Editor’s note: The following is the full text of the statement by former VMI board of visitors member Tom Watjen, which he entitled “A Perspective on Virginia Military Institute.”
With Virginia Military Institute so prominently in the news today, in many cases for all the wrong reasons, I feel compelled to share my perspective to those willing to take the time to understand the full story.
I am a 1976 graduate of VMI, and had served nearly 8 years on its board of visitors (BOV), including from 2021 to 2024 as its president. I chose to resign from the board rather than complete my final term, which would have expired June 30th of this year. Never in my many years as a senior corporate executive, nor my many years of corporate board experience, have I experienced what has unfolded at the school for which I am forever indebted. While I know “education is different” and “elections have consequences,” neither VMI nor its current superintendent deserved to be put in this position.
I’ll say as I have for some time that in my opinion Superintendent MG Wins has provided strong leadership during a very important and difficult time for the school, and the Institute was best served with him leading us forward. As evidence by the reaction of many, including VMI alumni and members of the legislature, I’m not alone in feeling this way. The current BOV must decide whether it can help (obviously without sharing personal information) those who feel disenfranchised by this decision … otherwise it’s quite possible that this issue will remain an overhang on the Institute.
I want to direct my comments here, though, to two other very troubling issues, one that directly affects VMI, and the other of which relates to VMI and all statesupported schools. Regarding VMI, I am very concerned with the direction of the discussion that has followed the BOV’s announcement regarding the superintendent’s contract. That decision has quickly rekindled an age-old debate about VMI’s future/ relevancy. Thoughts such as “defunding” the Institute or worse yet, closing the school, are as misplaced today as ever. Virginia Military Institute is an asset to the Commonwealth and the nation … that’s not just my opinion but look at how others independently view its position:
• Earned a five star (highest) rating from Money Magazine - the only military college to receive such recognition.
• Ranked as the #1 best value Liberal Arts College in Virginia - 77th out of 1,539 nationwide … 99% of graduates are employed or attending graduate school within five months of graduation.
• It’s young alumni had the second highest level of earnings in the state while its mid-career alumni had the thirrd highest level in the state.
While many (including myself) may be disappointed in the BOV’s decision, please do not extend that into a discussion of the school’s future. I can tell you from firsthand experience, the school has changed where it needed to and continues its long tradition of educating our countries leaders, and as such remains an asset to the Commonwealth.
I’d also like to make an appeal to those in a position to influence the selection process for future members of the board of visitors. The current appointment/ reappointment process has become highly politicized, which in my opinion has contributed to VMI’s current situation. The current administration has not disguised its goal of completely changing board membership over its four-year term. The result at VMI is a board that today in my opinion lacks the broad experience, continuity, and diversity of ideology, gender, race, political affiliation, etc., so important to making well-informed decisions. I also believe that the politicization of the process energizes those outside the board room to use VMI to promote personal and/or political agendas. My appeal to those in a position to influence future board appointments includes:
• Focus entirely on selecting/reappointing individuals who help the board fulfill its duty of assuring the school fulfills its mission and purpose. To do so requires understanding the unique needs of the Institute and objectively assessing the skills needed to help the board fulfill its duties … political affiliation should be irrelevant;
• Assure that board membership is based on seeking the most experienced, highest quality individuals possible … those with unquestioned military and/or senior level private sector experience. Historically VMI had several flag officer representatives and senior private sector executives … I don’t feel that’s any longer the case; and
• Focus more attention on the importance of maintaining board continuity and a collegial culture (which doesn’t affect ability to challenge) … heavy turnover of the board hinders the ability to create a well-informed board positioned to work together in making fact based decisions. Several members of the current VMI BOV have less than one year of experience on the board, yet participate in critical decisions.
In closing its been a honor to serve on the VMI board of visitors and its president for three years. While I am very disappointed with the board’s recent decision, I remain a strong supporter of VMI’s mission and purpose, and commitment to producing the leaders of the 21st century. I believe that the recent events at the Institute were avoidable and I hope that changes are made to prevent what’s happened at VMI (and possibly others in the state) from happening again.
