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Editorial
We stand behind the sentiments we expressed in this space two weeks ago -- two days before Virginia Military Institute’s board of visitors, in a special called meeting with little advance notice, voted 10-6 not to renew the contract of Superintendent Maj. Gen. Cedric Wins -- that Wins is still the right person to lead VMI.
As we stated then, Wins, in the four-anda- half years he’s guided his alma mater, “has done a masterful job of advancing the mission of educating citizen soldiers through the rigorous methods unique to VMI while safeguarding the Institute from acts of racism that threatened its very existence at the outset of his administration.”
From our perspective outside post, it appears Wins, VMI’s 15th superintendent and the first African American to hold the position, has done a remarkable job. He came aboard at a time of unusually difficult circumstances -- the pandemic was raging, highly publicized incidents of racism had marred VMI’s reputation, applications for admission were in decline - and he righted the ship in short order. Applications and admissions rebounded, private fundraising increased, state investment in facility upgrades reached unprecedented levels.
We were heartened by a strongly worded statement Wins issued last week to the VMI community in which he vigorously defended what he and his administration have accomplished over the past four years and took issue with the decision to dismiss him.
“My tenure will end,” he wrote, “because bias, emotion and ideology, rather than sound judgment, swayed the board. Their actions undermine the rich legacy of VMI for political gain. Instead of advancing this school from a crucible for principled leaders rooted in our values and a training ground that finds worth in cadets from diverse backgrounds, we risk returning to an obsessive focus on our distant past, believing it will produce tomorrow’s leaders of character. I believe their choice to subject cadets to a cycle of politization is misfeasance that endangers VMI and the future of our nation.”
We were further encouraged by the actions this week of a group of VMI supporters who are rising to the defense of Wins and seeking answers over the handling of the board of visitors vote to end the superintendent’s tenure.
“In Alma Mater’s Name,” a group of VMI alumni, cadets, faculty, parents and supporters, has written an open letter to the board in which they declare that the decision to dismiss Wins, “made in a hastily scheduled, closed-door session with less than four days notice thereby limiting the opportunity for public input, and without transparency or explanation, has sent shockwaves through the VMI community and raises serious concerns about the motives behind this abrupt and unjustifiable action.”
The letter, with 650 signatures as of Tuesday, states that “General Wins, a decorated VMI graduate and retired U.S. Army general, was appointed at a critical time in VMI’s history and has executed his duties with distinction, integrity and results. His leadership has been instrumental in executing VMI’s ‘One Corps, One VMI’ strategic plan, which has strengthened the Institute in multiple critical areas.”
The letter closes by making four demands of the board of visitors: “1. A full and immediate explanation: The VMI community deserves to know why General Wins — who has executed his duties with distinction — was dismissed. What specific concerns or criteria led to this decision? 2. Disclosure of the decision-making process: Who was involved in this decision, what criteria were used, and why was this process conducted in secrecy? 3. A clear plan for the future: What is the Board’s plan moving forward? How do you intend to sustain the positive momentum established under General Wins? 4. Commitment to transparency: We demand that all major decisions affecting the leadership and direction of VMI be made with proper consultation from alumni, faculty, and stakeholders—not in backroom meetings devoid of accountability.”
The authors of the letter ask the board to respond to these questions with answers by next Friday, March 21. We hope the board complies with this request. The VMI community deserves answers.
