High school students attend ethical leadership sessions at the George C. Marshall International Center, which challenge them to wrestle with ethical dilemmas, examine historical case studies, and define their own leadership priorities.--Photo courtesy Marshall Center.
As VMI cadets go about their daily routines, they walk in the footsteps of one of the most consequential Americans of the 20th century. Gen. George Catlett Marshall, Class of 1901— soldier, statesman, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate—remains one of VMI’s most distinguished alumni, a leader whose character and judgment helped shape the modern world.
For alumni in the Washington, D.C., region, Marshall’s legacy is not confined to history. In Leesburg, Virginia, less than an hour from the U.S. Capitol, the George C. Marshall International Center carries his example forward by translating his ideals into dynamic ethical leadership programs for high school students.
Focused on its mission to bring “to life the timeless values of selfless service and unwavering integrity to develop visionary leaders worldwide,” the Marshall Center preserves the home of the distinguished leader and shares his legacy of principled leadership with a world that desperately needs it.
At the heart of the Marshall Center’s work is Dodona Manor, the Leesburg home where Marshall and his wife, Katherine, lived from 1941–59. Now a historic house museum, Dodona Manor is where Marshall prepared for some of the most consequential decisions in modern history: Building and commanding the Allied Forces that defeated fascism in World War II and conceiving the Marshall Plan, which helped rebuild a shattered Europe and demonstrated that American leadership could be defined by generosity as well as strength.
In 2025 alone, more than 2,300 people walked through its doors, attending tours and programs that bring context and humanity to the soldier-statesman whose leadership shaped the 20th century.
But the Marshall Center is far more than a museum. Recognizing that legacy must be lived, not merely preserved, it launched an ambitious ethical leadership program in 2020. What began as a historic home has become a classroom for Five Star Character: The George C. Marshall Ethical Leadership Conference. The Marshall Center offers the event to high school juniors and seniors throughout the school year for free, thanks to generous donor support.
Tom Greenspon ’85, Marshall Center chairman emeritus, was a driving force in the development of the program. “Marshall showed us that leadership is not about personal acclaim but about enduring responsibility to our shared values, to those we lead and to future generations. At Dodona Manor, we work every day to ensure his example guides leaders who will shape the next century.”
Grounded in Marshall’s three defining pillars—selfless service, unwavering integrity, and visionary leadership—the leadership program carries Marshall’s example into the 21st century. These are values VMI alumni know intimately, forged in the same institution that shaped Marshall over a century ago. For VMI alumni working in the military, government, law, business, or nonprofit sectors in the D.C. region, these aren’t abstract ideals; they’re the foundation of character-driven education and leadership.
In 2025, the Marshall Center conducted nine ELC sessions serving 152 high school students. These immersive experiences challenge young people to wrestle with ethical dilemmas, examine historical case studies, and define their own leadership priorities.
The Marshall Center is highly active in Loudoun County, with a healthy roster of programs and events. Each November, for example, the Marshall Center hosts one of the region’s largest Veterans Day observances at Dodona Manor, as well as several year-round speaker series featuring military, business, and civic leaders. In a region shaped by public service, these programs foster civil dialogue rooted in Marshall’s example.
The Marshall Center also recognizes contemporary leaders through its annual George C. Marshall Award in Ethical Leadership. In April 2026, the award was presented to retired U.S. Navy Capt. Scott Altman, veteran of four space shuttle missions, at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Virginia. Previous recipients include retired U.S. Army Col. Greg Gadson; Robert Gates, former Secretary of Defense; Jen Easterly, CISA director; and retired U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Rogers.
From Lexington to Leesburg, the flame of Marshall’s example continues to burn. VMI shaped Marshall’s intellectual and ethical excellence. As America enters its 250th year, the Marshall Center remains committed to that standard, ensuring that effective leadership anchored in solid character thrives for generations to come.
To learn more about visiting Dodona Manor and engaging with their programs, click here.
