The Virginia Military Institute has narrowed its search for a new superintendent to three finalists.
They are retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Bill Rapp, a 1984 West Point graduate; retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. David Furness, VMI class of 1987; and Brig. Gen. Dallas Clark, the current interim superintendent and a 1999 VMI graduate.
Clark, 48, is the youngest of the three and the only finalist currently serving at the Institute. Rapp and Furness bring extensive senior military leadership experience from outside VMI.
According to VMI’s Superintendent Search website, the candidates have been visiting post this week to meet with selected cadets, faculty, staff, and the board of visitors. Each is participating in open sessions for faculty and staff, but most of the corps remains on summer furlough and no alumni sessions are scheduled.
The board of visitors is holding special meetings yesterday and today, Wednesday, to interview the finalists. No public comment periods are currently planned, though feedback from community members written in advance is accepted.
VMI launched the search in March after announcing it would not renew the contract of Superintendent Maj. Gen. Cedric Wins ’85, who served through June 30. The search is being conducted by executive search firm Buffkin/ Baker, with the board expected to select the new superintendent following the finalist interviews.
