bricks and plaque on ground in front of barracks

Brick Program

Whether it’s falling in on the bricks for march down or counting them in the middle of the night on guard duty, bricks hold a unique station in VMI’s collective memory. Many hours of our past have been stamped into them. Understandably, a brick represents both one’s memory of the Institute and its memory of us. So it is appropriate to etch a tangible reminder of ourselves into the bricks for posterity.

Founded in 1998, the VMI Brick Program honors and memorializes those whose passion for VMI has generously manifested itself. After 25 years, the VMI Brick Program is ending June 30, 2023. Now is your opportunity to be recognized for your loyal support of the Institute and its Corps of Cadets.

Notice of Program Changes

Due to limited space available in the brick sidewalk in front of barracks, the ability to earn multiple brick credits has been suspended (to include all credits earned since July 1, 1998). From this point forward, all alumni can qualify for only one brick and only for themselves. Bricks already on order will be honored.

The allowance for placing bricks in memory of deceased alumni has also been suspended. Bricks for deceased individuals that have already been qualified for and on order will be honored.

The Friends and Family section of the bricks will no longer be placing new bricks. Due to limited space available, all remaining bricks are being reserved for VMI alumni joining their class sections. Friends and family bricks already qualified for and on order will be honored.

Frequently Asked Questions

The VMI Brick Program acknowledges those whose cumulative giving to any area of support since July 1, 1998, meets or surpasses $2,500.

Bricks are $2,500.

No. You can give in installments of your choosing.

You can give to any area of financial support.

Please contact Sydney Coffey at scoffey@vmiaa.org to check your progress toward getting a brick.

All bricks earned beyond June 30, 2021 are being held until the close of the program on June 30, 2023 for a bulk order. That order will be placed in late-2023 to early-2024.

Bricks are inscribed with your full legal name, generally with your middle name initialized. For uniformity purposes, all ranks, titles, prefixes, non-generational suffixes and class years beyond 1924 are omitted.

To an extent. If you go by your middle name and want to initialize your first name, that can be done upon request. Full legal names are used in lieu of shortened names and nicknames. To discuss changes to your brick inscription, please contact Sydney Coffey at scoffey@vmiaa.org.

Each class receives a brick with their year inscribed on it upon breaking out of the Ratline. Class year bricks are placed at intervals on the sidewalk in anticipation of using all bricks in that section for brother rats of that class.

Bricks are placed on a “first come, first served” basis. We cannot accommodate placing bricks next to roommates, teammates, etc. If you want to have your brick placed next to someone of your choosing, it is advised that you give during the same cycle to ensure your bricks are on the same order together.

Yes! There is a section of bricks designated for Friends and Family of the Institute. It is currently located under the clocktower of Third Barracks where Lejeune Hall is located.

The Friends and Family section of the bricks will no longer be placing new bricks. Due to limited space available, all remaining bricks are being reserved for VMI Alumni joining their class sections. Friends and family bricks already qualified for and on order will be honored.

Due to limited space available in the brick sidewalk in front of Barracks, the ability to earn multiple brick credits has been suspended (to include all credits earned since 1 July 1998). From this point forward, all alumni can qualify for only one brick and only for themselves. Bricks already on order will be honored.

Due to limited space available in the brick sidewalk in front of Barracks, the ability to earn multiple brick credits has been suspended (to include all credits earned since 1 July 1998). From this point forward, all alumni can qualify for only one brick and only for themselves. Bricks already on order will be honored.

No. For tax credit purposes and database recordkeeping, only one individual can be associated with a brick.

Recognizing that there is increased interest in the Brick Program in the wake of announcing its end, we are making a special exception for the parents of current cadets in the classes of ’21, ’22, ’23, and ’24.

From now until the end of the Brick Program on 30 June 2023, parents of cadets in these classes have the opportunity to give $2,500 and gift their cadet with a brick. Previous giving does not count towards the sum of $2,500 needed to qualify. The amount can be given in a lump sum or in increments over time as long as the full amount is given by the end date. It can also be designated to any area of support for VMI. At the start of Fiscal Year 2024 (July 2023), an order will be prepared with an install date later that fiscal year. No bricks will be ordered or installed prior to this time.

Additional Questions?

For any other questions not appearing in this FAQ or to discuss further, please contact Sydney Coffey:

  • Sydney Coffey

    Sydney Coffey Assistant Director of Annual Giving

    The assistant director of annual giving aids in providing planning and oversight for the annual giving solicitation calendar with a goal to maximize software and analytic tools to fundraise across multiple channels in support of VMI.