ferguson, The Military Order of the Leadership Award, to a second recorder general of military service awards for the United Daughters of classman from each of the four ROTC components and a cadet that the Confederacy; Capt. Norman Jasper, member of the Military Order of holds rank within the corps of cadets. The recipients of this award World Wars and department commander of the Military Order of the have distinguished themselves through selfless service, integrity, Purple Heart; Sam Ukrop, member of the Sixth Marine Division initiative, and courage while in a leadership position, to Marine, Saul Association; Wilfred Howsmon Jr., chairman of the Burress Newsome ’05; Navy, Conor Heely ’05; Air Force, Derek Rankin ’05; and Marksmanship Award of the 100th Infantry Division Association; and Army, Eric Huggard ’05. Col. Thomas Fergusson, U.S. Army (retired). The Patrick Henry Patriotism Award to a cadet who has excelled in The John Ryd Bush Award, to a member of the fourth class deemed patriotic activities in memory of Dr. Charles A. Young ‘38, to Terrence most worthy because of valiant character and military proficiency, to Slack ’06. Daniel Strasser ’07. The Francis H. Smith Award, to a cadet of the rising first class who The John Randolph Tucker Carmichael Award (third class), for has exhibited outstanding academic achievement, extracurricular significant accomplishments in biology studies, to Mary Osborne ’06. participation, leadership ability, and demonstrated potential for a The Alvin F. Meyer, Class of 1941 Award, to the first-standing first professional career, to Ty Denby ’05 and Jonathan Corrado ’05. classman in civil engineering studies, to Eric Hepfer ’04. The Charles H. Dayhuff. Jr. ’31 First Captain Award, to the highest- The Civil Engineering Award, to the graduating member of the civil ranking cadet in the cadet regiment for 2004-2005, to Jonathan Corrado engineering curriculum who is declared by the department head to ’05. have stood first in civil engineering for four years to Eric Hepfer ’04. The Captain John W. Kennedy ‘69 Award, to the outstanding Air Force The John Bowie Gray Award, to the first-standing third classman in ROTC graduate, to Roderick James ’04. civil engineering, to Kyle Schriefer ’06. The Scottish-American Military Society Dirk Award, to a cadet who The Lemuel MacKennie Long Jarman Award, for outstanding exhibits leadership characteristics in keeping with the Scottish American scholarship, conduct, and character in a member of the fourth class, to Military Traditions, to Scott Campbell ’04. Jamaal Walton ’07. The Maj. Gen. Richard C. Coupland ‘15 Electrical Engineering Award, The Philip H. Killey Award (second class), for significant to a second classman majoring in electrical engineering who has accomplishments in biology studies, to Walter Shakespeare ’05. demonstrated academic excellence, outstanding leadership abilities, The Commodore Matthew Fontaine Maury Award, to the first-standing and high moral standards, to Kanchanadet Banchusuwan ’05. graduate in the mathematics/computer science curriculum, to Morgan The Leslie German Second Class Award, for excellence in the study of Harris ’04. analytical chemistry, to Daniel Harrison ’05. The John H. French Medal, to a member of the graduating class for The Herbert E. Ritchey First Class Award, for excellence in the study highest proficiency in mathematics, to Morgan Harris ’04. of organic chemistry to Jillian Hafer ’04. The United Daughters of the Confederacy Stonewall Jackson Award, The Richard Driggs LeMay Jr. Award, for highest proficiency in military to the first-standing graduate in the physics curriculum, Thananart history, to Benjamin Nehrke ’04. Klongcheongsan ’04. The Commander Harry Millard Mason Military Proficiency Award, to The Ralph Bowen Linville Award, for excellence by a member of the a graduating cadet selected as the most militarily proficient, to Benjamin fourth class majoring in chemistry, to Carolyn Lanier ’07. Nehrke ’04. The Richard F. Stolz International Studies Award, for the graduating The Lt. Randolph T. Townsend Award, to the first-standing graduate International Studies major who best exemplifies integrity, scholarship, in the history curriculum, to Nadia Wendlandt ’04. and an abiding curiosity of international affairs, to Ryan Consaul ’04. The James Preston Taylor Award, to a fourth classman for outstanding The Herbert Nash Dillard ’34 Memorial Award, to a member academic achievement in civil engineering, to Jessee Kopczynski ’07. of the graduating class best emulating Col. Dillard’s scholarship and The Henry Johnson Award, to an outstanding athletic team manager dedication to a broad liberal arts education, to Ryan Consaul ’04. chosen by the athletic director and the coaches of the athletic teams, to The Adolfo Ponzanelli Award, for excellence in the study of modern Michael Bang ’04. languages to a cadet in the graduating class, to Peter Dreisbach Jr. ’04. The Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the The Alan D’Andelot Belin Memorial Prize, to a fourth classman who Medal, to a graduating cadet who has demonstrated significant has earned the respect of their Brother Rats and the Corps of Cadets by improvement in leadership skills, to Raymond L’Heureux Jr. ’04. performance within the rat system, to Salvatore Sferrazza Jr. ’07. Gen. Douglas MacArthur Cadet Award, to a cadet emulating and The Intercollegiate Sports Awards, for all-round excellence in practicing the qualities exemplified by Douglas MacArthur and intercollegiate athletics, to Kelly Sweppenhiser ’06 and Jason Cox ’04. demonstrating the most soldierly performance by a senior class cadet The Paul R. Meyer ’24 Award (fourth class), for significant considering academics, athletics, and leadership, to Benjamin Hassell accomplishments in biology studies, to Daniel Plitnik ’04. ’04. The Herbert E. Ritchey Third Class Award, for excellence in the study The Col. Earl L. Brown Award, to VMI’s Marshall ROTC award of organic chemistry, to Seth Brunner ’06. Continued on page 12 PAGE 6, THE INSTITUTE REPORT, MAY 31, 2004 Firebot Rolls Into Top 10 at International Meet More than 1,000 hours and $500 after they built, and refined the robot were Col. Dan Barr, started, six cadets from the Department of Electri- Col. Dave Livingston, and Lt. Col. Todd Smith. cal Engineering were on their way to Hartford, “Stoop Run,” as the VMI team named its robot, Conn., in mid-April to compete in the 11th Annual worked with infrared sensors. As it would come Trinity College Fire Fighting Robot Contest. The ef- to each room, it would search the room for the fort gained the team the ninth-place ranking of the infrared light that the candle flame would give 55 teams competing in the senior division of the off, and if it found the flame it would approach it international competition among engineering stu- and extinguish it with its fan built in to the top of dents. the robot. Cadets Matt York ’04, Ryan Shealy ’04, Christo- The purpose of the contest was to simulate a pher Johnson ’04, Edward Cooper ’04, Joshua household fire, which meant the robot had to start Wright ’04 and Wei-Han Jeng ’05 attended the con- itself from a tone that resembled that of a smoke test, along with three 2nd Classmen who observed. detector, autonomously search individual rooms Also working on the robot project with those who for the fire, when the fire — in this case, a candle attended the contest were Cadets John Puvogel ’04 — is found it would extinguish it, and then re- and David Smit ’05. turn to its original starting position. The cadets The team’s showing in the Trinity contest was designed the robot with the ability to navigate not the first success brought by the project. The Cadet Wei-Han Jeng uses a smoke de- around furniture and to travel over uneven sur- team also beat out a team of Virginia Tech engi- tector alarm to activate “Stoop Run.” faces. neering students in a Feb. 19 regional competition The contest was graded on the amount of time sponsored by the Virginia Mountain Section of the Institute of Electrical that the robot took to complete these tasks, but time could either be and Electronic Engineers. added for penalties or reduced for bonus points, said Johnson. Penal- The firefighting robot project was part of a senior design course that ties included touching the wall or the candle, and bonus points could was conducted over the last several semesters. The cadets began work- be collected by giving the robot extra obstacles to maneuver around. ing on the robot during spring semester of 2003, finished building it This is the 11th year that the Trinity contest has been held. Though this past fall, and finally took the robot to the contest, which was held cadets have competed in other robotics competitions in recent years, April 17-18, according to York. this was the first time a contingent from VMI has participated in the Teaching the capstone design course in which the cadets designed, Trinity contest. Cadets Give Presentation on Mentoring Cadets Brandon Smith ’04 and Chase Porter ’05 recently presented the session “Peer Academic Mentoring: A Unique Paradigm” to audiences at regional and national conferences. Co-presenting was Lt. Col. Anna Crockett, director of the Miller Academic Center. In March they presented at the Mid-Atlantic meeting of the College Learning and Reading Association, or CRLA, in Lynchburg. In April they made their presentation at the national “Diversity In Mentoring” conference in Tampa, Fla. The presentations described VMI’s program that connects successful upperclassmen with new cadets whose quarterly grades raise concerns. Crockett said both Smith and Porter are among the nearly 30 cadet mentors who volunteer their time each year to help other cadets. VMI’s academic mentoring program was developed in accordance with CRLA certification requirements that set standards for mentor selection, mentor training, and assessment of mentoring programs. The VMI program was awarded certification last August. “The mentoring experience is valuable in many ways,” Crockett said. “Mentoring gives outstanding cadets a chance to develop their skills. Strengthening their communication, leadership, and academic skills not only helps them become effective mentors, but gives them an edge as job, professional school, and graduate school applicants.” Cadets who are recommended by faculty, staff, and current mentors based on academic skills and personal qualities are invited to apply to serve as mentors. They receive eight hours of training at the beginning of the year and additional training on a regular basis as the academic year progresses. Mentors are facilitators who guide their partners in identifying obstacles to success, constructing a plan, and monitoring progress. The mentors and their new cadet partners meet at least once a week. “Officially, the mentoring lasts one semester,” Crockett said. “However, cadets often develop a strong mentoring partnership and choose to continue beyond that term. In addition, it takes time to change attitudes and habits. Sometimes the changes can be quite dramatic; other times, changes are more subtle and are internalized over a period of time.” New cadets face the same challenge all new college students face — a sudden freedom from parental supervision. VMI’s demanding academic curriculum is another challenge, because many cadets haven’t had to work hard for good grades, and for that reason have not developed strong study skills. Cadets also face the additional challenges imposed by the strict military environment of Post. Mentors help their partners learn to balance multiple responsibilities. “One of the most important messages that mentors have to impart is that cadets have choices,” Crockett said. “They make decisions every minute of their daily lives. Helping them recognize obstacles, identify options, and make responsible choices are cornerstones of the program.” Crockett stresses that mentors aren’t tutors who assist with specific courses; rather, one of the mentor’s primary roles is to serve as liaison to the other resources available to cadets on Post, ultimately helping their partners succeed by becoming self-responsible. THE INSTITUTE REPORT, MAY 31, 2004, PAGE 7 Cadet Honors Ancestor Among New Market Fighters When Cadet John C. Ginder, attention of upper classmen. His plan to keep a of the Corps of Cadet’s Company C, marched in low profile was shattered in his first days at VMI the school’s annual New Market Ceremony May 14, when the superintendent at the time, Lt. Gen. he was paying homage to the 261 cadets who Josiah Bunting III, sought him out for a conver- charged Federal guns during the Battle of New sation. Market. “He said my father had written asking for me He was also paying homage to the cadet who, in to be assigned to Company C because my great-, 1864, was the second lieutenant of Company C and great-grandfather was a member of the company,” fought in that battle — Ginder’s great-, great- John Ginder said. “There was no low profile after grandfather, Albert Boggess. With VMI’s that.” commencement exercise — and Ginder’s gradu- Over the years, John Ginder has stood out in ation — occurring on May 15, the anniversary of other ways, working his way up through the rank the battle, the New Market ceremony was held a structure of the Corps of Cadets. He served as a day earlier. battalion color sergeant one year. This year, in “It’s a little strange, but it’s really cool,” said the his last year at VMI, he was appointed second lieu- native Texan. “It’s especially cool when you think tenant of his company. that I’m graduating 140 years to the day from the “I got lucky to be in C Company to begin with,” battle.” he said. “Then when I was made second lieuten- John Ginder and his father Bill. The battle marked the only time the entire Corps ant it was great, but at first it didn’t dawn on me of Cadets of any American military school has fought as a unit in a that here I was in the same position” as his great-, great-grandfather. battle. The victory against the Union forces that day came with a price: “New Market is my favorite parade of the year,” he said. “It’s differ- 10 of the “New Market” cadets who made the charge were killed and ent from all the other parades. There’s a very special reason we do it.” 47 were wounded. And for him, there is an extra reason: When Ginder executed the Ginder’s great-, great-grandfather’s uncle, Caleb Boggess, was a mem- eyes-right salute as the Corps marched past Virginia Mourning Her ber of the Class of 1845 and began the family tradition of sending a Dead he knew the name of Albert Boggess is listed as second lieutenant representative to VMI every generation or so. Ginder is the sixth mem- of Company C in the list of cadets who fought to rout Union forces from ber of the family to attend VMI the field of battle that day 140 years earlier. The Boggess clan haled from the Ten-Mile Creek community near Clarksburg in present-day West Virginia. When Virginia seceded in 1861, the state’s western counties separated from the Old Dominion and were established as a member state of the Union. After the war, Ginder’s great-, great-grandfather found the West Virginians back home less than welcoming to a Confederate veteran, so he moved to Texas and joined the faculty of Baylor University. “From that started a tradition of the men of the family returning to Mother Virginia to attend VMI for two years, then finishing up at Baylor and then marrying a good Southern Baptist woman,” said Ginder’s fa- ther, Bill, who broke both traditions. He completed his four years at VMI, graduating in 1971. He also he married a Presbyterian. Bill Ginder’s grandfather, Robert W. Boggess Sr. ‘13, influenced him to attend VMI. “I had never laid eyes on VMI, but I knew this was the only place I wanted to go to school,” said the Houston, Texas, area commercial real estate marketing associate. “He was always telling stories about it and telling what it was like. I thought he had graduated from VMI. I never Cadets approach the finish line of the Boston Marathon where even knew that he had gone to Baylor and got his degree there.” they marched the distance to raise awareness about service Other members of the family who attended VMI were Albert Boggess members lost in combat in the War on Terror. The cadets, all 2004 Jr. ’27 and a cousin of William Ginder’s grandfather, and Robert W. graduates commissioned into military service, were Josh Mulford, Boggess Jr. ’40, who was killed in action during World War II. Ross Garrett, Richard Connaroe, Joseph DiDomenico, and Justin The younger Ginder had grown up on stories about VMI and was Bierens, Also participating was ROTC Instructor Capt. Jose determined to attend there as well. He knew from the stories that ca- DeVarona. The group also raised money for Treats for Troops, an dets who made themselves conspicuous often attracted the unwanted organization that sends packages to deployed service members. PAGE 8, THE INSTITUTE REPORT, MAY 31, 2004 Awards Convocation Celebrates Success of Faculty, Cadets

The Institute’s annual awards convocation held April 27 in Cameron life-long learning by regular involvement in professional activities. Hall brought recognition to a range of faculty members and cadets who — Col. Richard Rowe, professor of biology, for leading the Biology have dedicated themselves to the mission of VMI. Department through a major curricular revision, the development of a Institute Professorships were awarded to: concentration in cell and molecular biology and in microbiology, and — Col. Dale Buckner, professor of civil engineering, was awarded the modernization of laboratories. He is valued by cadets as a teacher, the Benjamin H. Hardaway ’13 Institute Professorship. His rigor as a counselor, and mentor. teacher, his prolific scholarly and research efforts, his service to the Receiving Faculty Merit Scholarships were: profession of civil engineering, and his leadership as the head of the — Cadet Jonathan Corrado ’05, mechanical engineering, who has a Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering were cited in the 3.963 grade point average and participated in both sessions of the Un- award of the professorship. dergraduate Research Symposium last summer, was cited for his — Lt. Col. Shawn Addington, associate professor of electrical and “persistent work ethic, his dependability, and his consistently outstanding computer engineering, was awarded the Jamison-Payne Institute Pro- course work.” fessorship. He has been effective in the classroom and the laboratory — Cadet Mark Lenzi ’05, economics, who has a 4.0 grade point as a colleague, adviser, mentor, and teacher. He was instrumental in average, was cited for his “stellar academic record” and dedication to the establishment of a microelectronics concentration, which has pro- academic excellence. duced numerous undergraduate research experiences. Cadets have — Cadet Daniel Harrison ’05, chemistry, who has a 3.844 grade presented their research findings at a number of prestigious regional point average, was cited for “a wonderful work ethic and being a joy to and national conferences. teach in that he is forever interested and enthusiastic about his sub- — Capt. Michael Sexton, professor of mechanical engineering, was jects.” He also received the Chemistry Department’s German Award as awarded the Charles S. Luck Jr. ’20 Institute Professorship. His unique the top student in analytical chemistry. mix of academic, military, and industrial experiences allow him to bring Receiving the Wilbur S. Hinman Jr. ’26 Research Award for excel- rigorous academic subjects and professional practice together in the lence in stimulating, encouraging, and conducting research were: classroom. He is a trusted adviser and mentor to cadets and faculty — Cadet Jillian Hafer ’04, chemistry, and Maj. Daren Timmons, as- members. During his tenure as department head, his department suc- sistant professor of chemistry. Hafer’s research in inorganic chemistry cessfully completed an ABET accreditation. over two years is expected to form the bases for two publications in Receiving the Award for Distinguished Teaching were: peer-reviewed journals, as well as the presentation of the results of her —Lt. Col. James J. Hentz, associate professor of international stud- work at a prestigious national meeting. Timmons, who supervised Hafer’s ies, for inspiring cadets by challenging them in their studies, sparking research, was cited as a superb mentor and advocate of undergraduate creativity and critical judgment. research. —Col. Peter Hoadley, professor of civil engineering, for demanding, — Cadet Jason Brightwell ’04, psychology; Capt. William Hughes, dedicated, and effective teaching style. He is accessible to students, of- professor of psychology; Lt. Col. Lenna Ojure, learning disabilities co- ten helping them outside of class and demonstrating the importance of ordinator in the Miller Academic Center; and Air Force Capt. Kristin THE INSTITUTE REPORT, MAY 31, 2004, PAGE 9 Galloway, assistant professor of aerospace studies. Brightwell’s study of the relationship between schizophrenic spectrum disorders and EEG patterns formed the basis of a presentation he made to the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback. The faculty members cited served as mentors to Brightwell during his research. — Cadet Jonathan Corrado ’05, mechanical engineering, and Maj. Jon-Michael Hardin, assistant professor of mechanical engineering. Corrado collaborated with Hardin on an investigation of metal fatigue. Corrado is continuing his research during this year’s Summer Under- graduate Research Institute, and expects to report his findings at the 2005 National Conference on Undergraduate Research. — Cadet Austin House ’05, history, and Col. Mark Wilkinson, pro- fessor of history. House and Wilkinson collaborated on the production of a study of the Japanese planning for the attack on Pearl Harbor. House examined the papers of the late historian Gordon Prange and marshaled the previously unpublished interview notes and other pri- Cadet Josh Mulford ’04 receives an 1866 Boston, Hartford & Erie mary sources to support the thesis of his paper. Rail Road Company bond certificate with a sheet of coupons The Thomas Jefferson Teaching Award was presented to Maj. Daren attached in recognition of recieving the Captain of Industry Award. Timmons, assistant professor of chemistry. He was cited for his support The award, inaugurated by the late G. Haley Garrison Jr. ’61, to cadets in and out of class, and his success in developing young re- recognizes the cadet considered the most valuable player in the searchers through the undergraduate research program. Cadet Investment Group. Presenting the award were Garrison’s Receiving the Matthew Fontaine Maury Research Award were: daughter, Iona (left), and his widow, Hannelore. — Maj. Matthew Hyre, assistant professor of mechanical engineer- ing. His research in glass forming technology has resulted in numerous publications and presentations. He has involved 23 cadets in 15 differ- ent undergraduate research projects while teaching a full load. His research efforts both enhance his classroom teaching and provide ba- House Wins Award sic research opportunities for cadets. Cadet Austin House ’04 won a second place award in the state Phi —Lt. Col. David Rachels, professor of English. Scholarly books he Alpha Theta conference held in April with his paper “Minoru Genda has edited have been published, he is a co-editor of new editions of Opened Their Eyes.” popular Civil War novels, and he has contributed numerous articles to prestigious scholarly journals and anthologies. In addition, he has writ- The paper traces the background and contribution of Commander ten or co-written novels, screenplays, and short stories. Genda, a Japanese officer generally credited with being responsible for Receiving the Faculty Mentor Award were: Eric Osborne, adjunct as- planning the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. The paper was prepared as sistant professor of history; Maj. Troy Siemers, assistant professor of part of House’s project in the history department’s capstone experience mathematics; Col. Holly Richardson, professor of physical education; course under the direction of Col. Mark Wilkinson, professor of history. Capt. James Cook, assistant professor of military science; and Col. John In researching his paper, House examined papers of the late historian Brodie, director of the Regimental Band. Gordon Prange at the University of Maryland at College Park. Prange, Receiving the Distinguished Coaching Award was William J. Nicholson, who taught at the university, interviewed Genda during the American head swimming coach. In only his second year as swim coach he lead occupation of Japan after World War II. The interview results appeared the team to a second place finish in the conference meet. More cadets in Prange’s account of the Pearl Harbor attack, At Dawn We Slept. are members of the team since Nicholson took charge, and the team grade point average is the highest among VMI varsity sports. He is in the process of building a women’s swim program. Receiving the Award for Distinguished Service were: Sauder Physics Award — Maj. David Hess Jr., head of media services, for his “technical competence, patience, and easy-going pleasant manner.” He helps fac- Cadet Robert W. Serig ’04 was ulty and cadets, serves as professional librarian in reference and awarded the Sauder Physics collection development responsibilities, and serves regularly as AOC in Award for outstanding academic Barracks. and undergraduate research —Felicia Matheny, benefits administrator, for assisting new, current, achievement. The award was es- and retiring employees in securing benefits; helping more than 100 tablished in memory of William VMI retirees and widows in the area with health insurance and Medi- Sauder, who served in the de- care claims and tirelessly battling the bureaucracy of pension plans partment 43 years until his and health insurance providers for employees. death in 1998. Serig, who gradu- — Clifford W. “Buck” Shorter, assistant director of physical plant, ated in May, was commissioned for working many hours after normal duty times to make emergency an ensign in the Navy and is repairs; working tirelessly to repair damage from the 1995 flood; and scheduled to attend flight displaying a strong sense of integrity in the supervision of department school. personnel. PAGE 10, THE INSTITUTE REPORT, MAY 31, 2004 Koons Speaks on Valley Col. Kenneth Koons, General Edwin Cox ’20 Institute Professor of History, presented two public lectures recently focusing on the people living in the Shenandoah Valley and how they used the land. On March 23 he provided an overview of the historic and modern land use of the area, focusing on agriculture and forest resources. The lecture, “People on the Land in the Shenandoah Valley in Modern Times,” was presented at the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton as part of the museum’s March Lecture Series. On April 7 Koons presented the C. Gratton Price Lecture on Shenandoah Valley History at the Knowledge Point, Shenandoah University’s historical and tourism center in Winchester. The lecture, “Ordinary People and Everyday Life in the Valley of Virginia During the Age of Grain,” examined the nature of economic life and social experi- The VMI Colors are dipped as the color guard of the Corps of Ca- ence among ordinary men and women during the region’s past when it dets marches past Virginia Mourning Her Dead and the graves of formed the premier wheat-growing region of the American South. six of the 10 New Market cadets killed in the Civil War battle. The Corps held its annual ceremony honoring the New Market cadets on May 14. Turner Named VP of Sigma Pi Sigma The VMI Chapter of Sigma Pi Sigma, an organization of the American Va. Academy of Science Institute of Physics that honors outstanding scholarship, has inducted Col. Jim Turner ’65, professor of biology/chemistry and director of three cadets. the VMI Undergraduate Research Program, has been elected vice presi- Cadets John D. Leacock II ’05, Douglas J. Macdonald ’05, and Stephen dent of the Virginia Academy of Science. W. Sawyer ’05 were inducted into the chapter on April 29 Turner, who served as the Academy’s secretary, was formally installed Founded in 1921, Sigma Pi Sigma has chapters at colleges and uni- in his new position at the Academy’s annual meeting May 26-28 at Vir- versities of recognized standing that offer a strong physics major. ginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. Inductees must attain high standards of general scholarship and out- Established in 1923, the Academy members are interested in science standing achievement in physics. Those elected for membership must and scientific research in all its branches, and are dedicated to pro- have a B average in all coursework, and no grade for a physics course moting the civic, agricultural, academic, industrial and commercial lower than a C. welfare of the people of Virginia. Rare Firearms to Find a Place in Museum For Col. Keith Gibson ’77, the frustration in having an outstanding collection of rare firearms in the possession of the VMI Museum but not being able to display them will continue for another two years until renovations to Jackson Memorial Hall are completed. Cramped quarters at the museum have prevented the display of more than a small selection from the collection. The renovations that are currently underway will greatly increase the space available for exhibits. The Porter Revolving Vertical Turret Rifle and the Artemus Wheeler Flintlock Revolving Arm are among an elite breed as two of the rarest firearms in the world. Both are part of the museum’s Henry Stewart Antique Firearm Collection. The collection was given to VMI in 1988 through Henry M. Stewart’s ’35 estate. The collection includes more than 800 separate pieces, and nearly half of those are patent models, which means they are the inventors’ original designs, and each one is unique. Along with these one-of-a-kind models is an extensive collection of Colt’s Peterson revolving handguns and longarms, as well as a collection of air rifles, which includes a rifle made by Isaiah Lukens used on the Lewis and Clark expedition. Stewart graduated from VMI in 1935 with a degree in Civil Engineering. It was during his work with the VMI Museum, which at that time was still housed in Preston Library, that he became interested in multiple shot revolving cylinder firearms, Gibson said. He became particularly fascinated with the 1855 Colt revolving rifle, around which is what much of the collection centers. After graduation he spent more than 50 years building his collection. He became not just a collector, but also a scholar of these rare arms, Gibson said. Each year the VMI Museum receives many visitors from all over the world just to view this collection. Just this past year the Great Britain Long Range Muzzle Loading Rifle Team, which was in the United States for the Long Range World Championships, stopped to visit the collection on its way to North Carolina for the tournament. Currently, the VMI Museum is closed for renovation and expansion. When remodeling is complete, the museum will be able to put nearly the entire collection on display. Now much of the collection has been put into storage, but researchers can still access the collection by appointment. THE INSTITUTE REPORT, MAY 31, 2004, PAGE 11 England, Russia 19th Century Band Stops for Band Honors Civil War Sailors The Institute Brass, VMI’s brass quintet, played a series of concerts throughout the United Kingdom in March, then in April Col. John Brodie and two cadets toured Russia with the Washington and Lee University Wind Ensemble. Brodie, director of the band, said the Institute Brass landed in Lon- don March 13 and toured the World War II Air Museum in Dunstable, a U.S. Air Force Base in Lakenheath. They then proceeded to play a series of one-horn concerts in St Mary at Watton, Essex, the Royal Mili- tary College of Science in Shivenham, and the Royal Military School of Music in Twickenham. The group then proceeded to Dover, where they performed at the Duke of York’s Royal Military School. Members of the quintet then traveled to Dublin for St. Patrick’s Day and back to London for sightseeing, the theatre, and touring activities. Eleven cadets of VMI’s Cabell-Breckenridge Brass Band traveled to It was the ensemble’s second concert series in England. Charleston, S.C., April 17, to perform at the interment of the crew of “I was very pleased with their many performances and their musi- the CSS Hunley. cianship,” Brodie said. “The cadets were well-received everywhere they Billed as the last funeral of the Civil War, the ceremony honored the performed and did an excellent job.” crew of the first submarine to sink a ship in wartime. In 1864, the crew In April, Brodie and Cadets Jill Hafer ’04 and Daniel Plitnick ’07 of the Hunley died when their vessel sank in Charleston Harbor shortly traveled to the Russian Federation as part of the W&L group’s spring after setting a torpedo that sank the Union warship USS Housatonic. break concert tour. The remains of the Confederate crewmembers were recovered in The cadets were part of the ensemble through the shared class of 2000 when the wreckage of the Hunley was raised. The band partici- pated in ceremonies at the Battery and at the Hunley burial plot in VMI and W&L Concert band, of which Brodie is the associate conduc- Magnolia Cemetery. Among other groups participating were Civil War tor. The eight-day tour took the cadets from Moscow to St. Petersburg reenactment groups and the Citadel Pipe Band. and the Baltic Sea by plane, bus and an overnight train ride. The VMI ensemble was invited to participate in the event by the The eight-day trip included several concerts in Moscow and St. Pe- Charleston Historical Society, and it was the only Civil War-era brass tersburg. The cadets performed in concert on shared programs with band selected to march in the funeral procession to Magnolia Cem- the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra, the St. Petersburg Teacher’s etery. Viewed by more than 50,000 people, the ensemble played 19th College, and the Vasilov Ensemble. century funeral music for three hours during the four-mile procession. Hafer, who served as executive officer of Band Company, performed The Cabell-Breckenridge Brass Band is a unique unit that performs as first clarinet, and Plitnick was the ensemble’s only baritone saxo- on reproductions of 19th century over-the-shoulder saxhorns, the hall- phonist. Brodie conducted several pieces and was featured as a trumpet mark instruments of Civil War-era brass bands. soloist in two of the concerts. The Cabell-Breckenridge Band started at VMI in the fall of 2000 thru the support of Mr. Cabell Brand ’44 and Ran Cabell and has performed annually at civil war ceremonies, parades, and New Market Day at VMI. Junior War College Continued from page 1 discussions with national and international leaders in the fields they are studying, and through realistic, hands-on simulations, students have the opportunity to experience leadership in action and to learn about the complexities of decision-making in a chosen field or profession. Duncan said this is the first time a Junior War College has been offered for high school students. “The Junior War College was designed to give students a broad understanding of the nature of war,” Duncan said. “There is a lecture on military strategy, covering the works of Sun Tzu and Clausewitz. The students will study wars ranging from the American Revolution to the War on Terrorism, and they will be exposed to war from the lowest level — the private in the trenches — to the highest levels of command.” The program presents a balanced look at war, focusing on both the successes and failures of our nation. In addition to lectures by invited speakers, the students will participate in field trips to the D-Day Memorial in Bedford, to Washington, D.C., and to the New Market Battlefield. They will also participate in a battlefield simulation based on the invasion of the Philippines in late 1944 and early 1945. This battle, as presented by B. David Mann ’49C, in his book Avenging Bataan: The Battle of ZigZag Pass, will be used as the backdrop for studying the military decision-making process, the principles of war, and leadership. Duncan said the students will also discuss the human side of combat after viewing classic war films, and will hone leadership skills by negotiating the VMI obstacle course, a leadership challenge course, and a series of leadership exercises. Additional information is available at the program’s web site (www.floydduncan.com/jwc/). PAGE 12, THE INSTITUTE REPORT, MAY 31, 2004 Commencement Continued from page 1 learned much about themselves during their four years at the Institute. is about a group working together,” he said. “We congratulate the Corps, “You really need to believe in yourself and focus and be the best you but we also need to congratulate each and every individual cadet for can be,” he said. “The key is to always be the best at whatever you’re their accomplishments.” asked to do.” Peay noted the continuing academic renaissance taking place at VMI. Also addressing the graduates was the Class of 2004’s valedictorian, He also noted the increasing numbers of cadets receiving commissions. Matthew R. York of Blackstone, Va., and Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ‘62, “An increase in commissioning, especially in time of war, is superintendent of VMI. commendable and reinforces VMI’s historical role of a producer of “I have excruciatingly wonderful memories of the last four years,” citizen-soldiers,” he said. York said. Special awards presented at the ceremony included the First Jackson- He recited the three legs of the VMI education: academics, military, Hope Medal for highest attainment in scholarship to Richard J. Connaroe and athletics. “What holds the three legs together is the top of the stool,” II of Roanoke, Va.; the Second Jackson-Hope Medal for second highest he said. “The top of the stool is you, my Brother Rats.” attainment in scholarship to Eric N. Hepfer of Chambersburg, Pa.; and Peay said the Class of 2004 had produced an outstanding record the Society of Cincinnati Medal for efficiency of service and excellence during its four years at the Institute. of character to Matthew D. Sharpe of Chesterfield, Va. “VMI is as much about personal and individual accomplishments as it Cadet Awards Continued from page 5 recipient, to Benjamin Hassell ’04. performance in the electrical engineering curriculum, to Matthew York ’04. The Superintendent William H. Milton Jr. Class of 1920 Award, to the The Col. Thomas St. John Arnold Award, to an outstanding graduating first-standing graduate in mechanical engineering, to Ryan Taylor ’04. first class private accepting an active duty commission in the U.S. Army, The Charles R. Martin ’55 Award, to a graduate accepting a regular to Christopher Russo ’04. commission and who has demonstrated excellence in military studies The William Brent Bell ’67 Award, to a third classman who has shown and outstanding leadership in the Corps of Cadets, to Joshua Powers excellence in military studies, to Anastasia Kovarik ’06. ’04. The American Mechanical Engineering Award for Highest Scholarly The Gen. Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr. ’17 Sixth Marine Division Award, to Attainment, to a member of the graduating class who is selected for the top Marine graduate of the Naval ROTC program, to Metin Yaman their significant accomplishments in mechanical engineering studies ’04 and Joseph Montagna ’04. and has demonstrated potential for a professional career, to Timothy The Alvin F. Meyer Award, for the second classman showing highest Erwin ’04. proficiency in the study of environmental engineering, to Jarod Wheeler The Maj. Gen. Richard C. Coupland ‘15 Electrical Engineering Award, ’05. to a third classman majoring in electrical engineering who has The Gen. Withers A. Burress Marksmanship Award, for skill in rifle demonstrated academic excellence, outstanding leadership abilities, marksmanship, to David Harris ’04. and high moral standards, to Dennis Crump ’06. The Alfred H. Knowles Award (first class), for significant The Jeff Shaara Scholar-in-Residence Award, for the best research accomplishments in biology studies, to Mariah Green ’04. topic proposal working with the interpretive staff at the New Market The Nathaniel Willis Pendleton ’22 Award, to the first classmen taking Battlefield State Historical Park, is given to Catherine Zaremba ’07. first stand during his first class year in the civil engineering curriculum, The Robert H. Knox Prize, for excellence in mathematics, presented to Anthony Miller ’04. to the most promising mathematics major in the third class, is awarded The VMI Distinguished Third Class Leadership Award, to a third to Christopher Rogers ’06. classman who has participated as a member of the New Cadet Cadre or The Garnett Andrews Class of 1890 Award to a member of the Rat Training Cadre, and who has exhibited the most praiseworthy graduating class who submits the best paper on a military subject, to leadership, to Christopher Back ’06. Robert Serig ’04. The James C. Wheat Jr. Medal, for excellence in economics studies The Garnett Andrews Class of 1890 Award to a member of the by an economics and business major in the graduating class, to Brandon graduating class who submits the second-best paper on a military Smith ’04. subject, to Joseph DiDomenico ’04. The Frank Summers Team Leadership Award, to an athlete in the first The John Letcher Memorial Award, to a first or second classman for class chosen by the Athletic Committee as the outstanding team leader, a paper written on a political subject, to Laura Mack ’05. to Radee Skipworth ’04. The Lt. Gen. Edward Mallory Almond ’15 Award, to a graduating cadet The John Robert Philpott Medal, to a graduating economics and for academic, athletic, and military excellence, to Matthew Sharpe ’04 business major who excels in the study of business subjects, to John and William Simmons ’04. Gregory ’04. The Earl L. Valentine Jr. Award, to a graduating cadet excelling in The Stewart W. Anderson ’08 Memorial Award, for superior academic leadership in the Corps of Cadets, to William Simmons ’04. THE INSTITUTE REPORT, MAY 31, 2004, PAGE 13 Base in Afghanistan Pays Homage to Marine Hero By Gunnery Sgt. Keith A. Milks In a remote patch of arid Afghan North’s advance. Realizing the desert in south-central Dong Ha Bridge in the battalion’s Afghanistan, a new forward sector in the northern border operating base bears the name of region was a key avenue for the one of the Marine Corps’ most North Vietnamese advance, Ripley respected combat veterans and a set about destroying the bridge. former commander of VMI’s Naval His actions, in addition to ROTC unit. winning him the second-highest Forward Operating Base Ripley award for bravery, were recounted is named for Col. John W. Ripley, in the book, The Bridge at Dong who served at VMI from 1990 to Ha. A large diorama of the action 1992, when he retired from the titled “Ripley at The Bridge,” was service. From it, elements of the installed in Memorial Hall at the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit Naval Academy as the single act to (Special Operations Capable) will John Ripley as a captain in 1972 and today. represent actions of all Academy conduct combat and civil military men who fought in . operations as part of Combined Joint Task Force 180. Ripley held a succession of staff and command positions after Vietnam “He’s a hero to the Marine Corps,” said Col. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., and before arriving at VMI for his last active duty assignment. While commanding officer of the 22nd MEU. “He’s a true warrior and an here, he was credited with creating the largest, most productive NROTC honorable man.” McKenzie puts Col. Ripley with the small group of unit in the country. Marine leaders mentioned prominently in the Corps’ proud history. He went on to become the president, and later chancellor, of Southern Ripley enlisted in the Marine Corps in June 1957 and won an Virginia College in Buena Vista, Va., until 1996 when he moved on to appointment to the United States Naval Academy a year later. assume responsibility as the president of the Hargrave Military Academy. During the 1972 North Vietnamese Easter Offensive while in his second Ripley is currently director of Marine Corps History and Museums, Vietnam tour he earned the Navy Cross. A captain, he was an adviser to and Director of the Marine Corps Historical Center. He lives in Annapolis, a South Vietnamese marine battalion that found itself in the path of the Md. New Army, Naval ROTC Leadership This summer more than 60 years of military service will be retiring from Kilborne Hall. Both Col. William L. Faistenhammer ’74, professor and head of the Department of Military Science, and Col. Thomas E. Minor, professor and head of the Department of Naval Science, will be taking their leave of the military and VMI. Coming into replace Faistenhammer and Minor will be Col. Robert L. Suthard Jr. ’79, as the new professor of Military Science, and Col. William R. Grace, as the new professor of the Naval Science. Faistenhammer, who retired from military service at the end of the academic year, has over twenty-five years experience as both a special forces and infantry officer. He served as joint special operations commander for U.S. forces during Operation Provide Relief in Somalia. Along with his 1974 diploma from the Institute, Faistenhammer has completed the Army’s Command and General Staff College and the U.S. Army War College. For Suthard, the incoming Army ROTC head, this assignment will be his second tour with the VMI Military Science Department. He taught here as an assistant professor of military science from 1986-1990. Since then, though, he has served as chief of Engineer Branch. That branch is “responsible for all engineer personnel and assignments for the United States Army,” according to Brig. Gen. Charles F. Brower IV, deputy superintendent for academics and dean of the faculty. Suthard, along with his VMI degree, holds master’s degrees from George Washington University and the National Defense University. At Naval Science, Minor ends a 24-year career in the Marine Corps when he hands leadership of the department over to Grace this summer. Minor is a 1974 Naval Academy graduate, and he earned a master’s degree in national security from the Naval War College. He has spent most of his career as an infantry officer, moving from platoon to regimental levels and staff tours as adjutant, operations officer, executive officer, and future plans officer. Minor served as the assistant chief of staff, G-3, for the Marine Expeditionary Force in Okinawa, Japan, immediately prior to his assignment at VMI. Grace is a 1981 graduate of Texas A&M University. An aviator, Grace’s assignments have included flying for Marine Helicopter Squadron One, where he flew White House Missions worldwide in four different countries. Grace has over 5,900 hours of flight experience and several medals, including the Navy Commendation Medal, the Gold Star and the Presidential Service Badge. PAGE 14, THE INSTITUTE REPORT, MAY 31, 2004 2004 Navy and Marine Commissionees Naval Reserve Officer Training mission later this summer after Corps, VMI, commissioned 24 completing academic require- Navy ensigns and Marine second ments for graduation. lieutenants May 14. Additionally, Most of the Navy ensigns, desig- four graduating cadets have or will nated as Surface Warfare Officers, earn commissions via the USMC will report directly to their ships: Platoon Leaders Course. Bree Adams to USS Cowpens, CG Newly commissioned Marine 63, in Yokosuka, Japan; Peter officers Eric Damon, Craig Bennett to USS Elrod, FFG 55, in Hamilton, Matthew Hendricks, Norfolk, Va.; Jason Boone to USS Ray L’Heureux, Joshua Montero, Gunston Hall, LSD 44, at Little Brian Trueblood, and Metin Creek, Va.; John Cobb to USS Fort Yaman will all report to The Basic McHenry, LSD 43, in Sasebo, Ja- School (TBS) at Marine Corps pan; Andrew Frazier to USS Base Quantico, Va., in June for the six-month Basic Officer Course. Halyburton, FFG 40, in Mayport, Fla.; Benjamin Nehrke to USS There they will learn the common fundamental leadership, tactical Rushmore, LSD 47, in San Diego, Calif.; Elizabeth Olson to USS Ashland, and administrative skills required of an infantry platoon commander. LSD 48, at Little Creek, Va.; and Jonathan Saburn to USS Guardian, Four months into their training they will select and receive their pri- MCM 5, in Sasebo, Japan. mary Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) in the broad fields of Those officers heading to Student Naval Aviator or Naval Flight Of- combat arms, combat service support, or aviation. After completion of ficer training in Pensacola, Fla., are: Brent Banks, Ryan Koziol, Michael TBS, they will all report to their primary MOS school for further train- McLaughlin, Daniel Ropp, Robert Serig, Keith Tate and Keith Yull. The ing before joining the operating forces. submarine community will welcome to the Nuclear Power School in Jonathan Elliott, Joseph Montagna and Deanna Nieves will receive Charleston, S.C., Edward Cooper and Joshua Wright. Finally, Ryan Beatley commissions later this summer and will then follow their classmates to will pursue his goal of becoming a Navy SEAL when he reports to the TBS. Ross Garnett, Dennis Crennan and Jonathan Pax will receive com- Basic Underwater Demolitions course, commonly called BUD/s. Ranger Company Covers Much Territory Last November, 50 cadets joined the VMI assault rifle on an open range, learning a Ranger Company, embarking on a program few advanced shooting methods and prac- of individual and collective tactical training. ticing them under varied conditions. They The Ranger Company is a recognized ca- worked with with the M-9 pistol, the stan- det club that meets two or three times a dard sidearm of the U.S. military, as well as week and on occasional weekends. Its train- different types of shotguns. ing program, conducted and supported by On the more exotic side, the VMI Rangers VMI’s Army ROTC department, runs through participated in a “historical shoot,” during April. For the last three years, the Ranger which they had the opportunity to fire a va- Company advisers have been Maj. Chris riety of rifles and pistols from our nation’s Larlee and Maj. Bill Bither, both Special military past. Along with all the shooting, ca- Forces officers. dets also had the opportunity to learn This year the Ranger Company was led “combatives,” a series of techniques for un- by Cadets Joseph Rubin ’05 and Cody Grey armed combat. ’05, and included a mix of cadets from the More basic skills, such as individual move- three upper classes. Most of these cadets ment and land navigation, are practiced are enrolled in the Army ROTC program, and many of them seek addi- throughout the collective training. This portion of the Ranger Company tional training beyond what they receive in their standard Military Science program focuses on tactical operations in both remote and urban envi- instruction. ronments. Cadets learned how to conduct patrolling missions, such as For the Army Second Classmen, the Ranger Company provides addi- reconnaissance, ambush, and raid, and practiced each of them in force- tional opportunities to hone their skills before attending their Leadership on-force, blank-fire exercises. They learned how to move and operate Development and Assessment Course, known as “Warrior Forge,” at in an urban environment, how to enter and clear a building, and prac- Fort Lewis, Wash., this summer. However, the organization also included ticed these skills during a weekend exercise at an urban training facility a number of cadets from the Marine, Navy, and Air Force programs at Fort Pickett, Va. who also sought the additional training. As a VMI cadet club activity, the For a cadet club, the VMI Ranger Company is demanding of its par- Ranger Company is open to all cadets after their Fourth Class year. ticipants. Cadets must sacrifice much of their free time, and they are Ranger Company training includes a number of advanced individual expected to learn a great deal very quickly. Yet, for those cadets who skills. Cadets learned survival techniques and put some of them into volunteered to make the extra effort, the Ranger Company provided practice one snowy evening last December. Cadets also fired the M-16 experiences above the ordinary. THE INSTITUTE REPORT, MAY 31, 2004, PAGE 15 Air Force Commissioning Caps Stellar Year AFROTC sent 15 new second Walter was the first AFROTC lieutenants out into the Air Force graduate from VMI to attain the on May 14, the pinnacle of an out- rank of general, and was on-hand standing year for increasing to present an award named in his numbers of high quality Air Force honor. A veteran of the Korean and commissionees. By the time calen- Vietnam Wars, Walter spoke to the dar year 2004 is completed, VMI graduating seniors about how his AFROTC will have commissioned experiences at VMI helped him approximately 26 graduates from later on. Gabreski spoke to the un- VMI and the Virginia Women’s In- derclassmen about her Air Force stitute for Leadership. journey and the importance of set- Out of this group come six pi- ting priorities. lots (one will be attending This year’s commissioning and Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Train- award activities were only a few of ing), one OSI agent out of 15 many accomplishments and ‘up selected in all of AFROTC, two civil and coming’ indicators for engineers, three personnel offic- AFROTC. ers, one space/missiles, one aircraft maintenance, two financial VMI AFROTC has moved up to third in the nation in number of cadets managers, one security forces, one acquisitions, one logistics readi- sent to Air Force Field Training. Fifty-four cadets will attend training ness, and three communicators. this summer, a 30 percent increase from last year. There were also 17 The two distinguished Air Force graduates were Roderick V. James cadets chosen to attend the various Professional Development Training and William A. Simmons. Gen. Jumper ’66, the Air Force chief of staff, programs this summer, accomplishing activities such as freefall, sur- was there as a strong show of support and encouragement to the next vival training and base internships. generation of Air Force officers. He gave the oath of office to the The detachment staff has constantly adapted to the professional and commissionees as a group in J.M. Hall and then individually commis- training needs of the growing population of Air Force cadets. As a mea- sioned six cadets during the individual service ceremony in Memorial sure of this change, the number of Air Force academic class sections Gardens. offered has increased from 15 to 39 in the past year. Moreover, the Before the festivities for the day began, Gen. Jumper met with all of reach has been extended to a multitude of guest speakers in order to the future 2004 lieutenants for breakfast and a quick talk. Earlier in give cadets the first hand experience from those in the field. the week, during the ROTC awards ceremony, Brig. Gen. (retired) Alonzo In addition to Jumper, we were visited by four Vietnam vets, one former J. Walter Jr. ’49B and his daughter, Maj. Gen. Terry L. Gabreski, head of prisoner of war, one Kosovo veteran, two Gulf War veterans, four HH- the Oklahoma Air Logistics Center at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., paid 60 pilots, one combat rescue officer, and a myriad of other officers a much welcomed visit to VMI and the awards ceremony. from various career fields across the Air Force.

AFROTC Women Selected for Flying VMI’s Air Force ROTC unit has recorded its first women selected for cockpit training. Cadet Jessica Stewart ’05, a history major from Franklin, N.C., is the first woman to be selected for pilot training. Cadet Margaret Serig ’05, a physics major from Vienna, Va., and Cadet Emily Naslund ’05, and economics and business major from Bloomington, Minn., are the first Cadets are sworn in as Navy ensigns in J.M. Hall as part of the women selected for navigator training. commissioning activities May 14. Following the swearing in cer- The cadets will begin training after their graduations next year. emonies, the new officers received their rank insignia in ceremonies in the adjoining Memorial Garden. Ninety-three ca- dets were commissioned in four branches of the U.S. armed forces. In addition, seven international cadets were commissioned in the armed forces of their home countries. PAGE 16, THE INSTITUTE REPORT, MAY 31, 2004 VMI’s Sharpe Chosen As National Scholar-Athlete of the Year By NACDA

VMI senior placekicker Matt “Earning the Division I-AA Ath- Sharpe (Chesterfield, Va., L.C. letic Directors Association Bird) was chosen as one of two postgraduate scholarship would recipients of the annual Division I- attest to the difficulty in not only AA Athletics Directors Association being an athlete, but being a stu- Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award. dent-athlete,” said Sharpe. “ I have The National Association of Colle- never been satisfied simply being giate Directors of America in just one of those classifications.” (NACDA) made the announcement He said being awarded this schol- in April. arship would be the ultimate award Sharpe was one of two recipi- recognizing his undergraduate ents of the national award chosen achievements. “ from 93 nominees, of whom 31 On the field last fall, Sharpe pro- were selected to the I-AA Academic duced one of the most productive All-Star team last December. seasons of any VMI kicker and was Sharpe and Colgate tight end John 17 of 24 in field goals – a new Freiser, chosen from a group of Matt Sharpe (1) gets congratulations from Donnie Johnston school mark for field goals made eight finalists, will each receive a after kicking a 46-yard field against Navy last year . in a season. He was seven of 11 in $5,000 post-graduate scholarship. field goals of 40 yards or more, and Sharpe holds a 3.91 grade point average in computer science, with he blasted a 53-yarder against Coastal Carolina Nov. 1 which stands as minors in French, Math, and writing. He was named to the College the second longest in school history. Sharpe kicked four field goals in Sports Information Directors Association Academic All-America sec- both the Coastal Carolina and Gardner-Webb games. He successfully ond team and was a finalist for both the Rhodes and Marshall converted on nine straight attempts during a four-game stretch. scholarships. After graduation from the Institute in May, Sharpe will Sharpe’s 179 kicking points ranks second on the all-time list and his pursue his master’s degree in human computer interaction and has 27 career field goals tie him for third on the VMI career list. been accepted to the University of Bath in England. He also plans to Sharpe was named to the 2003 All-Big South first team and was also work for a second master’s degree in software engineering and a doc- named the league’s Co-Scholar Athlete of the Year, sharing the honors torate in systems engineering. with Gardner-Webb’s Jim Maxwell.

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