Mary Kate du Laney, Author at Virginia Military Institute

VMI Promotes U.S.-Japan Alliance

Virginia Military Institute hosted a Japan U.S. Military Program (JUMP) event which included a reception, dinner, and expert panel discussion Feb. 3 in Marshall Hall. JUMP is a partnership between Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA (Sasakawa USA) and the Embassy of Japan, which honors U.S. military personnel and veterans for their contributions to the U.S.-Japan security alliance and engages them in high-level dialogue with U.S.-Japan alliance leaders.

Col. David Gray, executive director of VMI’s Center for Leadership and Ethics, served as master of ceremonies for the evening. Welcoming guests to the event was Lt. Col. Jochen Arndt, associate professor in the Department of History and deputy director of the John A. Adams ’71 Center for Military History and Strategic Analysis (Adams Center). Arndt stated the strategic analysis portion of the Adams Center ties in with the importance of the U.S.-Japan military alliance. “This event took over four months of planning, and we are very happy, proud, and honored to welcome all our guests here tonight.”

Guest speakers included retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Larry Nicholson, former commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force in Japan who now serves as a distinguished senior fellow for Sasakawa USA and sits on boards of several veteran-related nonprofits; retired Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Adm. Ryo Sakai, a former surface warfare officer and JMSDF chief of staff; and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Col. Satoshi Masaka, a career infantry officer who currently serves as military attaché for the Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C. Dr. Satohiro Akimoto, director of JUMP and president and chairman of Sasakawa USA, served as moderator.

Topics of discussion included the strong alliance between Japan and the United States and the hard work involved to build trust after WWII; other partners and ally countries in the Pacific like Australia, The Philippines, and South Korea; the security and safety of Japan; emerging security threats in the Indo-Pacific; long-term sustainable deployment in the Indo-Pacific; the safety and security of Taiwan; artificial intelligence; undersea military operations; what the future holds for VMI cadets; and the importance of building strong and mutually beneficial relationships with peers from different nations.

Event attendees listen as Adm. Sakai speaks at a podium. — Adm. Ryo Sakai shares his career experiences at the JUMP event in Marshall Hall.—VMI Photo by H. Lockwood McLaughlin.

Past JUMP events have been held at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Air Force Academy, Camp Lejeune, Camp Pendleton, the Marine Corps University, and Naval Station Norfolk, but this is the first time the event has been held at VMI. Over 50 cadets attended the dinner and panel discussion including J. Paul Sporleder ’27, the cadet in charge of the Adams Center, a history major with a military history concentration, who plans to commission in the U.S. Army as an infantry officer. He stated the event was a wonderful experience. “I got to spend time showing the JUMP delegation around post, discussing international affairs, and learning from their experiences and different perspectives about the situation in East Asia.

For Daniel Korniluk ’27, an international studies major who plans to commission into the U.S. Marine Corps, the event provided insight on alliance strategies.

“The perspectives from Lt. Gen. Nicholson and Col. Masaka were inspiring in how to approach real-world problems and fostering productive thinking on how relationships are utilized in times of threats from other countries.”

Additional information on JUMP may be found on their website.

Gilman Scholarship Available for Studies Abroad

Col. Jeff Kendrick, director of the Office of Global Education at Virginia Military Institute, announced the U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is currently accepting applications. The Gilman and Gilman-McCain Scholarships are merit-based awards for American undergraduate students with high financial need who want to study or intern abroad for academic credit.

Josiah Farrell ’28 and Anderson Robles Rodriguez ’28 both benefited from the scholarships when they participated in the Taiwan Huayu BEST Program to study Mandarin Chinese at the National Chengchi University in Taipei last summer.

Farrell, who is double majoring in international studies and modern languages and cultures, shared studying abroad was a lifelong dream come true. “The funding provided by Gilman kept my parents and myself from worrying about how my summer studies would be funded, and allowed me to focus on learning Mandarin. Additionally, with the funds I had left over, I was able to completely fund my follow-on service project to hold a Chinese Moon Festival last October.”

Robles Rodriguez, a mechanical engineering major, said his summer studying Mandarin in Taiwan was one of the most meaningful experiences of his life. “Through daily immersion, I gained confidence using Mandarin in night markets, on public transportation, and while traveling independently throughout the country. Without the Gilman Scholarship, studying abroad in Taiwan would not have been an option for me, and its support allowed me to fully enjoy the experience without financial stress. I was incredibly happy during my time abroad, and it reinforced how powerful and life-changing studying in a foreign country can be.”

Gracie Harlow ’27, who is double majoring in history and English with a concentration in literature, has been awarded a Gilman Scholarship to study Spanish at Universidad de Alcalá in Madrid, Spain, this summer for four weeks.

“As a Pell Grant student, I already come from a low-income background, so I never believed that studying abroad at another university would be in the cards for me. But this scholarship is covering half of the program costs, which relieved a lot of financial stress. VMI has made this amazing opportunity possible for me, and I couldn’t be more thankful.”

Kendrick reported VMI has enjoyed a 100% success rate in applications submitted and funded over the last year, and credits it to the hard work cadets put into drafting, editing, and refining their applications.

“Having served on the national review panels for both awards, I can testify that the competition is stiff. These cadets must tell a compelling story and thoughtfully connect their study abroad plans to future career goals. Over 17,000 applications were submitted nationwide last year in the March cycle, and of those, roughly only one-fourth were funded. Last year’s October cycle had 7,700 applications and only 20% were selected. This speaks to the high quality of our outstanding cadets. Furthermore, our two cadet awardees from 2026 maxed out the award at $5,000 each, and were awarded an additional $3,000 for the study of a critical language. This is a significant contribution and makes studying abroad a reality for cadets who might not otherwise have the opportunity.”

Cadets interested in studying abroad should visit the Office of Global Education on post to learn the requirements of the Gilman and Gilman-McCain Scholarships or other available awards, or email GlobalEd@vmi.edu for more information and to start on their application.

Statement from Superintendent on HB1377

VMI is pleased to offer its support of HB1377 as amended on the floor of the House of Delegates today. We are appreciative to the House of Delegates for their bipartisan efforts to amend the bill to remove references threatening VMI’s state funding. We are confident that an impartial task force will find that VMI is a Virginia treasure that produces citizen-soldiers ready to serve selflessly as military officers or civilian leaders. While no institution is perfect, VMI is open to improvement in our constant pursuit of excellence. Should the bill be signed into law, we look forward to working with the task force and sharing the VMI experience with them.

LtGen David J. Furness ’87 (USMC, ret.)
Superintendent
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE

VMI Receives Accreditation Award

Virginia Military Institute was recently honored by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), an institutional accreditor for quality assurance in higher education, representing 780 institutions. It presented VMI a Torch Award, a new recognition that celebrates member institutions for their leadership in one of three categories: affordability, student success, and post-college outcomes. VMI was recognized for exceptional post-college outcomes, the only Level II institution—one whose highest degree offered is a bachelor’s degree—to receive the award in that category. Dr. Stephen Pruitt, SACSCOC president, formally announced the award at the association’s annual conference in December.

The Torch Awards elevate the work of institutions that demonstrate exceptional commitment to access, quality, accountability, and measurable improvement, reflecting SACSCOC’s mission to highlight and support student-centered excellence across the region. The recipients were selected based on their strength across multiple indicators in each award category, rather than overall ranking.

VMI was granted the award based, in part, on its strong postgraduate successes. According to recent data, 97% of VMI graduates are employed or are in graduate/professional schools within five months of graduation. Brig. Gen. Robert W. Moreschi, dean of the faculty and deputy superintendent for academics at VMI, stated approximately 54% of the Institute’s recent graduates were commissioned into the military while 30% accepted full-time positions with well-known public and private sector employers. “Furthermore, 10% were accepted in graduate and professional institutions with many of these attending academic programs ranked in the top 75 by U.S. News & World Report.”

Col. Andrew Luna, director in the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and SACSCOC liaison for VMI, strongly believes the Torch Award is the culmination of VMI’s ongoing commitment of honor and excellence to every cadet it serves. “While we are currently undergoing our 10-year reaffirmation of our accreditation with SACSCOC, we have actually been accredited by them since 1926. For one hundred years, VMI has met the rigid accreditation standards to prepare our cadets for strong leadership roles, and this new award shows VMI is clearly doing its job.”

Cadets Rally at NYSE

Ten members of the Cadet Investment Group (CIG) at Virginia Military Institute, along with advisor Maj. Steve Landgraf, assistant professor in the Department of Economics and Business (ECBU); and Capt. Zebulen Riley, instructor in ECBU, traveled to Wall Street in New York City (NYC) in December, to meet with financial analysts and traders, including VMI alumni who work in the industry.

CIG is a student-led organization that is charged with making investment decisions with actual cash provided by an endowment established by an alumnus. Most members major in economics and business, but it is not a requirement. According to Landgraf, two different groups in CIG manage approximately $380,000 in total. “Group A invests in cyclical sectors, which are consumer discretionary, energy, industrials, technology, and materials. Group B invests in defensive sectors, which are health care, consumer staples, utilities, financials, real estate, and communication services. This annual trip to New York is another great example of how dedicated VMI alumni are to mentoring our cadets. CIG itself provides cadets the opportunity to put their education into practice every week, but the interaction with finance professionals in New York is an experience that’s difficult to replicate anywhere else,” he said.

A tour of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) was arranged for the CIG with assistance from Brian Tate ’90, executive managing director and head of Energy and Natural Resources Group at Regions Securities LLC; and Jim Sharp ’93, managing director at Regions Bank. Tate and Sharp flew up from Charlotte, North Carolina, to join the VMI contingent at NYSE for the day.

Later, the CIG visited Bill Argiriou ’81, a commodities trader at RBC Capital Markets. The group met with Charlie Branch ’95, a wealth manager for Merrill Lynch, then proceeded to TM Capital, a middle-market investment bank founded by Gregory Robertson ’65. Robert Browning ’94 at AllianceBernstein, an asset management and investment advisory firm, also spent time with the group providing career advice. The day was capped off with a dinner in Midtown Manhattan hosted by the NYC VMI alumni chapter, presided by Paul Dickinson ’96.

Conner Reid ’27, cadet-in-charge of the CIG, is majoring in economics and business with a concentration in finance. He shared the trip was an incredible experience. “We visited several banks including TM Capital and Bank of America, and even had the opportunity to attend the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange. The trip was especially impactful because we were able to connect with VMI alumni and professionals who have already walked the path many of us are about to embark on. Building those relationships and receiving guidance from people who have been so successful in their careers has been invaluable, and many of them have become true mentors throughout my journey. It reinforced how powerful it is to foster relationships and form bonds with people 10, 20, or even 40 years ahead of you, who can serve as mentors and role models in your career.”

CIG meets weekly and reviews overall fund performance, discusses current events and their impact on the financial markets, then votes on portfolio additions or deletions, requiring a majority to execute a transaction, either buy or sell.

VMI Hosts “11 Days” – One-Man Show Explores Bonds Forged in Combat

The Center for Leadership and Ethics (CLE) at Virginia Military Institute will host, “11 Days: The Story of Operation Pineapple Express,” Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 7:30 p.m. in Gillis Theater, Marshall Hall. The event is open to the public.

Written and performed by retired U.S. Army Green Beret Lt. Col. Scott Mann, the one-man, one-act stage production brings to life the human cost, moral courage, and extraordinary leadership demonstrated during the final days of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. Adapted from Mann’s New York Times bestselling book, “Operation Pineapple Express,” the play offers a firsthand account of a covert, volunteer rescue effort led by U.S. special operations veterans and partners who refused to leave Afghan allies behind. Working from kitchens, basements, and living rooms throughout the U.S., the group coordinated across time zones and bureaucratic barriers to help evacuate nearly 1,000 at-risk Afghan interpreters, commandos, and their families. “11 Days” is a visceral, edge-of-your-seat theatrical experience that explores the bonds forged in combat, the weight of moral injury, and the enduring responsibility to keep promises made in war. Directed by Jason Cannon, the production centers on themes of courage, healing, honor, and leadership under extreme pressure.

“This isn’t just my story,” Mann said of the production. “It’s the story of a team—retired and active-duty service members, intelligence officers, and public servants—who refused to let fear or politics stop them from doing what was right.”

Some scenes of the show contain strong language, intense emotional themes, and trauma-related material, which may not be suitable for children.

Tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 for veterans and senior citizens. VMI cadets, faculty, and staff are admitted free with VMI ID. Reservations are not required. Tickets may be purchased at the door with cash or check. Immediately following the performance, the production team will hold a discussion with the audience.

A teaser video is available, and additional information about this event, related resources, or other upcoming programs hosted by the CLE are available on the Center’s website.

Guest Speaker Addresses Namibian Genocide

Virginia Military Institute welcomes Vladimir Chlouba, Ph.D., assistant professor of leadership studies at the University of Richmond’s Jepson School of Leadership Studies, for a lecture titled, “Displaced but Not Forgotten: The Aterritorial Legacy of the Namibian Genocide,” Monday, Feb. 9 at 8 p.m. in Nichols Engineering Building auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.

Chlouba is a political scientist with interdisciplinary interests. His research centers on politics in Sub-Saharan Africa with particular focus on traditional leadership, the legacies of early statehood, and the long-term effects of colonialism. His field experience has taken him to numerous African countries including Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, and Malawi.

The event is sponsored by the Academic Speakers Fund and the Department of International Studies and Political Science.

Passmore’s Research Published

Lt. Col. Tim Passmore, associate professor in the Department of International Studies and Political Science, recently published an article addressing the effect of populist government on international cooperation in International Studies Quarterly, a peer-reviewed academic journal of international studies and an official journal of the International Studies Association. The article was co-authored with Dr. Jared Oestman, assistant professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.Dr. Tim Passmore

Passmore has spent several years studying nations’ willingness to support multinational peacekeeping operations with personnel and funding.

“I have sought to understand why peacekeeping operations, which are overwhelmingly effective as shown in a body of literature, still struggle to acquire the resources necessary to carry out their mandates. In particular, the United Nations (U.N.) peacekeeping in recent years has been underfunded by up to 30%. This has a critical impact on peacekeepers’ ability to do their jobs and often results in scaling back mandates or performing tasks effectively,” he said.

Passmore and Oestman collected data over a number of years to test the impact of populist governance on financial contributions to U.N. peacekeeping operations since 1991. They found a strong negative impact of right-wing populism, but no such effect for left-wing populism. They theorized that right-wing populist leaders are more averse to the costs of participating in multilateral operations, oppose interventions in distant foreign countries, and are more likely to view the U.N.’s bureaucracy as part of the global elite.

This research makes an important contribution to a growing body of literature on how shifts in the domestic political landscape, particularly among western democracies, has impacted and will continue to impact international order and cooperation.

Retired Marine Shares Message of Post-Traumatic Winning

Virginia Military Institute welcomed retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Michael “Mac” McNamara Jan. 12-14 to address the Corps of Cadets. McNamara is a broadcaster and author of “From Trauma to Joy,” and “Colleen Can’t Forget.” Both books address living successfully after experiencing trauma.

Each of the four cadet classes attended separately McNamara’s three-hour seminar, “Post-Traumatic Winning,” which has been presented to more than 150,000 civilian and military audiences across the United States since 2019. It highlights lessons learned by McNamara from years of interviews and discussions about living a great life after traumatic events. He also shared his message with faculty and staff.

VMI Superintendent Lt. Gen. David Furness ’87, who personally invited McNamara to post, served with him in the Marine Corps and has known him for over 35 years. Furness introduced McNamara to the audiences by sharing his own heartbreaking experiences in 2018.

“I took over the command of Second Marine Division in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and in my first three months of command, I had five suicides. I reached out to the mental health professionals and asked, ‘Why is this happening? What can we do about it?’ I wasn’t going to accept continuing what had always been done, because it wasn’t working. I knew Mac was doing a radio show called ‘All Marine Radio,’ and was interviewing lots of combat veterans, hearing common themes, and finding trends in trauma and healing. I asked him to develop a program that would help my Marines with stress and emotional health, and he agreed. In 2019, right after the Christmas holidays, he came to Camp Lejeune with his presentation and gave it to a total of 14,000 over a one-week period.”

The impact the seminar had on the Marines was successful and immediate. Furness was pleased. “I couldn’t go anywhere without Marines coming up to me thanking me and telling me it had changed their lives.”

McNamara himself has seen and experienced significant trauma and loss. He is a combat veteran who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He was a close-up witness to a helicopter crash during a training exercise at Twentynine Palms, California, in which the pilot was decapitated in his seat. His family shared deep hurt and pain when his sister Peggy’s husband shot and killed their two sons, then after beating her, turned the gun on himself. Another sister died horrifically. Instead of dwelling in a dark place, he chose a better way.

His methods of helping others overcome suffering are based on building relationships and sharing testimonials of personal traumatic ordeals. He told his audiences not to be afraid to sit down and talk to people who are struggling. “I don’t want you to hit the ejector seat as soon as they start getting serious, saying, ‘It is not a place where I belong.’ You do belong there because you’re in their life.”

McNamara equipped his listeners with helpful ideas they can implement immediately, and provided them with a wealth of additional resources including reels, online seminars, and podcasts accessible on his website fromtraumatojoy.com.

Biology Professor Publishes Article

Maj. Alison Burke, assistant professor and health professions advisor in the Department of Biology at Virginia Military Institute, recently had a research article published in PLOS One, a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

Burke, whose specialty is molecular microbiology, explained the article highlights information about four newly discovered viruses that could be used to improve seafood safety.

“We used oysters purchased from the grocery store, that had been harvested from the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia, to isolate bacteriophages — viruses that destroy host bacteria — against Vibrio parahaemolyticus, a bacterium commonly found in coastal waters that can accumulate in oysters and cause foodborne illness in humans when contaminated shellfish are eaten raw or undercooked. Unlike antibiotics or chemical treatments, bacteriophages are highly specific and naturally occurring, targeting only their bacterial hosts without harming other organisms or the environment.”

This work, which spanned over a period of one year and co-written by five other biologists, contributes to a growing body of research exploring solutions for food safety and aquaculture. “By improving our understanding of how bacteriophages interact with harmful bacteria in marine environments, the study lays important groundwork for future strategies to reduce bacterial contamination in shellfish without relying on antibiotics.”

Author: Mary Kate du Laney