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Wins Inaugurated as VMI Superintendent

Sgt. Maj. William T. 鈥淭om鈥 Sowers passed the VMI regimental flag to Watjen, who then passed it to Wins.

Sgt. Maj. William T. 鈥淭om鈥 Sowers passes the VMI regimental flag to Thomas 鈥淭om鈥 Watjen 鈥76, president of the VMI Board of Visitors, who then passes it to Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins '85. 鈥擵MI Photo by Kelly Nye.

LEXINGTON, Va., Sept. 14, 2021鈥擮n a clear and pleasant afternoon, Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins 鈥85 was inaugurated as 麻豆女演员 Institute鈥檚 15th superintendent Friday, Sept. 10, and honored with a parade by the Corps of Cadets and a reception in Marshall Hall.

Wins came to VMI in November 2020 as interim superintendent following a 34-year career in the U.S. Army. In April 2021, he was named superintendent by a unanimous vote of the VMI Board of Visitors. Earlier this year, Wins released his 鈥淥ne Corps-One VMI: A Unifying Action Plan,鈥 which focuses on five goals: honor, diversity and inclusion, the VMI brand, competing and winning, and one VMI.

Friday鈥檚 parade and brief ceremony were marked by a mix of military traditions and those unique to VMI. Prior to the parade, faculty members donned their academic regalia and processed from Moody Hall to the Parade Ground, where they were seated.

Wins was honored with ruffles and flourishes and a 13-gun salute from VMI鈥檚 howitzers before trooping the line to inspect the Corps of Cadets with Thomas 鈥淭om鈥 Watjen 鈥76, president of the VMI Board of Visitors, and Cadet 1st Captain Kasey Meredith 鈥22.

After the colors were brought forward and the national anthem was played, Sgt. Maj. William T. 鈥淭om鈥 Sowers passed the VMI regimental flag to Watjen, who then passed it to Wins. Later, Wins received the key to the main door of the 1816 arsenal which preceded VMI, becoming the fourth VMI superintendent to take part in this unique tradition.

 鈥淰MI is strong and will remain forward focused,鈥 said Wins in brief remarks at the parade. 鈥淪ince our founding, we have weathered many storms, and they have helped us to improve. Our foundation is solid and not easily shaken鈥 VMI remains what it always has been: a disciplined community for learning and leadership development dedicated to the highest standards of integrity and personal honor.鈥

Special guests at Friday鈥檚 ceremony included Lt. Gen. John W. Knapp 鈥54, the Institute鈥檚 12th superintendent; Virginia Deputy Secretary of Education Fran Bradford; Virginia Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Janice Underwood; and state Sen. Thomas 鈥淭ommy鈥 Norment 鈥68. 

Other guests included Wins鈥 family, friends, and brother rats, along with some key individuals who held leadership positions at the Institute when Wins was a cadet. Among them were Col. Edward 鈥淓d鈥 Claiborn, who was head of the economics and business department; Col. Harold B. 鈥淏uzzy鈥 Snyder 鈥56, commandant; and Charlie Schmaus 鈥66 and Marty Fletcher, basketball coaches during the 1980s.

Also in attendance were current and former members of the VMI Board of Visitors, leadership from colleges and universities from across the commonwealth, and representatives of local and state government.

Left to right: Photo of MG Wins at podium, drone overview of parade, and howitzers.

Mary Price
Communications & Marketing
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE

VMI: Forging 21st Century Leaders