Headlines
![Cadets patrol through the forest during field training exercises.](/media/content-assets/images/news/2016-17/FallFTXSaturday2018HLM019-1-400x266.jpg)
For commissioning cadets, the link between academic learning and the real world becomes closer than ever over the winter months, as many learn their branch assignments in the armed services.
![Cadets gather to discuss an ethical dilemma during the 2017 ethics bowl.](/media/content-assets/images/news/2016-17/EthicsBowl1-1-400x266.jpg)
The VMI Ethics Team won two rounds at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl on Nov. 18, defeating the University of North Georgia and Davidson College.
![The rugby team gathers for a photo on the pitch.](/media/content-assets/images/news/2016-17/RUGBY2017-1-400x266.jpg)
VMI's rugby team has qualified for the national semifinals for the first time in the program’s 50-year history, and will take on Norwich University in Greenville, South Carolina, Dec. 2.
![](/media/content-assets/images/news/2016-17/RatChallenge2018KN154-400x266.jpg)
Rat Challenge, an intensive 10-week program that pushes the limits of physicality and mental strength for new cadets, will culminate in Rat Olympics.
![Dr. Dee Mornah teaches a class on entrepreneurship in Scott Shipp Hall on Sept. 19.](/media/content-assets/images/news/2016-17/Entrepreneurship2018AMW011-1-400x266.jpg)
Dr. Dekuwmini "Dee" Mornah is planning to lead a group of cadets in Ghana next summer—and he's passionate about teaching entrepreneurship on post.
Nearly 300 VMI cadets, students from other institutions of higher education, and members of the public heard viewpoints from across the political spectrum this week.
![Judge Andrew Napolitano speaks to the crowd during in Gillis Theatre.](/media/content-assets/images/news/2016-17/LeadershipNapolitano2018HLM263-1-400x269.jpg)
Judge and Fox News judicial commentator Andrew Napolitano spoke Monday, Oct. 30, as part of the eighth annual leadership and ethics conference.
![](/media/content-assets/images/news/2016-17/ClearBags2018KN05-1-400x266.jpg)
Starting with VMI’s homecoming football game against Western Carolina, the Institute will be utilizing a new clear bag policy at Foster Stadium, similar to policies at other NCAA games nationwide.
![Dr. Klaus Schmider answers a question during his class on European land warfare in Scott Shipp Hall.](/media/content-assets/images/news/2016-17/KlausSchmider2018KN42-1-400x266.jpg)
Col. Geoff Jensen is teaching this fall at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, while Dr. Klaus Schmider, a member of the Sandhurst faculty, is teaching at VMI.
![Mu-Chi Lu ’19, Hanchu Zhang ’19, and Edward Olbrych ’18 chose between two prompts to solve mathematically during a 23-hour competition hosted by VMI Sept. 30 through Oct. 1.](/media/content-assets/images/news/2016-17/MathComp2018AMW019-1-400x266.jpg)
For the first time since the event was established three years ago, VMI took home the top spot at the Shenandoah Valley Math Modeling Challenge.