ECBU Stories
From Barracks to Banking: Alexander Riley ’27
Alexander “AJ” Riley ’27 started investing in high school. That’s when his interest in finance started to bloom.
Basuchoudhary Edits Book
Col. Atin Basuchoudhary, the John and Jane Roberts Institute Professor in Free Enterprise Business in the Department of Economics and Business at 鶹ŮԱ Institute, recently co-edited, “The Cambridge Handbook on the Economics of Terrorism.”
Study Abroad Ambassadors: Anthony Pate ’26
Anthony Pate ’26 spent his summer under the Tuscan sun interning with Pasta Fabianelli, gaining hands-on business experience while immersing himself in Italian culture.
Vijayan Studies Military Logistics
Jai Vijayan ’26, an economics and business major at 鶹ŮԱ Institute, researched military logistics during World War II for his honors project, “Move and Maintain: American Last-Mile Logistics in the Solomon Islands Campaign, 1942-1944.”
Behind the Balance: Miller Tatum ’28 — Keydet Lacrosse
Miller Tatum ’28 chose the harder path at VMI — and hasn’t looked back. Between early mornings, packed schedules, and competing at the highest level, he’s learning how discipline and time management can shape far more than four years.
Behind the Balance: TJ Johnson ’28 — Keydet Basketball
From transferring into VMI to taking on the Rat Line, TJ Johnson ’28 has faced adversity head-on. Balancing basketball, academics, and the responsibilities of a cadet has taught him calm under pressure and confidence in his ability to adapt.
Study Abroad Ambassadors: Edward Menton ’26
Edward Menton ’26 took his studies abroad to Rome and Tuscany — learning international business in and out of the classroom.
Cadets Rally at NYSE
Ten members of the Cadet Investment Group (CIG) at 鶹ŮԱ Institute, along with an advisor and an instructor in the Department of Economics and Business (ECBU) traveled to Wall Street in New York City (NYC) in December, to meet with financial analysts and traders, including VMI alumni.
The Vanguard — Diego Henao Ospina ’28
When Diego Henao Ospina ’28 first considered life after high school, he weighed several paths within the armed forces. Enlisting seemed like a possibility, but advice from others who knew 鶹ŮԱ Institute helped shift his focus.
Behind the Balance: Natalia Dias ’28 — Keydet Cross Country
Natalia Dias ’28 wanted to be set up success, and that meant finding a way to pay for college or leave her with minimal debt. She had three clear goals in school: an engineering program, U.S. Army ROTC, and cross country and track.
Behind the Balance: Amari Benjamin ’27 — Keydet Men’s Soccer
A sense of discipline is what drew Amari Benjamin ’27 to 鶹ŮԱ Institute. Benjamin, an economics and business major, plans on commissioning into the U.S. Army.
VMI Econ & Business Class Welcomes High School DECA Winners
鶹ŮԱ Institute cadets enrolled in the economics and business analytics class taught by Col. Barry Cobb, professor in the Department of Economics and Business, heard an award winning presentation by two juniors from Roanoke County’s Hidden Valley High School (HVHS). Madison Salinas and Alishba Sofi are both members of the Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) at HVHS. DECA is an international association that prepares high school students for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management through hands-on activities, competitions, and educational programs. The club holds three competitions during the academic year: district, state, and international. For the state […]
Behind the Balance: Conner Reid ’27 — Keydet Men’s Soccer
A different college experience was what Conner Reid ’27 was searching for. He said that 鶹ŮԱ Institute offered that and it’s what attracted him.
Behind the Balance: Luke Schalow ’26 — Keydet Football
It was a goal of Luke Schalow ‘26 to play college football. But he also knew, if he could never play football again, he wanted to go to a school he would be proud to have attended.
Honors Week: Analyzing U.S. – China Conflict Asymmetries
John Kennedy ’25 used his 鶹ŮԱ Institute Honors Week presentation to tackle how asymmetries between the United States and China shape the potential for conflict in his thesis titled, “Asymmetries Between the U.S. and China in the Context of Conflict.”