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Virginia Military Institute Superintendent Maj. Gen. Cedric Wins, whose contract was not renewed in a 10-6 vote by members of the Institute’s board of visitor last Friday, Feb. 28, put out a statement this afternoon, Thursday, March 6, in which he defends his tenure and criticizes the board’s action as being based on “bias, emotion and ideology, rather than sound judgment.”
The “cycle of politization” that the action subjects cadets to, said Wins, amounts to “malfeasance that endangers VMI and the future of our nation.”
Here is the full statement issued by Wins:
I am extremely proud of what my team accomplished over the past four years. We worked tirelessly to restore VMI's reputation as one of the nation's top-rated institutions. As a result, I am disappointed by the Board of Visitors' decision not to renew my contract as superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute. This decision was not based on my performance or the tangible progress we achieved. It is the result of a partisan choice that abandons the values of honor, integrity, and excellence upon which VMI was built.
When I assumed this role amid a worldwide pandemic, intense public scrutiny, and an enrollment crisis, I pledged to protect and modernize VMI while preserving its unique method of education and right traditions. We achieved extraordinary results over the past four years:
• Securing and Modernizing Resources: We increased state funding by 50% and secured over $321 million to upgrade our facilities.
• Strengthening Academic and Financial Foundations: We reversed a 10-year decline in admissions, boosted Pell Grant enrollment with a $3.8 million grant, and maintained budget surpluses when most people expected deficits.
• Taking Care of People: We fought for the resources to implement salary adjustments that addressed compression and competitive factors for the VMI workforce.
• Enhancing Cadet Life and Leadership: We launched the Call to Duty scholarship program-awarding $2.4 million to 172 cadets-and reinforced our class and regimental systems, including the historic appointment of our first female regimental commander in 25 years.
• Upholding Tradition with Modern Excellence: Under my leadership, VMI earned a five-star ranking from Money Magazine-the only senior military college to receive this honor-and our athletic teams achieved milestones, including our first conference championship since 1977.
Leaders define the culture of organizations, and bear the responsibility to protect it, not the other way around. What I can attest to since my arrival is I placed the right emphasis on repairing the culture and climate and charting a way forward for VMI. I prioritized cadets by taking care to provide the best for their safety, education, and well-being. There are a tremendous number of faculty, staff and alumni who partnered with me in their support of the Institute. They know the worth of VMI and support what it does for these young cadets, regardless of what they look like, where they come from, and how they identify themselves. Unfortunately, the winds of resistance by the few have drowned out those who desire to bring the Institute into the 21st century while maintaining the right traditions.
My tenure will end 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.
For now, I remain - not simply the superintendent whose contract will expire - but a leader steering VMI through these tough times and building a solid foundation for future excellence. I remain committed to serving this Institute and guiding its cadets until my tenure ends. I urge the Corps of Cadets, alumni, faculty, and all supporters who know its value to join me in safeguarding VMI. We must proactively commit to giving valor and right action precedence over ideology and political expediency. Cadets and alumni should embody our timeless values of honor, integrity, and excellence regardless of their appearance, origin, and identity. Our future depends on it.
Thank you to those who supported me these past four and a half years. It has been a privilege to set the direction of the Institute and watch the growth and development of our fine young leaders. With few exceptions, I have great admiration for how the Corps of Cadets demonstrates character and the bonds of brother and sisterhood each day. Leading this esteemed institution has been a highlight of my career.
Rah Virginia Mil! Rah '85!
Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins '85
U.S. Army (retired)
15th Superintendent
Virginia Military Institute
March 6, 2025
