The annual VMI Foundation Scholarship Banquet welcomed 130 donors and donor representatives to this year’s event, which was held April 9, 2022.—Photo by Micalyn Miller, VMI Alumni Agencies.
On April 9, 2022, the VMI Foundation hosted its annual Foundation Scholarship Banquet, during which alumni and friends who have established scholarships that provide cadets with financial aid are recognized. This year, the Foundation welcomed 130 donors and donor representatives and, along with these alumni and friends, 70 of the hundreds of cadets their philanthropy supports.
“This annual event is a highlight of the year for me and my fellow trustees,” said Tom Zarges ’70, VMI Foundation president, “as I’m sure it is for the scholarship donors and recipients with us this evening.” Zarges went on to describe the power of the VMI education to transform young cadets into people who “offer honorable and principled leadership in whatever career they pursue and … provide selfless service to their country and communities. In short … [people] who make a difference.” He cited donors’ generosity as the reason why so many cadets can attend the Institute.
Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins ’85, superintendent, echoed Zarges’ appreciation of the benefactors, saying, “The assistance we are able to provide our cadets allows them to focus on achieving their goals and not worry about financial limitations that might prevent them from graduating. Your leadership and support in this effort is so critical.” He illustrated the profound impact by talking about two cadets who receive scholarship support, as well as his own VMI experience. “Endowed funds facilitated the opportunity for me to pursue my dreams both academically and athletically. There is no doubt this helped set up a 34-year career in the military. Make no mistake, many joined with and supported me along the way, including my parents, teammates, classmates, and fellow soldiers. However, me being here today started with that initial opportunity to attend VMI through generous financial support.”
Cadets Rachael A. Dickinson ’22 and William F. Duffy ’22 described their experiences during their time at VMI and how it prepared them to realize their goals as cadets and prepare for life after graduation. Their presentations and Wins’ remarks confirmed Zarges’ statement about donations to scholarships and scholarships: “[E]very penny is well spent.”
The communications officer supports the strategy for all communications, including web content, public relations messages and collateral pieces in order to articulate and promote the mission of the VMI Alumni Agencies and promote philanthropy among varied constituencies.
