Tonnu ’26: “The Best Things I Could Ask For”

A cadet’s cover might hold any manner of personal items, but the worn slip of paper in the cover of Cadet Valerie Tonnu ’26 is a little more surprising: An announcement naming her as a VMI scholarship recipient.

The scholarship represents even more than a financial gift supporting her cadetship. For Tonnu, a highly motivated civil engineering major and women’s swimming and diving team captain, receiving the Openshaw Family Scholarship, established by James A. Openshaw Jr. ’55, is a validating reminder that an alum believes in her and confirms she is excelling in the areas that matter to her—in academics, character, and the military.

“I carry [the scholarship announcement] with me because it’s a reminder of why I want to be a civil engineer—because I want to help people,” said Tonnu. “But also, having people tell me I am doing well—academically, mentally, militarily—is one of the best things I could ask for because they see something in me and they see potential.”

This desire to excel as a student, leader, and future service member led Tonnu to pursue a senior military college, with VMI among her top options. But the cost of tuition was a major concern for her and her family. A combination of scholarships—including a U.S. Air Force scholarship, the Keydet Club Board of Governors Athletic Scholarship, and, finally, the Openshaw Family Scholarship—enabled her to attend VMI without the financial stress and strain. The Openshaw scholarship, in particular, which recognizes achievements from a rising 2nd class civil engineering cadet, covered her remaining tuition gap. “I’ve been so, so thankful for it,” said Tonnu, who looks forward to one day being able to give the same support to a future cadet.

At VMI, Tonnu has found her place and her people. Initially, however, she was considering transferring to the U.S. Air Force Academy but chose VMI after the transformative experience of Matriculation Week. “I got through Matriculation Week, I got to know all of my BRs and my roommates and everyone in my company, and I did not want to leave. I just knew this place was going to be for me, and everyone aligned with me,” Tonnu reflected. “Being here—being with the same type of driven people who are academically driven, driven through leadership, and athletics, and military—that’s the stuff that aligns with me, and I always want to be around people that I want to be.”

Cadetship, especially as a cadet-athlete, has not been without challenge, though. Tonnu recalls a time after Breakout when the structure of being a rat had disappeared, and she found her grades dipped with her newfound freedom. By the end of 4th Class year, she knew she needed to recalibrate, and with the help of faculty support, she was back on track. She says the civil engineering program faculty have been integral to her success and have supported her, understanding the demands of her 5:45 a.m.–11 p.m. schedule as a cadet-athlete.

To succeed amid the demands of athletics, Tonnu said she and her teammates often remind each other to prioritize academic excellence and military leadership. “My friends and I, we try to prioritize being a cadet and an athlete, but we have to remember when we matriculated here, we matriculated as rats, we are here to be cadets first—so making sure we prioritize the military and academic excellence along with athletics is always something we are looking to do within our team,” said Tonnu.

In balancing all these demands, Tonnu also feels very supported by her coaching staff. Scott Thacker, VMI swimming and diving coach, has been a major support for her. “He’s been the most supportive person—one of the most supportive coaches I’ve ever had, and he’s really pushed me through,” she reflected.

Tonnu is also the American Society of Civil Engineers VMI chapter president and the cadet government vice president of education. Upon graduation in May, Tonnu will commission into the U.S. Air Force as a civil engineer officer. Reflecting on the lessons of cadetship and its challenges, Tonnu said the Institute has taught her something more powerful than motivation when life is challenging: Self-discipline.

“It’s not about motivation; sometimes you are not going to be motivated all the time, but it’s about having the self-discipline to choose to be here every day and choose to go through the routine that you have to do,” said Tonnu. “That’s made me into the cadet I am and the person I am today. I know I have to push myself and I have to discipline myself and delay instant gratification because I know in the long run there is something better for me.”