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Normant Sponsored ‘Countless’ Budget Amendments For School
Virginia Military Institute honored former Virginia Sen. Thomas K. Norment Jr. ’68 with a parade on post April 26.
The recognition was for 30 years of service to the commonwealth of Virginia. Norment took review of the corps of cadets, along with Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins ’85, superintendent of VMI.
Following the parade, a reception was held in Preston Library where many of Norment’s brother rats, friends, and family members were in attendance to show their support.
Wins read and presented Norment with a resolution from the board of visitors of VMI in which they expressed their deepest gratitude to him.
Norment accepted the recognition humbly and appreciatively, stating, “This is an extraordinary thing. I am thankful to have been a vessel moving through the legislative process. We’ve done a lot, but I didn’t do it alone. This legacy belongs to the Class of 1968.”
He encouraged his fellow alumni to continue supporting Wins. “He has served with dignity. I’m incredibly proud of him and I will keep on helping him however I can.”
Norment graduated from VMI with a degree in English. He attended law school at the College of William and Mary, graduating with a Juris Doctorate in 1973. Following service in local government on the James City County Board of Supervisors, Norment began his service in the Virginia Senate in 1992.
During his tenure, Norment served as both the majority leader and minority leader, cochair of the Senate Finance Committee and chair of its Education and Capital Outlay subcommittees, and chair of the Senate Courts of Justice Committee.
A stalwart advocate for higher education in the General Assembly, Norment patroned countless budget amendments on behalf of VMI, to include additional faculty and staff positions, compensation increases, academic program enhancements, academic support positions, and additional funding for the unique military programs.
While Norment was in office, VMI embarked upon a significant capital improvement plan funded largely with state funds appropriated by the General Assembly. This capital plan included such notable projects as Third Barracks construction/Old and New Barracks renovation, the Military and Leadership Field Training Grounds construction, Maury-Brooke Hall renovation, Scott Shipp Hall renovation, and construction of the Corps Physical Training Facility and Aquatic Center.
Notable recognition from VMI includes being honored with the VMI Foundation’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award, in 2007 for his dedication to the Institute and its mission. He was also the graduation speaker for the class of 2012.
Norment welcomed cadets visiting the General Assembly at every opportunity and encouraged them in their cadetship as they work toward a commitment to commissioning and public service. It was a highlight for cadets to have an opportunity to interact with him and hear his frank and practical advice and perspectives.
The board of visitors further recognized Norment’s service to the Institute by naming a meeting room as the Thomas K. Norment ’68 Room within the planned Moody Hall renovation.
