2024 Institute Society Dinner: Record Crowd, Dinner, and Dancing

The dance floor was filled until the final song with alumni and donors of all ages enjoying their time, reconnecting, meeting new friends, and celebrating 50 years of the powerhouse of philanthropy at VMI: The Institute Society.

More than 650 guests—a record turnout—came to post in honor of the legacy of philanthropic leadership by the Institute Society’s members built up over five decades and the indelible mark this generosity has had on the Institute and generations of cadets.

The VMI Alumni Agencies staff crafted a rousing evening of camaraderie, celebration, and fun, recognizing past and current members of the Institute Society—the latter who gave $20.8 million in Fiscal Year 2024—and ended with a pledge by younger alumni to continue this astounding legacy of generosity.

From its very beginning, the event was suffused with excitement at the celebration of a milestone in the history of philanthropy at VMI, as well as the fact that the Institute was hosting an extremely special guest: Gary Sinise, actor, philanthropist, and staunch supporter of veterans, active-duty military, and first responders.

Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins ’85, superintendent, got the evening rolling with his warm thanks to the donors for their generosity and their consequent impact on the Institute. “For five decades now, your generosity has provided opportunities and resources to help our current and future cadets succeed. While we certainly appreciate your financial contributions, we are also grateful for the time and effort you put into our institution. From mentoring our cadets to supporting them at sporting events and hiring them upon graduation, your help is very important.”

He also laid out the goals of the Institute’s exciting new strategic plan, Forging 21st Century Leaders, which he described as “a bold vision that will guide VMI over the next decade and beyond. It is not just a roadmap—it’s a declaration of who we are, what we stand for, and the legacy we intend to leave behind. Our vision is for VMI to firmly secure its place as a premier college with a global reputation for academic excellence, a renowned leadership training model, and a shining example of what it means to lead with honor, courage, and selfless service.

“Under the new strategic plan,” he later stated, “VMI will continue our progress to secure our place as the premier small college in the nation, unequaled in producing educated, honorable, and adaptable citizen-soldiers and leaders. … We share a commitment to excellence, service, and leadership. And, together, we will transform that vision into reality.”

After dinner, Ernesto V. Sampson ’98, VMI Foundation president, took to the podium. He first thanked the society’s members, stating, “It is indeed wonderful to have you here for the 50th anniversary celebration of the Institute Society. My colleagues on the Board of Trustees and I recognize the philanthropic footprint of the 900 members of the Institute Society everywhere here at VMI. … As has been the case for the past five decades … I fully expect we will once again be vital to the success of the new strategic plan.”

Sampson then introduced Sinise, saying, “For over 40 years, Gary Sinise has stood as an advocate on behalf of American service members. In 2011 … he established the Gary Sinise Foundation with the mission to serve and honor America’s defenders, veterans, first responders, families of the fallen, and those in need. The foundation remains committed to finding new and exciting ways to give back to those who sacrifice for our nation and encouraging others to do the same. This is the personal quest of Mister Sinise and what he hopes will endure as a legacy of service to others.”

In opening his presentation, Sinise said, “It’s an honor to be celebrating with you all 50 years of your support for the cadets at VMI. Fifty years—that’s amazing. After being invited to speak, I came to learn that philanthropy is at the heart of the VMI family’s commitment to this exceptional Institute. VMI’s position of strength in our nation’s higher education landscape is only made possible by the dedicated support of thousands of alumni and friends over the past half-century—such a passionate and loyal group of supporters. Your giving has experienced an exponential rise, going from $155,000.74 [in 1974] to more than $20.8 million today. That’s an amazing achievement. … It’s a fantastic fact that speaks volumes about the vital importance of VMI and the fact that an Institute preparing young men and women for both military and civilian leadership is so deeply valued by so many.”

Sinise went on to describe how his appearance in the 1994 film “Forrest Gump” as U.S. Army Lt. Dan Taylor—better known as Lt. Dan—made him a well-known public figure and a popular film and television actor. Based on that, he has been able to pursue what some might term a very successful parallel career in service to first responders, active-duty military, veterans, and their families. He began his service, however, 10 years before the release of “Forrest Gump,” when the renowned, Chicago-based Steppenwolf Theatre he co-founded “began providing free meals and performances for local veterans,” and he became involved in the building of a veterans’ memorial in Illinois.

He recounted his experience at the 1994 convention of the Disabled Veterans of America, at which he received the organization’s highest honor for “an honest portrayal of a catastrophically injured veteran who served his country. To these veterans, Lieutenant Dan had become a symbol within our country’s collective awareness of all our injured veterans, and especially the Vietnam veteran.” He has remained involved with the organization ever since.

It was, however, the events of Sept. 11, 2001, he said, that began “a journey from an early singular focus on my acting career, building a theater company, a pursuit of film and television work, to a broader mission of service to others, focusing on supporting the men and women and families who defend our country and protect our cities.

“As my heart was broken after that terrible day, as fear crept in as to what our future was going to be for our country, I needed to do something to help assuage that fear, to help heal that broken heart,” he continued. “As our men and women in uniform stood to answer the call to preserve our country and destroy our nation’s enemies, my heart went with them, and I was called to a new action to support them in any way I could, to make sure our warriors that were responding to the attacks on 9/11 would never be forgotten or neglected, as our Vietnam veterans had been.”

Sinise then described the many things he had done personally, such as 100 USO tours, as well as through the Gary Sinise Foundation and the well-known Lieutenant Dan Band. The former has done many great things, including the construction of 94 “specially adapted smart technology” [houses] for our wounded.” As to the latter, since 2003, it has performed 570 shows for military personnel here at home and overseas.

Sinise closed by saying, “Your exceptional and heartfelt generosity is a testament to your belief that duty, honor, and country still matter. Leadership matters; military service matters. The educated and principled young men and women VMI produces matters. Just as importantly, you all matter. The alumni and friends of VMI matter because you are the generative force that propels this incredible national treasure … toward its 200th birthday, now just 15 years away. It is a great privilege to be able to speak to you tonight.”

W. Lloyd Taliaferro ’95, VMI Foundation vice president of fundraising, first thanked Sinise for his remarks. He noted, “Speaking as a veteran in a room full of veterans, your efforts calling attention to our nation’s heroes is inspiring and deeply appreciated by each of us.”

Taliaferro then turned to the Institute’s mission. “We are constantly reminded of the urgent need for future heroes—strong, inspiring leaders in a chaotic world,” he said. “VMI produces precisely the courageous military and civilian leaders that our world urgently needs.

“Thank you to all who are here for your continued generosity for current and future cadets. The future is bright at VMI, and as we honor the legacy of those who led the past 50 years and as the Institute launches its next strategic plan, I will commit our generation for the next 50 years to showing up, being present, and honoring the lives well lived of those who have gone before us and the cadets of the future. We will do this through a wildly enthusiastic plan for philanthropy … [and so] changing lives just as the lives of many of us in this room have been transformed.”

Attendees were then invited to an after party in a tent outside Marshall Hall, where the excitement generated by the dinner and the speakers was sustained. Alumni of all ages—and not a few cadets—filled the dance floor, and the guests continued the conversations started in Moody Hall and Marshall Hall.

Over the past week, comments about the event have been 100% positive, with everyone expressing thanks for such a sincere and stellar recognition of the generations of donors who have been leaders in supporting VMI, as well as for the opportunities to interact with so many splendid cadets. They also said they departed renewed and reinvigorated in their shared commitments to ensuring an ever-brighter future for VMI and its cadets.

At the end of the evening, attendees were already talking about next year’s event, to be held Nov. 7, 2025. So, mark your calendar—and, if you have not already done so, step up to a leadership role in supporting VMI. Click here to find out how.

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