Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Lawrence Havird ’90 has been named commandant for Virginia Military Institute, assuming the position Aug. 5.   

Originally from Portsmouth, Virginia, Havird graduated from VMI with a degree in history. He played baseball for the Keydets all four years of his cadetship. He commissioned into the Air Force, where he served for 32 years before retiring last year.

The first 21 years of his military career, Havird held various officer leadership assignments at multiple locations, leading aircraft and munitions maintenance units and guided mission operations. His contingency operational deployments were Kyrgyzstan, Diego Garcia, and Qatar.

In 2012, he served as maintenance group commander in the United Arab Emirates, and was responsible for 1,800 personnel supporting contingency combat, air refueling, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

Havird returned stateside to Clinton, Maryland, in 2013, where he supported personnel providing executive-class air transport for the office of the vice president, first lady, secretary of defense, secretary of state, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and other executive branch cabinet members for three years.

He was then transferred to Layton, Utah, where he served as air logistics complex vice commander, overseeing an 8,500-person aircraft and missile major repair and overhaul facility. In addition, he managed maintenance operations in seven groups and 30 squadrons across the U.S. and overseas.

In 2018, he moved to Edwards, California, where he was maintenance group commander, responsible for 1,600 personnel supporting Air Force developmental aircraft and munitions test programs and the Air Force Test Pilot School. Two years later, he became detachment commander of The Pennsylvania State University Air Force ROTC unit, overseeing the recruiting, training, and commissioning of Air Force officers. Following his retirement from the Air Force in 2023, he accepted a position as academic adviser for the College of Health and Human Development at The Pennsylvania State University.

Havird holds two master’s degrees. One in military studies from the American Military University in Charles Town, West Virginia, and the second in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.

“The chance to serve in this capacity at my alma mater is both humbling and a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Havird. “I wish to thank Major General Wins for his support and confidence in extending the chance to continue service in the development of future leaders. The lessons and mentorship I received as a cadet at VMI were foundational to a successful Air Force career. My goal as commandant is to inspire, challenge, and guide cadets in becoming the confident, decisive, and innovative leaders our nation will need to navigate future challenges.”   

“I am excited to welcome Colonel Lawrence Havird back to post as VMI’s 59^th commandant. I’m confident that he will hit the ground running, fully prepared to greet the matriculants in just a few weeks,” said Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins ’85, VMI superintendent. “He brings a wealth of experience from his time at VMI and in the U.S. Air Force that will allow him to lead the Corps effectively as a coach, teacher, and mentor. His experiences make him ideally suited to produce young men and women of character, fully prepared to step into any leadership role our nation calls for.” 

Havird will be joined on post by his spouse, Jennifer, and their two daughters.

A nationwide search was conducted to identify the new commandant, with input from numerous departments on post, as well as cadets, alumni, and the VMI Board of Visitors.