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At Virginia Military Institute’s Office of Global Education, more than 10% of cadets each year choose an international learning experience. Through semester or summer programs, cadets not only widen their global perspectives — but build critical thinking, resilience, independence, and the ability to communicate across cultures. Learn more about these first-hand experiences through our Study Abroad Ambassadors.
Name: Anthony Pate
Year: 2026
Major: Economics and Business
Which program did you do?
I did the internship with Pasta Fabianelli.
What made you decide to participate in this program?
I wanted to participate in this internship to gain hands-on work experience with the opportunity of being abroad in Europe.
How did you balance this program with VMI’s unique educational approach?
The program included Italian classes along with the internship. It also provided certain educational experiences in the town. I balanced these activities by completing all of my work as soon as I received it. I also kept reminding myself that I was there representing VMI.
What were your keys to success?
My keys to success were trying to bring a positive attitude to each day and working my hardest. Adaptability is taught at VMI, so I just tried my best to adapt to any situation possible.
How do you think participating in this program will aid you in your future?
The participation in this program gave me quality work experience that I can bring to my future jobs.
What was the best part of the program?
The best part of the program was to be able to experience a whole new culture while also gaining work experience.
What was the most surprising thing about the county you visited?
There were many more English speakers than I anticipated. I also was surprised how beautiful Tuscany was.
Favorite memory?
My favorite memory was visiting a restaurant recommended by my roommates’ parents. We had to jump through hurdles to get there, but it was the best steak I have ever eaten. Another fond memory from the internship was talking about soccer everyday with my colleagues. When they found out that I loved soccer they would speak to me about the games.
VMI’s Coast Guard detachment kicked off their first ever spring field training exercises in style with the arrival of a U.S. Coast Guard HH-60 helicopter to post.
Organized by Cmdr. William Davis ’00, father of detachment member Alexis Davis ’23, the helicopter visit provided cadets a chance to learn from Coast Guard pilots about aviation and operations. Davis was thrilled to support cadets looking to commission in the Coast Guard.
“This is an amazing thing right here,” Davis said. “When I graduated in 2000, there was no formal path or assistance [to commissioning in the Coast Guard]. There was a need for a Coast Guard detachment. I think it is a significant accomplishment for these cadets that have put it all together.”
A growing program at VMI, the detachment prepares cadets for commissioning in the Coast Guard through certifications, guest speakers, physical training, internship opportunities, and serving in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
This weekend, the detachment travels to Smith Mountain Lake and conducts aviation training, small boat training, and safety and Homeland Security briefs.
“The Coast Guard detachment is proud to participate in FTX,” Aidan Simmons ’23 said. “[The experience will] boost all cadets that are involved with a chance in commissioning the Coast Guard and learning more about the branch.”
Virginia Military Institute’s cadet-athletes have to juggle cadet life, heavy academic course loads, and their NCAA Division I sport. Committed to both academic and athletic pursuits, balancing their rigorous schedule in both sports and school requires a certain level of commitment and discipline. Behind the Balance is a series that focuses on those cadet-athletes and how they handle the hurdles of the day-to-day.
Anthony Wilkerson ’28 was looking for connection when he came to Virginia Military Institute. Initially, it was a mix of track and field and a scholarship through the U.S. Army that got him through the door, but it was the bonds he formed with his brother rats that made him want to stay.
“I came here for track and field. But being here, making connections with my brother rats — people older than me, younger — just made me want to stay here even more,” he said.
Wilkerson hopes to attend medical school, so he’s devoted a lot of his time at VMI to his studies and keeping up his GPA. It’s also the reason he joined the cadet emergency medical technicians (EMT).
“I wanted to become an EMT because I wanted more medical field experience, something I could put on my resume for medical school,” he commented. “I think everyone needs to learn emergency medicine, because you never know when someone might pass out right beside you and it might be your best friend suffering. Instead of sitting there in a panic, you know what to do.”
The biology major is going into the semester with 18 credits, which he must balance with his track and field schedule while also being an EMT corporal. With days starting early at 6 a.m. and classes throughout, mixed in with practice, and the need to keep up with assignments, he’s usually up until nearly midnight. His responsibilities are plentiful and well spread, but he’s learned that time management and determination are his best friends.
“I think I have a pretty good sense of time management, because I’m the type of person that has to get all my work done before I lie down,” he explained. “I don’t think about doing something late. I don’t even look at that as an option, to be honest.”
Cadet-athletes at VMI not only have their responsibilities with their selected sport but cadet duties on top of that. Cadets are also required to take physical fitness classes twice a week, participate in ROTC all four years, prepare for room and uniform inspections, practice for parade, guard duty, and more.
Wilkerson shared there is a shift on the team as upper-class cadets graduate.
“Last year we had a lot of 1st Class cadets, and you had someone to look up to. But this year, it’s like me and my friends are the ones the rats are looking up to,” he stated. “Last year, my brother rats and I would go to our dykes’ rooms, but now all the rats are coming to our rooms. It’s a cool change in dynamic being able to give those people advice on things that they’re looking for. They come to you for literally anything.”
He aims to be an example for others.
“I want to make sure with my rat, and the people younger than me, that I’m always there for them, and they feel like they can come talk to me whenever they want,” he said. “I can have a stronger bond with them.”
Stress can be a big factor in Wilkerson’s daily life at VMI, but he combats it by decompressing in his room after hours.
VMI Team Challenge track and field meet at the Corps Physical Training Facility in Lexington, VA January 11, 2025. (Randall K. Wolf)
“I just handle the stress of the day by coming back to my room and just talking to all my roommates,” he said.
Having people to talk to with is a good outlet, especially since there isn’t much time in the day to dwell or complain.
The regimented schedule works to his benefit, allowing him to get shorter class assignments done between things.
“If I have a break between classes, I’ll do those assignments,” he said.
Whether he’s eating lunch in his room to catch up on work or spending a chunk of time between practice and dinner, Wilkerson is hammering away on assignments to stay on top of things. He says VMI has kept his life structured and allowed him to not procrastinate, compared to life at home.
“When I come here, it’s just so much different, where I have to be here at this time. I can’t be late or this, I need to show up looking a certain way. Being here and then going home, two completely different realms,” he explained. “I think being here, it honestly helped me more than going to a different college. There are still opportunities to have fun here, just your priorities, they come first.”
The Vanguard series highlights cadets of Virginia Military Institute who exemplify promise, perseverance, and the true spirit of leadership. While they may not be the top-ranking students or those in prestigious positions, these individuals’ dedication, resilience, and growth embody the essence of being a VMI cadet. By sharing their stories, including the challenges they’ve faced and overcome, we shine a spotlight on the diverse paths to success at the Institute, proving that leadership and excellence come in many forms.
Playing a part in the bigger picture was one of Jackson Geisendaffer’s ’28 goals when he came to Virginia Military Institute. He wanted a school that would challenge him to be the best leader and prepare him to move forward, especially when those plans are to commission into the U.S. Army.
“I saw that to become that leader of value, I would have to go through challenges and struggle with myself,” he said.
His father was a VMI graduate. Growing up, he learned of his time at the Institute and said it was a big determining factor in attending versus enlisting.
It’s also the reason he became a corporal in the Old Corps. Geisendaffer said he wanted to be part of the team and serve as a leader, while taking accountability and ensuring everyone is responsible and doing their best.
“I take accountability for everybody that’s in my squad, make sure that their uniform appearance is up to standard and make sure that people are doing what they’re supposed to do in my company,” he explained.
Originally entering the Institute on the cross country team, Geisendaffer switched to Ranger Challenge, which is described as an Army ROTC varsity sport. Teams form early in the semester and train nearly every morning of the week all the way up until the Sandhurst Military Skills Competition at the U.S. Military Academy (USMA) at West Point in mid-spring.
“I think the biggest factor is being able to work within a team. When I was in high school, I was doing sports throughout. I had a hard time expressing my ideas and my thoughts within a group, and hearing out other people’s ideas,” he said. “But here, you have a job to do, so you must get along, and be able to communicate in a way other people understand. I think fundamentally, that’s probably one of the biggest things for officers to have. I think it sets me up for success.”
The English major is forward thinking. He grew up reading and loved literature, especially classics like Charles Dickens’ novels. It was something he was naturally good at and was drawn to. He also saw the merit of choosing that major.
“I feel like having an English degree is going to give me the skills to be an effective communicator as an officer and as a team leader in general,” he said.
Maj. Adam Cody, assistant professor in the Department of English, Rhetoric, and Humanistic Studies, describes Geisendaffer as insightful and inventive, with a strong work ethic, precise attention to detail, and a productive rapport with peers.
During an in-class peer review workshop, Cody said Geisendaffer showed great promise in his leadership skills. He had a constructive and conscientious approach to peer mentorship, where he was patient and attentive with his classmates and his instructor, and his feedback on his peers’ writing reflected a diligent commitment to helping others improve their writing skills.
“Cadet Geisendaffer may consistently be relied upon for his keen understanding and thoughtful judgment,” Cody said. “In class, he displays a tendency to notice key details that other students overlook, and his critical and lateral thinking skills enable him to make connections between ideas and to integrate unfamiliar concepts into a coherent system of knowledge.”
Geisendaffer prefers not to procrastinate, which is a complete departure from his days in high school. Admitting that he was below average in high school, he didn’t take pride in his grades or think he was going to college. He decided he needed to make a change. Since coming to VMI, he’s disciplined and on the ball.
“I kind of blew a lot of the stuff off and went by doing the bare minimum,” he stated. “Then I got here, and I realized that there’s more opportunities that come when you actually dedicate yourself to the grades and to these challenges. I found when I applied myself and I studied hard, I got the results that I wanted and the results that I deserved because of the changes that I made.
“I stayed on top of everything, especially during rat year, and I saw results, so I just kept sticking with it,” he continued. “I keep a detailed schedule of where I need to be, when I need to be there. I ask questions. I don’t waste time.”
Lt. Col. Jochen Arndt, associate professor in the Department of History, has known Geisendaffer since he was a rat and enrolled in his world history course. He was impressed with his vigor for learning and his ability to earn high marks.
“Cadet Geisendaffer navigated the Rat Line with aplomb and performed in the top ten percent of my course, earning an ‘A’ for that semester — far above the average grade of a ‘C,’” he said. “He paid attention to detail, completed the assigned readings, came to class ready to participate, and took good notes. Given the amount of work required to perform well in this class, I am sure Cadet Geisendaffer had to work many late hours, especially in preparation for the course’s two research paper assignments and the 3-hour final exam, all of which he completed with superior grades.”
Arndt also noted that he uses his skills well by becoming a writing center consultant, where he’s able to help his peers become better writers and students. It was something that set him apart from his classmates.
“Cadet Geisendaffer struck me always as modest in spite of his superior performance. He went about his work in a professional manner, with seemingly no drama and no wasted energy,” he commented. “When he showed up at my door to discuss his paper assignments, for instance, I was pleasantly surprised to find that he came well prepared with completed drafts ready for my review. When I suggested changes, he listened carefully, asked good questions, and then implemented the required changes.”
Dr. Luke McNulty, adjunct professor in the Department of English, Rhetoric, and Humanistic Studies, said of his 57 students in a course where the current average grade is a C, Geisendaffer is one of 12 currently sitting at an A.
“I can rely upon Cadet Geisendaffer to have read and understood these difficult materials before our class meetings, and to share his thoughts as a leading participant in our group discussions,” he said. “He has served me as a valuable interlocutor, and he has served his peers as a model of clear, careful thinking and speaking. I hasten to add that he has also been a model of character in his willingness publicly to express and defend his ethical principles.”
Virginia Military Institute’s cadet-athletes have to juggle cadet life, heavy academic course loads, and their NCAA Division I sport. Committed to both academic and athletic pursuits, balancing their rigorous schedule in both sports and school requires a certain level of commitment and discipline. Behind the Balance is a series that focuses on those cadet-athletes and how they handle the hurdles of the day-to-day.
Balancing 20 credit hours, Division I athletics, and the demands of ROTC is no small task, but for Isabelle Haer ’28, that challenge is exactly the point.
“I’m a big fan of the structure — the formations, waking up, having set things to do. Then being with people who are very focused on their future,” she said.
Haer was drawn to Virginia Military Institute for its framework, closeknit environment, along with the opportunity to pursue both athletics and a potential commission. She found VMI as a place that matched her focus and drive.
Her father was a graduate of The Citadel and she’s had many family members who have taken the military path. She wasn’t a stranger to what VMI could offer.
“It was kind of the perfect fit, because it had the swim and dive team. It had the level of academics I was looking for, and a great alumni network,” the international studies major admitted.
As a diver on VMI’s swim and dive team, she competes in the one-meter and three-meter springboard. Haer started out as a gymnast, though. When COVID-19 hit while she was in high school, she decided to make a switch. By her junior year, she was diving for her high school team.
“I’m a big fan of always being able to learn something new and striving to be better,” she said. “For me, it’s very skill based so, as a gymnast, there was always a better skill you could get. Now with diving, I can always add another flip. I can always add another twist. You improve your technique somehow, point your toes, straighten your legs, switch positions. There’s always something that I can add on to my diving, so it’s never a boring practice.”
She’s sometimes not as experienced as others in terms of certain dives, which can get in her head, but, she goes back to her foundation — she’s trained and worked hard.
“I have to trust myself, my body, and my muscle memory,” she said. “When I get up there, I know that I can do it. At the end of the day, it is just a sport. It’s just a portion of my experience here at VMI. One dive isn’t the end of the world.”
If she ever overanalyzes before a competition, she has a plan. She has keywords she repeats to herself: “stand up straight, point your toes, keep your chest up on the board.”
“I just say it’s a dive, it’s okay, just try your best,” she admits. “As long as you do your best … whatever happens, happens. I like to trust my practice that I’ve put in, and know that when it’s time to perform, I’m ready, because I’ve put in the hours and put in the work.”
VMI Swim & Dive vs. WLU Action Shot
Cadet-athletes at VMI not only have their responsibilities with their selected sport but cadet duties on top of that. Cadets are also required to take physical fitness classes twice a week, participate in ROTC all four years, prepare for room and uniform inspections, practice for parade, guard duty, and more.
On top of her general cadet duties, she also serves as a math tutor for the Miller Academic Center, where she helps with several 4th Class classes. She is an S5 corporal, where she helps lead public relations, counseling, and recruiting programs for the Corps of Cadets.
With 5:30 a.m. wakeups, Haer has morning practice several days a week. After thate, she’ll often have some time to get classwork done before a block of classes.
“That’s when I like to do a lot of my homework, right after practice when I have the blood flowing,” she commented. “It helps me. I like to get stuff done more in the mornings.”
She goes from class straight to afternoon practice, which lasts until nearly 7 p.m. some days. This type of schedule follows her throughout the year — the season for swim and dive is from August to February.
“I think the rigor is the main thing here. The strict schedule and being with like-minded individuals, always having something to do, but always being pushed to better myself and held to a higher standard will set me up,” she stated.
The Vanguard series highlights cadets of Virginia Military Institute who exemplify promise, perseverance, and the true spirit of leadership. While they may not be the top-ranking students or those in prestigious positions, these individuals’ dedication, resilience, and growth embody the essence of being a VMI cadet. By sharing their stories, including the challenges they’ve faced and overcome, we shine a spotlight on the diverse paths to success at the Institute, proving that leadership and excellence come in many forms.
From staying on friends’ couches to graduating early from Virginia Military Institute, Bianca Marlang’s ’27 path has never been a straight line. She faced adversity within her family, but persevered.
“Coming from a Filipino background, as a firstborn daughter, too, I felt trapped and not listened to. I had to make a way for myself,” she explained. “It’s a lot of pressure but in that, I pulled myself up.”
Graduating high school during COVID-19, she wasn’t on good terms with her parents. She spent much of that time bouncing back and forth to friends’ houses and exploring college options.
“I was practically homeless … I was living with whoever would take me in, friends at the time,” she admitted. “I didn’t have contact with my family for about two or three years.”
She got to VMI thanks to her uncle’s help. But she hit a wall with financial aid. Sitting outside the alumni building on the benches with her uncle, she thought there would be no way she could attend the Institute. She said with a lot of annoyance from her side, she attained enough information and assistance to figure it out.
“I wanted to come here because of the honor system and the most important point: I like the fact that the Rat Line evens everybody out. I can come from the background that I came from, and I meet people with completely opposite backgrounds,” she stated. “It’s really interesting that we’re all going through the same thing, and we’re all leveled out by this one adversity.”
Col. Sara Whipple, professor in the Department of Psychology, said she met Marlang as a prospective cadet and remembers being impressed by her even then.
“I have now had the opportunity to get to know her across multiple contexts — in class, as an advisee, and as an ambassador to the VMI Civil Discourse Initiative. Bianca takes her academic work seriously and devotes herself to a number of extracurriculars. At the same time though, she is humble and has a great sense of humor,” Whipple explained.
Coming to VMI as a 21-year-old was intimidating. She didn’t want to be known as the old cadet. Her other college experiences prior to attending the Institute included going to Old Dominion University and community college. That ended up in her favor, having several prerequisites already completed.
“It’s been ingrained in me that education is the one thing that people can’t take away from you, even at the grave. That comes with you,” she stated.
Those extra credits also have allowed her to graduate in the spring, a year ahead of schedule. From there she plans on attending Austin Peay University in Tennessee to complete her prerequisites for a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DTP) program. She hopes she can commission into the armed forces through that program.
“Bianca is the kind of student every professor hopes to see on the roster the first day of class — cheerful, curious, and unafraid to ask tough questions,” Col. Glenn Sullivan, professor in the Department of Psychology, said.
The psychology major has already taken steps towards her medical career by being a cadet emergency medical technician (EMT). She was inspired by her mother, who is a nurse, and her uncle, who is a doctor.
“I think seeing the Rat Line from behind the scenes and seeing everything from a third point of view is interesting,” she said. “As cadre, you’re too in it, because people are yelling at you; you’re yelling at people. And as a rat, it’s the same thing. But as an EMT, I kind of took a step back.”
Marlang also serves as an ambassador for Braver Angels and the VMI Civil Discourse Initiative (CDI), which holds debates teaching civil discourse.
“We try to get people to engage in these debates. I feel like people don’t want to talk or even listen, which is what we need right now,” she explained.
As a rat, Marlang said that she began as more closed off, but her time at VMI has broadened that.
“I think I’ve become more open minded because I’ve heard other people’s points of view. It’s made me stronger in my beliefs, but at the same time, it’s made me more tolerable and respectful of other people’s point of view,” she said.
Whipple could see that right away. She was particularly impressed with Marlang as a rat when she spoke at one of the CDI debates.
“Her speech was not prepared in advance but rather came out of her own interest in, and reaction to, others’ thoughts,” Whipple said. “Bianca is willing to speak her mind, but she also makes a concerted effort to listen and understand others. As such, she has been an incredible leader within the VMI CDI.”
Marlang feels the VMI system has prepared her for the future. She has noticed the changes that the Institute has instilled in her.
“It makes you fail on purpose,” she commented. “I realized that a lot of me has changed when I went home. Normally, whenever I would get criticized or yelled at, I’d have a visceral reaction. But I kind of got used to it. I think the recovery part from failures is what VMI has helped me with a lot.”
Describing her as highly inquisitive, not only academically, but on a personal level, Whipple said that Marlang is genuinely interested in others and knowing their stories.
“Whenever she drops by my office, it’s a welcome visit because I know that in one sitting, we can go from academic discussions to the completely inane,” Whipple continued. “She has had personal challenges during her time at VMI, but manages to keep her goals central during these times. I think that type of focus and commitment are major contributors to her perseverance. Last year she made up her mind that she wanted to graduate a year early, and she is doing it.”
The Vanguard series highlights cadets of Virginia Military Institute who exemplify promise, perseverance, and the true spirit of leadership. While they may not be the top-ranking students or those in prestigious positions, these individuals’ dedication, resilience, and growth embody the essence of being a VMI cadet. By sharing their stories, including the challenges they’ve faced and overcome, we shine a spotlight on the diverse paths to success at the Institute, proving that leadership and excellence come in many forms.
A NARP is a common term around college campuses — a non-athletic regular person — and a way Sara Mihalovich ’26 describes herself, but she is far from ‘regular.’ Although she can be laid back, the 1st Class cadet at Virginia Military Institute is determined and excels at whatever she puts her mind to.
It’s something her professors and peers notice.
“Cadet Mihalovich stands out to me because she can really sustain long-term attention to research, learning, and writing, which of course produces superior work,” Col. Michelle Iten, professor in the Department of English, Rhetoric, and Humanistic Studies (ERHS), commented. “I also admire her authenticity. She does hard things, such as the half Ironman and writing powerful papers, but she feels no need to make sure everyone knows she is doing hard things. She walks the walk, as they say.”
From working at the library, participating in the literary journal Cadence, being the triathlon club cadet in charge to serving on the Rat Disciplinary Committee (RDC), Mihalovich has taken advantage of what VMI sets cadets up with — a foundation for achievement.
“I was very quiet when I first got here. I was very uncomfortable in probably every single situation possible I was put in,” she admitted. “I think being uncomfortable in those situations has made me grow. Now you can put me in any situation, and I will do a lot better. I was able to be uncomfortable and it pushed me over the edge a little bit.”
Col. Mary “Polly” Stewart Atwell, associate professor in the Department of ERHS, has taught Mihalovich in four different classes and said she’s distinguished herself in each one.
“She’s actively engaged in class discussion, and though she’s generally a quiet person, it’s clear that her classmates respect her and listen when she talks,” Atwell explained. “She’s an incredibly talented writer, and won first prize in both the fiction and poetry categories in the Cadence journal’s Creative Arts Contest — something I’ve never seen before in 11 years at VMI. I always appreciate her intelligent, measured, and thoughtful participation in class.”
Mihalovich puts herself out there. She’s more involved.
“I was mostly a ghost my rat year and 3rd Class year. I didn’t really know what the school was all about yet. I had to figure my way through life a little bit,” she said.
Taking a position with the RDC got her involved at a higher level. She was one of two female cadets chosen to take a spot.
“I like how intense the RDC is. I wanted to be part of the Rat Line in some way my senior year. Then I could be part of the it when my rat is also going through it,” she explained.
The experience allowed her to bond with her rat but also keep tabs on the upcoming class. She was able to get workouts in and stay active, too.
“I’m very physically active, so already that’s a big part of the RDC. We do a lot of physical activity with them, and I’d be able to keep up,” she said.
Physical activity is a must for Mihalovich. She’s participated in triathlons since she was 8 years old. In the fall, she completed a half Ironman. That’s a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike ride, and 13 mile run.
Since Mihalovich knows structure thanks to VMI, her triathlon and half Ironman training regime was easy to come by. From spending hours on the bike, going from long runs, and taking time in the pool, she felt prepared to do her first half Ironman. She also fed off the energy of her fellow racers.
Md5: 9aaf5eec177b7c4acb545f8738a2213e
“Everybody really wanted to do it. It was a very cool environment to be in. Finishing was insane, because I enjoyed every single second,” she said. “The crowds were insane. You didn’t need music at all. You were just listening to everybody cheering for you. The finish line was obviously the loudest, through the big arch, and you feel like you’re going to collapse, but then other people are holding you up. It was an amazing experience.”
Committed to schedule, Mihalovich likes to have all her daily tasks done by 10:30 p.m.
“I like getting my sleep, so I try to do all my homework and everything during the day,” she said. “My day is very, very busy.”
She’s thought ahead, too. Frontloading her class schedule in her first years at VMI has helped. In her last semester, she’s taking 14 credits.“I’m good in any high stress situation. Time management is a huge thing, too. Having 18 credit hours per semester was insane and then having triathlon stuff on top of that was just a crazy workload for an 18- to 20-year-old to have,” she stated.
Mihalovich admits the academics have been challenging for her.
“We take a lot more credit hours than most people, and we don’t have as much time to complete everything,” she said. “We have our inspections, we have our mandatory games, we have our ROTC time, we have PT [physical training], we have all that.”
The English major is currently focusing a lot of her energy on her senior capstone project — a 12 to 15-page research paper focusing on French artist Fragonard, looking at his paintings and how he paints desire and love through a narrative.
“She is willing to wrestle with her ideas and with uncertainty, to dig deep into her research, and to draft and revise many times. I really admire this trait as sustained focus is increasingly hard for all of us,” Iten continued. “Cadet Mihalovich’s capacity to remain engaged over a long process of research and writing shows great promise. I know she will take this intellectual endurance into planning and problem-solving in her service as an officer in the USMC.”
Col. Steven Knepper, professor in the Department of ERHS, agreed that Mihalovich is skilled at bringing research and analysis together.
“This is evident in her excellent senior capstone about the paintings of Jean-Honoré Fragonard,” he said. “She does impressive academic work, and she also helps her fellow cadets. She gives pointed but encouraging feedback in class discussions and in peer review.”
She spent last semester doing the bulk of her research for her capstone, so she’s now in full research paper writing mode. The idea for her thesis was sparked from one painting that caught her eye early on — “The Swing.”
“I built off what key aspects were in that painting,” she said. “I looked at some of his other paintings and how he portrayed similar themes within the other ones. It took off from there.”
Mihalovich plans to attend Marine Corps Officer Candidate Course, with the intent to commission. It took several different other ventures into VMI’s ROTC branches for her to land on the Marines.
“I like the structure of the Marine Corps, their morals and their mission,” she said. “I like how they’re smaller, more compact team.”
Virginia Military Institute’s cadet-athletes have to juggle cadet life, heavy academic course loads, and their NCAA Division I sport. Committed to both academic and athletic pursuits, balancing their rigorous schedule in both sports and school requires a certain level of commitment and discipline. Behind the Balance is a series that focuses on those cadet-athletes and how they handle the hurdles of the day-to-day.
Wrestling brought Ray Cmil ’26 to Virginia Military Institute, but it was the people that made him stay. He was drawn to the community and the relationships he started building at VMI and what that would mean for him later in life.
“After considering all the schools I was looking at, I decided VMI would be the best place for my future and to develop myself as a person,” he said.
He’s made close friends at the Institute, especially his teammates.
“We’ve spent so much time together, and it would be weird without them. We eat every meal together, practice together all day, and we’re hanging out in the room together,” he explained.
The English major has a heavy load of 17 credits his last semester while being in season with wrestling. Most days he’s up at 5:30 a.m. for a morning weightlifting session before heading off to breakfast and class. He has about four classes a day, breaks for lunch and then heads down to practice an hour early to get some extra work in.
“I don’t really write it down that much. It’s kind of just in my head — my day-to-day routine,” he said. “I think the easiest part for me is just taking the first step. Starting all my homework, or just doing whatever ever I need to do and not procrastinate.”
Cadet-athletes at VMI not only have their responsibilities with their selected sport but cadet duties on top of that. Cadets are also required to take physical fitness classes twice a week, participate in ROTC all four years, prepare for room and uniform inspections, practice for parade, guard duty, and more.
“I’ve been forced to step out of my comfort zone a lot,” Cmil admitted. “With communication and leadership, just stepping up and forcing yourself to do things you don’t want to do. Especially this year, seeing all the 4th Class cadets coming in and trying to be a mentor for them. I had so many important older guys when I was coming up that I want to be a positive impact on the [incoming class].”
VMI Wrestling vs. Duke Action Shot
Cmil started wrestling in the third grade, but he grew up hearing stories from his father who wrestled. The thing he enjoys the most is that it’s one-on-one.
“The work you put in is a direct representation of the output you get,” he stated. “If you put in the work and dedicate yourself to it, you’ll get results.”
Being at VMI has forced him to crack down on his responsibilities and time management for his demanding schedule.
“I think the fact that you have so many responsibilities, and there’s so much asked of you, you get used to it here,” he said. “From a broader perspective, you realize that other people haven’t done what you’ve been doing for the past four years. I think being in that mode and mindset, VMI builds prepares you for what’s to come.”
Virginia Military Institute’s cadet-athletes have to juggle cadet life, heavy academic course loads, and their NCAA Division I sport. Committed to both academic and athletic pursuits, balancing their rigorous schedule in both sports and school requires a certain level of commitment and discipline. Behind the Balance is a series that focuses on those cadet-athletes and how they handle the hurdles of the day-to-day.
Originally, Tazewell Rae wasn’t thinking of attending a military school. It was a high school coach that put him in touch with Virginia Military Institute’s head track and field coach and set up a visit.
“Every other school I visited, I kept comparing to VMI,” he said. The students he saw on other campuses didn’t match up to the caliber VMI presented.
“The other academic departments don’t compare to VMI. I really enjoyed the civil engineering department here. The classes are about 20 people or 25 people at the most. It just felt like a good environment,” he continued.
Rae comes from Middlesex, Virginia, where his high school was tiny and had a graduating class of about 65 people.
“I’m the only person out of my school in the past two years who’s committed for any sport,” he stated.”
He came to VMI for track and field. Although in high school, he played several sports, including soccer, football, basketball, and indoor track and outdoor track. He stuck with track and field, where he throws the shot put.
“Throwing is that nice break where you’re one-on-one with yourself, and you’re just focusing on that,” he explained. “You have control of that.”
During his first two years of high school, he didn’t have a track and field coach. Then in his junior year, a friend’s father came to coach. That coach had a daughter who attended VMI, which gave Rae the connection to the Institute.
Cadet-athletes at VMI not only have their responsibilities with their selected sport but cadet duties on top of that. Cadets are also required to take physical fitness classes twice a week, participate in ROTC all four years, prepare for room and uniform inspections, practice for parade, guard duty, and more.
The civil engineering major has 17 credits this semester, while also serving as the 3rd squad Bravo cadre corporal. He is also seeking a commissioning route with the U.S. Army.
Some days he has up to five classes, so balancing all his responsibilities can be challenging.
“There are a couple of long nights a week. I’ve had my fair share of three-in-the-morning Nichols Engineering study sessions with my roommates,” he admitted. “I’m one of three civil engineering cadets in my room, so it’s nice. We’re all athletes, so we’re used to the same load.”
To distract himself, he tries to pick up hobbies.
VMI Team Challenge track and field meet at the Corps Physical Training Facility in Lexington, VA January 11, 2025. (Randall K. Wolf)
“I’m trying really hard to learn the banjo,” he said. “I try to stay busy, it’s usually how I avoid stress. Idle hands are not good.”
He also finds reprieve in throwing, which serves as an escape for him.
Rae takes his training seriously, weightlifting up to four days a week during the season. Even in the off season and over the summer, he said he’s throwing nearly every day.
“It’s just a lot of rinse and repeat, focusing on one thing. It’s never perfect, so there’s always something to work on,” he stated. “It’s kind of methodical. A lot of people call it poetry in motion. It’s just something you can focus on.”
In high school, he had the mindset of doing things on his own. At the Institute, he realized there’s more team effort.
“I got close with all the people in cadre, I’ve learned how to find my place in an organization,” he said. “Here I’m able to I’m around like-minded people, where they want to stay in shape and they want to push you. I thrive in that environment.”
At Virginia Military Institute’s Office of Global Education, more than 10% of cadets each year choose an international learning experience. Through semester or summer programs, cadets not only widen their global perspectives — but build critical thinking, resilience, independence, and the ability to communicate across cultures. Learn more about these first-hand experiences through our Study Abroad Ambassadors.
Name: Josiah Farrell
Year: 2028
Majors: International Studies with a Chinese minor
Which program did you do? National Chengchi University (NCCU) Huayu BEST Chinese program
What made you decide to participate in this program?
I knew coming to VMI that I wanted to study abroad at some point, so getting to spend the summer in Taiwan seemed like the perfect fit. My aim is to someday speak Mandarin Chinese fluently enough to serve as a U.S. diplomat, so I saw this trip as a perfect opportunity to get speaking experience in a native setting which is close to unachievable in the U.S. Being able to travel with my friends was also a huge draw for me to this program.
How did you balance this program with VMI’s unique educational approach?
Being in this program was my first time experiencing a normal college lifestyle, so it was a learning curve at first figuring out how to utilize all the free time I had. However, I found that establishing a routine much like that at VMI was an effective strategy for ensuring I stayed on task.
What were your keys to success?
I found that establishing a routine for balancing work and free time was critical for success. However, outside of that, I found that going out and seeking natural speaking experiences was extremely beneficial for practicing the content that we learned in the classroom. These everyday interactions, such as going to the convenience store, attending a concert, or exploring the city with friends all provided practical speaking experience which in turn allowed for better performance in the classroom.
How do you think participating in this program will aid you in your future?
I believe this program affirmed my ambitions to serve as a diplomat in Eastern Asia and that the speaking and comprehension skills I learned while abroad gave me a better understanding of colloquially spoken Chinese. I believe that these experiences will allow me to better understand both the people of Taiwan and the Mandarin speaking world as a whole in my future career.
What was the best part of the program?
The best part of the program by far was the ability to explore the city of Taipei with friends and make new connections with both Taiwanese locals and other foreign students. The free time we had allowed us to embark on a new adventure every day such as visiting temples, picking and brewing local tea, and participating in traditional games like dragon boat racing.
What was the most surprising thing about the county you visited?
By far the most surprising aspect of Taiwan was how exceptionally clean it was. The Taiwanese culture of sustainability and personal responsibility for the environment meant that, despite Taipei being a massive and densely populated city, the streets were spotless and the surroundings were luscious and green. I was extremely impressed by just how carefully the Taiwanese cared for their community.
Favorite memory?
My favorite memory in Taiwan by far was our first morning, where I climbed to the very top of a nearby mountain and visited a temple. From there I was able to take in the amazing views of Taipei’s metropolitan area and dense forests alike, and the reality of being on a once in a lifetime trip finally set in.
