Published: Jan. 23, 2026
Dear Volunteer Leaders,
We at the VMI Alumni Agencies are concerned regarding the recent news of two bills testing the value of Virginia Military Institute to the Commonwealth. The viability of these bills is not yet clear. Please know the Institute is diligently working on this situation, as are we.
As volunteer leaders, we are sharing with you the information that we know to date. By the end of the day, we will know definitively about one of the bills that is being presented. At that time, we will send an email to all alumni.
For your awareness, House Bill 1377 calls for a study to determine whether VMI should continue to receive state funding. This is the bill that is scheduled for a hearing this afternoon in the Study Subcommittee of the House Rules Committee.
House Bill 1374 calls for the dissolution of the VMI Board of Visitors and places governance of VMI under the Virginia State University Board of Visitors. The bill has been assigned to the House Education Committee and is not yet scheduled for a hearing.
As Lt. Gen. David Furness ’87, VMI’s 16th superintendent, recently reported upon his arrival, he finds VMI to be in a strong position, ready to meet the challenge of preparing leaders for the 21st century and beyond.
This morning, he approved the following statement:
During my first 100 days at the Institute, I have invested significant time at the capitol in Richmond; engaged deeply with the Corps of Cadets, faculty, and staff; and connected with alumni at numerous gatherings—listening, learning, and setting bold goals for the future. We stand in a strong position, and we see tremendous opportunities for growth and achievement. And we are ready.
Of course, the recent news of challenges to our worth are reason for deep concern, but we don’t shrink from or flinch in the face of challenges—we never have. We know exactly who we are and what we stand for: Honor, integrity, and a life of responsibility in service to something greater than ourselves. Our cadets and alumni carry powerful stories of transformation and accomplishment. These stories inspire and define us; they are within each of us. We need to share them boldly.
Let us use these bills as an opportunity to convey the extraordinary outcomes of a VMI education and the unmatched value of a 4-year experience unlike any other.
We have addressed some misinformation in the news stories and requested corrections; we have pulled together examples of our progress in building a better, stronger VMI; and we are ramping up the communication of our achievements and outcomes.
I simply could not be prouder of our cadets and how they strive to be better in every way each day. They do not shrink from what is asked of them at all levels of academic, athletic, military, and barracks life. They rise to every challenge. Our time-tested formula for developing leaders is thriving, as proven by the exceptional outcomes of our graduates.
We are in the early stages of the Virginia legislative session and know the delegates have planned a robust agenda. We are actively working with our elected officials on matters pertaining to VMI and look forward to demonstrating the value of VMI to our graduates and the Commonwealth.
Many of you have asked about reaching out to members of the House of Delegates. If you would like to respectfully reach out to a delegate to share your VMI experiences, you can find names and contact information here. It is our plan and expectation to provide positive, inspiring support for the VMI experience through our own stories.
For more than 186 years, VMI continues to be dedicated to graduating leaders of character for all walks of life. Each year, a new cohort is added to the Commonwealth and beyond, inspiring intentional lives of integrity and honor.
Very Respectfully,
Lt. Gen. David Furness ’87
Superintendent
Virginia Military Institute
In recent years, the VMI Alumni Agencies has taken up the challenge of telling the good news story of VMI. Most recently, we have blanketed the capital with top articles of our alumni and cadets, telling the story of what makes VMI an extraordinary experience—one that pays out tenfold—and the evidence of which is the reason our alumni are so passionate about their alma mater.
VMI is a game changer. We must continue our efforts to share the difference it made in our lives. We will keep you updated as we move forward.
David Prasnicki
Chief Executive Officer
VMI Alumni Agencies
