Feb. 2, 2026 Editor, The News-Gazette: VMI is one of the two institutions located in our community that have weaved its essential fabric in terms of employment, history, tourism, sports, speakers, cultural events ….. I could go on. Think of Lexington without VMI.
Outside Lexington’s physical limits, a quick internet search of the phrase “VMI’s Notable Alumni” would prove how valuable the Institute has proven to our state and nation. I can think of no college of comparable size that can match the records of its distinguished graduates. Two current notables are the chairman of the military’s Joint Chiefs of Staff and our ambassador to the U.N.
I was therefore appalled by the nature of last week’s editorial, which not only failed to defend VMI from its critics in Richmond, but in a nuanced way seemed to join in their charges of its supposed “racist culture.”
This is a demonstrably false charge. In point of fact, its “ratline” and honor code instill in its cadets a credo of fairness, equality and moral integrity. I should also point out that the top leadership positions of corps commander, Honor Court and class presidencies have been, or are currently, filled by Black cadets, a statistic that I doubt could be equalled by any other Virginia college ... public or private. I have never encountered a large institution with less ethnic bias and partiality. Equality of opportunity is bedrock principle of VMI’s ethical code.
Shame on your newspaper for its spurious and fallacious insinuations. Your words have harmed VMI and, by logical extension, the welfare of our community. LARRY C. WIESE Rockbridge County
