Focus on Faculty

Professor Ryan Holston speaking at Roanoke College

VMI Professor Publishes First Book

Col. Ryan R. Holston, professor in the Department of International Studies and Political Science and the Jonathan M. Daniels ’61 Chair for Academic Excellence recently published his first book titled, “Tradition and the Deliberative Turn: A Critique of Contemporary Democratic Theory.”

VMI Welcomes Alumna as New Physician

Virginia Military Institute welcomes Dr. Melissa S. Krawiec (née Williams) ’01, as the new Institute physician, 25 years after she signed the matriculation book August 19, 1997, as a member of the first coeducational class.

Chaplain Phillips speaks at podium at VMI, a military college in Virginia.

Chaplain Phillips Retires

Col. Robert “Bob” Phillips ’87, chaplain at Virginia Military Institute, is retiring after seven years of encouraging the development of interpersonal faith, and providing spiritual and emotional guidance to the Corps of Cadets.

Post Briefs with Marshall statue

Post Briefs, May 2023

Members of the VMI community continue to expand academic opportunity and impact across various fields of study. Recent activities include honor society inductions, ethics bowl competition, and collaborations in cyber research.

Arndt Travels to South Africa to Discuss Book

Arndt Travels to South Africa to Discuss Book

Lt. Col. Jochen S. Arndt’s book, published both in South Africa and the United States, explains how Zulu and Xhosa emerged as written languages and markers of Zulu and Xhosa identities.

Belva Drain and her American Paint horse “Peepers.”

VMI Employee Retires After 43 Years

It takes a dedicated team to keep the uniforms worn by the Corps of Cadets at Virginia Military Institute impeccably clean, crisp, and worthy of the respect they deserve. Belva Drain, a vital member of the laundry services team, has retired after 43 years. 

3D model of a COX-2 protein molecule using ChimeraX

Computer Software Brings Wonderment and Support to Chemistry

Visualizing three-dimensional (3D) molecules on a two-dimensional piece of paper can be a struggle for any chemistry student. Lt. Col. Dan Harrison ’05, associate professor in the Department of Chemistry, used his experience with research software to find a tool to address this challenge.

With Good Reason segment with Col. Barry Cobb and Col. Jeff Smith April 29 - May 5

Cobb and Smith Part of With Good Reason Segment

Col. Barry Cobb and Col. Jeff Smith, professors in the Department of Economics and Business at Virginia Military Institute, will discuss ways to pay for retirement and the best age to start drawing Social Security on the public radio program, With Good Reason, April 29 – May 5.

Cobb and Smith Part of With Good Reason Segment

Col. Barry Cobb and Col. Jeff Smith, professors in the Department of Economics and Business at Virginia Military Institute, will discuss ways to pay for retirement and the best age to start drawing Social Security on the public radio program, With Good Reason, April 29 – May 5.

Lt. Col. Brown on With Good Reason April 8 - 14

Brown Part of With Good Reason Segment

Lt. Col. Julie Phillips Brown, associate professor in the at Virginia Military Institute, will discuss themes of biology, mythology, and motherhood in her poetry on the public radio program, With Good Reason, April 8 - 14.

VMI: Forging 21st Century Leaders