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Tag: In the Community

Kendal Residents Help VMI Psych Majors with Research

Col. Sara Whipple, professor in the Department of Psychology at Virginia Military Institute, recently accompanied cadets in her Developmental Psychology course to Kendal at Lexington, a retirement community, to interview older adults and complete a paper about the experience. This is the second year Whipple has collaborated with Kendal on the project.

Whipple explained, “The primary purpose of this project was to provide opportunities for these 12 cadets, all majoring in psychology, to put into practice what they have learned in class regarding qualitative research techniques, specifically interviews, while simultaneously applying theories of older adulthood.” Over the course of two lab periods, pairs of cadets interviewed Kendal residents using a set of questions addressing significant personal events and accomplishments, cultural changes, historical events, and problems around the world.

“The questions I prepared were intended to provide structure and standardization to the interviews. However, with the goal of having meaningful conversation and to get to know each other, both cadets and Kendal residents were free to ‘go off script’ and ask follow-up questions or curiosities of their own,” said Whipple.

Cameron Jones ’27 and Daniel Moon ’27 enjoy chatting over lunch with Kendal residents, Marise Craig and Paul Cormier. –Photo courtesy of Dianne Herrick.

Dianne Herrick, a Kendal board member and resident of 13 years, helped recruit the adult volunteers for the project. Herrick, like Whipple, strongly believes in the value of intergenerational communication and face-to-face dialogue. “Sitting down for a few hours chatting with cadets has been very popular among Kendal residents.  It was a good contemplative exercise for both seniors reflecting on their lives, and cadets looking forward to the start of their careers.”

Cameron Jones ’27 said it was an honor and privilege to speak to the Kendal residents.

“I found each conversation incredibly meaningful. I think this is something that all VMI cadets would enjoy and benefit from. I would like to go back to Kendal, even on my own, prior to graduation next spring. I felt the residents enjoyed our visits as much as we did.”

Olivia Hurd ’27 is thankful she was involved with the project.

“Getting the opportunity to dive deep into what has shaped a person’s life is something I will never forget. The residents were kind and caring, and were happy to talk with us about their lives. In addition to conversation, they also gave advice and perspectives on things I never thought about before.”

With all the positive feedback Whipple received from cadets and residents, she plans to continue the project during the next academic year.   

Cadets Lead Cyber Defense Workshops to Benefit Area Small Businesses

Virginia Military Institute has developed an experiential learning project called, “Students-Led Cyber Defense: Creating a Safer Digital Landscape for Local Businesses and Nonprofits in Rockbridge County,” in which VMI cadets serve as instructors, mentors, trainers, and support to nonprofits and small local organizations in Rockbridge County which have no information technology or cybersecurity team. 

The initiative is designed to equip cadets with practical cybersecurity skills, bridging the gap between traditional classroom learning and real-world application, and positioning them for successful careers after graduation. The project is funded by a grant from the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative.   

According to Dr. Sherif Abdelhamid, assistant professor in the Department of Computer and Information Sciences, team member of the Cyber Defense Lab at VMI, and project principal investigator, the project began in January 2025.

“We spent last spring preparing the training material and learning modules, and an additional four months developing ‘Aegora,’ a web platform that hosts the material and service tools. Our first instructional class was with the Virginia Innovation Accelerator (VIA) in Buena Vista. Cadets conducted comprehensive cybersecurity threat assessments, advised on securing network systems, delivered cybersecurity training, and provided advisory support for integrating artificial intelligence to enhance daily workflows, marketing strategies, and data analysis while maintaining data integrity.”

Nickie Hawkins, director of VIA, attended the cadet-run class and found it invaluable. She was able to use what she learned the following week, when one of her workplace accounts had a password breach. “I was able to recognize the issue, communicate with my team, and apply the necessary interventions to protect our data and accounts. Having the confidence to move forward quickly reduced the potential impact of the breach and reduced the time spent on securing data,” said Hawkins.

One cadet on the team, James Bangura ’26, a computer science major with a track in cybersecurity, said the program has been one of the most meaningful hands-on experiences of his academic career.

“I have been involved in assessing digital vulnerabilities and helping develop practical security recommendations for local businesses and nonprofits in Rockbridge County. This project has been incredibly rewarding because it allows us to apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges that directly impact our community. Working on this initiative has strengthened my technical skills, improved my ability to communicate complex security concepts to non-technical audiences, and reinforced my commitment to serving others through cybersecurity.”

In addition to Bangura, there are currently seven other cadets on the team including Benjamin Davis ’26, James Jeffers ’26, Gunnar Romsland ’26, Shahryar Shah ’26, Lucienne Ashmore ’27, Ian Coker ’27, and Katelyn Redlinger ’27. Abdelhamid stated there are plans to provide training to additional local businesses, and to apply for additional grants to extend the program.

Cadets Give Back Before Furlough

One of the many things Virginia Military Institute cadets are renowned for are their selfless acts of service, even when it is not convenient. That was made evident during the most stressful and demanding time of fall semester, exam week.

The Building BRIDGES Club at VMI supported the local nonprofit, Remembering Rockbridge Veterans, in participating in National Wreaths Across America Day, Dec. 13.

Fourteen cadets laid wreaths on veterans’ headstones at Evergreen Cemetery. During the solemn ceremony, Capt. Eli Facemire ’19, associate chaplain to the Corps of Cadets, delivered the invocation; Col. Ley Havird ’90, commandant, provided remarks; and Ben Bowen ’26 Pipe Band major, offered a rendition of “Amazing Grace” on bagpipe.

Col. Valentina Dimitrova-Grajzl, faculty co-advisor for Building BRIDGES, also in attendance, was moved the cadets chose to participate on their last Saturday before winter furlough.

“I am glad cadets could take part in this event to honor and remember our veterans, and to reflect on the sacrifices they made to defend our freedoms.”

Cadets and others pose for a photo with holiday wreath.
Ben Bowen ’26 plays “Amazing Grace” on bagpipe during National Wreaths Across America Day, Dec. 13 at Evergreen Cemetery.

Nationally, the Wreaths Across America activity incorporated two million volunteers at more than 5,200 locations in all 50 states, remembering the fallen, honoring those who serve, and teaching the next generation the value of freedom.

The evening before, the Building BRIDGES Club; Preston Library; the Office of Diversity, Opportunity, and Inclusion; and the cadet art group sponsored a holiday card-making event at the post exchange. A large crowd of cadets gathered for hot apple cider, s’mores, and to create and personalize greeting cards for veterans, senior community residents, and others in need of some extra seasonal cheer.

Sean Daffron ’26, along with his roommates, attended to share in the holiday merriment. He revealed his own grandparents recently moved into an assisted living center.

“I know how hard it is to be away from family, especially during the holidays. I’m hoping these cards can make the recipients’ days more cheerful, even if it’s just a little.”

VMI Joins Community in Celebrating Veterans Day

Virginia Military Institute contributed significantly honoring veterans at the City of Lexington Veterans Day parade and ceremony on an exceptionally cold Nov. 11. Led by Regimental Commander Devin Auzenne ’26, a contingent of the Corps of Cadets, including members of the Pipe Band, marched from Oak Grove Cemetery, down Main Street past hundreds of spectators to the Old Courthouse to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Veterans Memorial in Courthouse Square.

In addition to the cadets, school marching bands, members of the Lexington Police Department, Lexington Fire and Rescue, Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office, antique Jeeps, various floats, and veterans and their families joined the parade.

VMI Superintendent Lt. Gen. David Furness ’87 was the keynote speaker at the ceremony in front of the Old Courthouse. Furness, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, gave a brief history of Veterans Day, originally called Armistice Day by President Woodrow Wilson at the conclusion of WWI in 1919. The idea was to commemorate those who served in the Great War which ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day by Congress in 1954 to honor all American veterans. Furness also challenged his listeners to contemplate the freedoms Americans enjoy. “Opportunities to gather, debate, write, and worship at any time in our great nation. We have these freedoms because men and women valued our Republic so much that they stood against tyranny to defend it.  Let us take a moment to pause and reflect on the lives of those Americans who throughout our history, answered our nation’s call, and in doing so, took great personal risk with little promise of reward. Let us also thank God that we live in a country that still produces men and women willing to risk everything to keep our nation free.” 

Furness added that to fully honor veterans, remembering just one day a year is not enough. “Commit to becoming a better citizen every day. Exercise your constitutionally protected right to vote. Volunteer with compassion, zeal, and purpose to make your local community a better place to live and work. However we choose to serve, we honor veterans by making America that ‘Shining City on the Hill’ once again.” 

Furness stands at a podium.
Lt. Gen. David Furness ’87 addresses the crowd gathered in front of the Old Courthouse on Veterans Day. –VMI Photo by Kelly Nye.