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Virginia Military Institute has announced the speakers who will address the Class of 2026 in May. Gen. Christopher J. Mahoney, 13th vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the nation’s second highest-ranking military officer, will address cadets beginning their journey of military service at the joint commissioning ceremony, Friday, May 15 at 2 p.m. in Cameron Hall, and the 75th Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia and first woman elected to the position, Gov. Abigail Spanberger, will speak to the graduating cadets at commencement exercises Sunday, May 17 at 11 a.m. Both events are open to the public. The Cameron Hall clear bag policy will be in effect.
Mahoney graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in economics, and commissioned into the Marine Corps. He completed The Basic School and Infantry Officer Course at Quantico in 1988.
After earning his qualification as an A-6E Intruder pilot, Mahoney deployed to the Indo-Pacific with the Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron known as the “Bengals.” He completed transition training to the F/A-18 Hornet, a supersonic, twin-engine jet, at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) El Toro in Orange County, California, and made multiple deployments with the “Bengals” as well as the fighter squadrons known as the “Werewolves,” the “Crusaders,” and the “Bats,” to the Indo-Pacific, Italy, and Iraq.
He has held command at the squadron, group, and wing levels. He completed a joint force tour as chief of staff of the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California, and served as executive assistant to the deputy commandant for programs and resources at Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC) in Arlington.
His general officer duties include 37th assistant commandant of the Marine Corps; deputy commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific; director of strategy and plans at HQMC; deputy commander, U.S. Forces Japan; commanding general, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing; and deputy commandant for programs and resources, HQMC.
Mahoney is a graduate of the Weapons and Tactics Instructor course, the Marine Division Tactics Course, and the Navy Fighter Weapons School commonly known as TOPGUN. He served as an instructor at the Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One at MCAS Yuma in Arizona, and has over 5,000 hours of flight time. He is also a qualified forward air controller and parachutist.
Mahoney holds two master’s degrees. One from the University of Canberra in Australia, and one from Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama, both with the highest academic distinction.
Spanberger grew up just outside of Richmond and graduated from J.R. Tucker High School in Henrico County. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia, and later completed an MBA from a dual-degree program between Purdue University and the GISMA Business School in Germany.
Before becoming governor, Spanberger worked as a federal law enforcement officer with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, then later as a case officer for the Central Intelligence Agency. She ran for Congress in Virginia’s Seventh Congressional District in 2018 and won three consecutive terms.
She and her husband, Adam Spanberger, a software engineer, have three daughters.
Each May during graduation week at Virginia Military Institute, graduating cadets, family, and friends gather for a non-denominational Baccalaureate service. This annual event, hosted by the Chaplain’s Office, celebrates the collective faith, fellowship, and service among 1st Class cadets at VMI.
Several special recognitions and awards are given to graduating cadets who have demonstrated exceptional service and character within their respective faith communities on post. The service also includes congregational songs, special music, and a guest speaker. For the past several years, the guest speakers have been chief of chaplains for the various military branches.
For this year’s event, May 16 at 6 p.m. in Memorial Hall, VMI is honored to welcome Chaplain (Rear Adm.) Carey H. Cash, the 21st chaplain of the Marine Corps and soon-to-be acting chief of chaplains.
A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Cash graduated from The Citadel in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and was named First-Team All American for Division I-AA Football. Answering the call to ministry, he attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and earned his Master of Divinity in 1998. He completed a Master of Theology with a concentration in ethics from Boston University in 2008 and a Doctor of Ministry from The Catholic University of America in 2017.
His operational tours include battalion chaplain to the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment where he provided ministry to infantry Marines during the opening months of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He then served as chaplain to the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment after which he was chosen by the Navy’s chief of chaplains to receive the Military Chaplains Distinguished Service Award for Ministry to Marines. He also served as command chaplain aboard USS San Jacinto (CG 56), deploying to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom carrier operations and oil-platform defense; officer in charge of the Mobile Support Team for U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Forward – Afghanistan; command chaplain aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) and for Carrier Strike Group 3, deploying in support of U.S. 7th Fleet operations; and force and fleet chaplain for United States Naval Forces Central Command/ U.S. 5th Fleet in Bahrain, where he coordinated religious ministry for all Navy chaplains afloat and ashore serving in the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility.
Cash’s shore assignments include deputy director, Chaplains Religious Enrichment Development Operation (CREDO) Europe; command chaplain to Naval Support Facility Thurmont, Camp David, Maryland; deputy command chaplain at the U.S. Naval Academy, and most recently, commanding officer, Naval Chaplaincy School, in Newport, Rhode Island. Cash assumed his current duties as the 21st chaplain of the Marine Corps and deputy chief of chaplains in May 2022.
His awards include the Legion of Merit (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards), Combat Action Ribbon, and Presidential Unit Citation.
When the cannonball across Letcher Avenue from Memorial Hall transforms into a highly-detailed ring with a brilliant center gemstone, the observant passerby knows it’s time for Ring Figure, one of the many significant brother rat bonding experiences in the lives of Virginia Military Institute cadets. It was during the two-day celebration held Nov. 20 and 21 that 2nd Class cadets received their class rings. Though the weather was dreary in Lexington, to the members of the Class of 2027, the atmosphere on post was warm and radiant throughout the long-awaited events, including the presentation of combat rings and class supper Thursday evening, followed by a family brunch, class ring presentation, ring blessing, and Ring Figure ball on Friday.
The first ring was designed by members of the Class of 1848 and was presented to graduates during finals celebrations. The design was simple. The word “Mizpah” was cut in the stone and on the inside of the band was engraved, “1 of 24, July 1848.” Mizpah, from the Hebrew, is translated as “the Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.” The term signified brotherhood, the enduring connection among the 24 graduates of the Class of 1848. Modern rings have become increasingly larger and more elaborate in design, but the tradition of the class designing their one-of-a-kind ring remains the same and the word “Mizpah” is often still found. The custom of 2nd Class cadets receiving the class ring was established in 1907, and the addition of the Ring Figure ball started in 1927 with the Class of 1928.
The traditional presentation of the combat rings was held in Memorial Hall followed by the class supper in Crozet Hall Thursday evening, where the cadets dined while entertained by a jazz quartet led by Lt. Col. Matthew Halligan. Kimber Latsha ’77, a representative from the class who graduated 50 years before the honored class, offered congratulatory words to the cadets and gifted them a class guidon to carry at their future reunions. The Douglas Carter France III ’71 Memorial Award was presented by Warren J. “Buddy” Bryan ’71 to Gabriel DuPlessis ’27, who received the honor through an election by his peers. Established in 1969 by the Class of 1971 as a tribute to their brother rat who lost his life in an automobile accident, the award is presented each year to the 2nd Class cadet who best emulates the qualities of France: excellent character, selflessness, graciousness, and enthusiasm.
The class nominated Sgt. 1st Class Larry Aviles, Army ROTC military science instructor, to be their honorary brother rat for the evening. Mutual affection was displayed as the cadets welcomed Aviles to the podium with chants and applause, to which he responded with a lighthearted, “What up, weirdos?” Following the laughter, Aviles thanked the class for the tribute and earnestly challenged them to always remain disciplined, be a service to others, and to remember they chose the hard road. “That road will beat you up, break you down, and make you question why you ever set foot on it. However, it’s also the road that forges warriors, leaders, and people who can carry the weight when no one else can. You have already proven you can handle more than most ever will. You’re not just the Class of 2027, you are the next generation of warriors, and it’s time to own that.” Despite his plans of retiring in seven months, Aviles promised to return for the class’s graduation in 2027.
Pierson Read ’27, vice president of the class, presented Aviles with a signet dinner ring and framed print of “Charge of the VMI Cadets at New Market,” by Benjamin West Clinedinst, VMI Class of 1880. A favorite of Aviles, the original 18-by-25 foot oil painting hangs in Memorial Hall.
—VMI Photo by H. Lockwood McLaughlin
Originally from the Bronx, New York, Aviles enlisted in the Army in 2006. He was deployed multiple times to the Middle East including Operation Iraqi Surge, Operation Iraqi Sovereignty, New Dawn, and Operation Enduring Freedom. He was later assigned to The Lightning Academy—the military’s premier jungle training venue in located in Hawaii—where he served as a jungle survivor instructor. In that capacity, Aviles was deployed to train or teach in multiple countries around the world including the French Foreign Legion “Caome Foga” in Gabon, Africa; the Jungle Warfare School “Guerra na Selva,” in Manaus, Brazil; and the Marine Jungle Warfare Course in Okinawa, Japan. Aviles was then assigned to recruiting operations in Portland, Oregon, where he enlisted over 40 future soldiers and participated in countless high school instructions. After recruiting, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, and 101st Airborne Division as a platoon sergeant where he trained soldiers through JRTC rotations and multiple live fire exercises. Aviles’ military education and certifications consist of tactical tracking operations, Army jungle survival, Marine jungle warfare, rappel master, air assault, Army basic instructor, medical casualty assistance, Army recruiting course, Equal Opportunity Leaders Course, Counter-Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Device/Electronic Warfare course, Spider M7 Munitions course, Tactical Site Exploitation course, Class 1 UAS course, Field Sanitation course, Combat Lifesaver course, Combative level 1 course, Basic Leaders course, Advanced Leaders course, and Senior Leaders course. Aviles was also awarded the Expert Infantryman Badge and Combat Infantry Badge.
Following Aviles’ speech, Matthew Assouad ’27, class president, invited his brother rats to put on their combat rings, which they did to boisterous cheers, and ensued in vigorously banging their rings on the chairs and tables, filling the dining hall with a metallic symphony.
On Friday, a family brunch in Crozet Hall preceded the formal ring presentation ceremony where 2nd Class cadets received their individualized rings in Cameron Hall. Mohammad Zanganeh ’27, Ring Figure chairman, welcomed guests, offered opening remarks, and introduced the speakers, the first being Lt. Gen. David Furness ’87, superintendent. Furness shared with the cadets that he remembers being in their shoes 40 years earlier. “I recall being overwhelmed by the accomplishment and the anticipation of getting that ring on my finger. The VMI class ring is a unique symbol among our nation’s service academies and senior military colleges, for no two class rings are alike, which makes us different from every other institution. Symbolism is important. It helps connect us to the values and ideals we cherish, and reminds us of them long after our journey at VMI has ended. The acceptance of this ring brings a new journey of great responsibility and portends a life of selfless service ahead. Like your choice of attending VMI, service and sacrifice are truly the path less traveled, and this path is one full of purpose and rewarding life experiences.”
Alumnus guest speaker, retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Paul Brier ’81, addressed the class after Furness. Brier described the VMI ring as a military totem of the United States, a bond and a heritage. “It is a lifelong reminder that you are never alone. This ring carries a silent but powerful message: that you are a leader, a person of character, and someone who can be trusted to do what is right.” He continued by imparting to them the difference between talent and trust. “Talent is important. The military thrives on it, and here at VMI, your talents have already carried you far. But talent alone is never enough. Talent is about the individual. Trust is about the team. When pressure builds—in combat, leadership, and in life—it is trust, not talent, that determines who people will follow. You build bonds forged not by talent, but by trust, and those bonds became the foundation of your class identity, the very strength you celebrate today as you put on that ring. Your ring symbolizes far more than individual achievement. It symbolizes your class. You wear it not just for yourself, but for every brother rat who walked the Rat Line with you, who sweated and suffered beside you, who now stands as part of a great, unbroken chain of trust stretching back generations.”
At the conclusion of his speech, the class presented Brier with a first edition of “One Hundred Years at VMI,” by William Couper, VMI Class of 1904.
Brier received a Naval ROTC scholarship to attend VMI, where he earned a degree in civil engineering. He also holds a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He is a veteran of the Gulf, Iraq, and Afghanistan wars, and retired after 36 years of military service. During this service, he commanded the 3d Battalion, 14th Marines; 6th Civil Affairs Group in Iraq; Marine Forces Central Command Coordination Element, Afghanistan; U.S. Marine Forces Europe; U.S. Marine Forces Africa; and 4th Marine Division. He also served as deputy commander of Joint Force Maritime Component for Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn, conducting contingency operations in Libya and the Mediterranean Sea; and as the assistant deputy commandant for plans, policies, and operations, Marine Corps Headquarters at the Pentagon. As a registered professional engineer civilian, Brier serves as the assistant circuit executive for the U.S. Courts of the Fourth Circuit leading the facilities program for the federal judiciary in Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. He is also an offshore skipper, coach, and mentor in the Commanding and Seamanship Training Squadron, a premier summer training program at the U.S. Naval Academy, where midshipmen receive training and experience in ocean sailing, seamanship, navigation, leadership, and teamwork aboard Navy 44 sloops. His awards include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, and Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” and gold star.
Later Friday afternoon, the ring blessing service was held in Memorial Hall. Col. John Casper ’04, Institute chaplain, shared his message, “The Prize is Worth the Price,” a phrase which he confessed helped get him through his cadetship. “It’s the idea that the prize of an end goal is worth the price you have to pay to get it. In academics, the prize of a good grade is worth the price of studying. The prize of wearing a ring and saying you go to VMI comes with the price of hard work, suffering, and acknowledging your own weaknesses. The catch is you have to decide in your heart if it’s worth the price, and each of you have. You’ve chosen the road less traveled.” Casper encouraged the cadets to not lose sight of the actual prize they are after, their faith. He referenced the biblical passage, I Corinthians 9:24 “Do you know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.” Casper’s talk was followed by five cadets who offered prayers, verses, or blessings from their respective faiths of Protestantism, Catholicism, Muslimism, Judaism, and Buddhism. Each faith group then held individual blessings in separate areas of the chapel.
The evening wrapped up with the Ring Figure ball in Cocke Hall with the traditional dress code of coatees, white ducks, or long white skirts for cadets, floor-length white gowns and elbow-length gloves for female civilian dates, and tuxedos with white bow tie for male civilian dates. Before entering Cocke Hall, couples proceeded through an arch of sabers held high by two opposing lines of cadets in Memorial Hall. They were also photographed as they posed in the larger-than-life replica ring.
Virginia Military Institute was established Nov. 11, 1839, when 23 young Virginians were mustered into the service of the state and, in falling snow, the first cadet sentry — John B. Strange of Scottsville — took his post. This year VMI, the oldest state-supported military college in the country, celebrated the 186th anniversary of its founding Friday, Nov. 7.
The morning began with Rat Olympics, the spirited culmination of Rat Challenge, the 10-week physical fitness program, held primarily in the Corps Physical Training Facility, with challenges also held on North Post obstacles. Events at Rat Olympics included relays, dodge ball, rope race, rock climbing, and culminated with a tug-of-war bracketed championship. The company that is named victor of Rat Olympics is the one that scores the most points. Additionally, the company that works the hardest and displays the best attitude is awarded the Stockwell Cup, named for the late Col. Bill Stockwell, and the cadet who has demonstrated the spirit, enthusiasm, and vision of Rat Challenge throughout the 10 weeks is presented the Col. James Coale award.
In the afternoon, the Corps of Cadets, along with faculty, staff, alumni, and special guests, convened in Cameron Hall to honor Eugene “Gene” Williams ’74, recipient of the Distinguished Service Award, VMI Foundation’s highest honor. First presented in 1969, the Distinguished Service Award recognizes alumni and friends whose service to the Institute, dedication to the Foundation’s mission, and career achievements and distinctions are truly exceptional. Gene is the 77th recipient of the award.
Lt. Gen. David Furness ’87 exhibits the Distinguished Service Award while John Williams ’88 presents the citation recognizing the achievements of Gene Williams ’74 (center).—VMI Photo by H. Lockwood McLaughlin.
Lt. Gen. David Furness ’87, superintendent, welcomed those gathered and stated VMI’s founders set out to create a school deeply entrenched in a strong sense of civic duty and honor. “One of the greatest testaments to the effectiveness of our educational model is our graduates. We have alumni who accomplished great feats in all walks of life. They live influential lives in their communities and have a service mindset. However, they do not do this for recognition, but because it is the right thing to do. Today, we are privileged to bestow one of VMI’s highest service honors, the Distinguished Service Award, on one of our graduates.” Furness then introduced the president of the VMI Foundation, John Williams ’88, who read the citation recognizing the achievements of Gene and his commitment to service, presented him with the award, and invited him to the lectern to address the audience who saluted him with a standing ovation.
Gene thanked family, friends, and his brother rats who traveled from Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Texas, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and all corners of Virginia to pay homage to their BR. He shared his adoration for VMI.
“I love my school in many ways. I’m actually defined by my school. VMI molded my life into something of value.” He cited its principles, ideals, and its contributions to the country and the world. “However, our beloved school is not without blemish. VMI was very late tearing down barriers to racial justice as it was the last public college in Virginia to integrate, and I regret that. I have older relatives who would have benefited greatly from the rigor, the structure, and the character and leadership development that is fundamental to the VMI system. They would have also brought dignity and quality to this place, as I have tried to do during my cadetship and afterward. That opportunity was simply not permitted here between 1839 and 1968.” He added his words may sound hard, but they are the truth, and the truth must be told. “I am extremely proud that when our school eventually acted, it implemented the integration of the Corps with dignity, fairness, and determination that failure was not an option. No other school in the state of Virginia integrated more smoothly, fairly, and successfully than VMI. It repeated that performance in 1997 with the admission of women. Neither of these transformational events were flawless, and we are still work in progress, but we did demonstrate that we could do very well whatever we resolved to do.”
Gene implored the cadets to be truth seekers and oppose what is not honorable and not true, and to help make the world truly great.
“I know you cadets have the intellect, the backbone, and the strength of character to do this. It will take tremendous courage and foresight on your part, and the support of the leaders here at VMI.”
He continued by affirming he celebrates Founders Day with sincerity and with the acknowledgement of the high ideals of honor, discipline, and courage. “The foundational principles in 1839 that are still still true today. I celebrate this with the full knowledge that if I were alive in 1839, the best that I could have envisioned was being an enslaved worker here at VMI. I would have not been treated as a man created in the image of God, but as chattel. It would have been a living hell, because I would have longed to be free. I would have fought and died to be free. This is why this recognition today is so meaningful to me. This is also why I remain so hopeful and encouraged about the future.”
He further noted that efforts to sanitize history are wrong, dangerous, and unfair. “Truth has to be acknowledged, and it has to be reconciled. I have great faith that the majority of VMI people will be agents of what is right, just, and honorable. If that is the case, we’re going to be all right.”
He closed by stating despite whatever else has been going on in the affairs of VMI, including many issues that have caused him distress, he has always had confidence that the leaders of VMI were committed to developing healthy and honorable young leaders and having fidelity to the principles of the Institute. “I have faith that this will continue to be the case, and I pledge my support to Gen. Furness and his administration to be an advocate and supporter of VMI.”
Gene is founder and executive director of the College Orientation Workshop, Inc. (COW), a four-week challenging educational enrichment program, held each summer at VMI. Next year marks its 40th year of transforming the lives of promising, male, minority and at-risk high school students.
He was in the third class of African American cadets at VMI. He received an athletic scholarship to play football and was dubbed “Mean” Gene on the gridiron. He played multiple positions including defensive safety, tight end, fullback, halfback, quarterback, and linebacker. He received All State, All Southern Conference, and All-American recognition, and was named an Outstanding College Athlete of America. He was selected to play in the All-American Bowl game in 1974 in Tampa, Florida, and sustained a serious injury in that game which ended his football career. That same year he received the Henry Fairfax Ayres Most Valuable Player Award and was inducted into Kappa Alpha Order. Within the Corps of Cadets, he attained the rank of lieutenant in Echo Company.
In 1978, Gene became the first African American and youngest appointee to the VMI Board of Visitors (BOV). He remained on the BOV for 10 years. He is a past member of the Keydet Club Board of Governors and the VMI Foundation Board of Trustees. He was inducted into the VMI Sports Hall of Fame in 1985, was keynote speaker for the 2001Virginia Commonwealth Games, and was the commencement speaker at VMI’s December graduation ceremony in 2017.
Following his speech, the Founders Day parade was held in which Gene took review of the parade alongside Furness. The Cadet Battery fired a 15-gun salute from the howitzers. Friday evening, the Institute Society Dinner was held in Marshall Hall where Gene was an honored guest, and Furness was keynote speaker.
