March 6, 2025 Editor, The News-Gazette: The VMI board of visitors announced last week that they voted 10-6 not to renew the contract for Superintendent Wins. Until compelling reasons are given, it is difficult not to conclude this decision reflects at best a political turn against intentional efforts to dismantle racism and at worst a resurgence of white supremacism.
General Wins was appointed following a state investigation that found a culture of racism and sexism at the Institute. He led changes to make the Institute more welcoming to students and faculty of color, including the creation of a DEI department. The board has acknowledged and rewarded General Wins for his excellent work. Now, in this particularly fraught political climate they seem to have suddenly reversed their judgment.
I wrote the president of the board nearly two weeks ago seeking clarification of the reasons for this decision. No response. I have reached out to several trusted members of the Institute community and received assurances that race was not a factor. But these same sources could not offer any other explanation.
There is an important opportunity here at a critical moment in our national life, and in our national effort to dismantle racism and promote racial justice and healing. The governor and the board of visitors might use this opportunity to invite and respond to concerns about General Wins non-renewal. They might foster a conversation within the Institute community and with the public about the importance to VMI and to the nation of promoting racial justice, healing and respect.
I fear continuing silence from the governor and the board on this matter will become deafening evidence of a culture of white supremacy seeking to reassert itself. Please say and do something to dispel that awful silence, and use this opportunity to reaffirm and promote respectful dialogue, racial justice and healing. TUCK BOWERFIND, Rector, Grace Episcopal
