Lois Ford-Bouis received the Spirit of VMI Award, the Keydet Club’s highest honor, during halftime of the VMI versus Western Carolina football game Nov. 2, 2019.
During the Western Carolina football game Nov. 2, the Keydet Club was pleased to recognize one of VMI’s most generous and engaged members with its highest honor, as Ms. Lois Fors-Bouis was presented with the Keydet Club’s Spirit of VMI Award.
Ford-Bouis has been consistent and visible in her support for VMI’s cadet-athletes and coaches for nearly 15 years as a member of the Keydet Club, where she served two terms on the board of governors.
Ford-Bouis is a generous leadership member of the Keydet Club as an annual scholarship donor. In 2004, she was instrumental in establishing the 1964 Basketball Team Scholarship, a scholarship that honors the Southern Conference Championship team. This scholarship is also a tribute to her late brother, Bobby Watson ’64, co-captain of that team which went to the NCAA Tournament. Watson was the head basketball coach of the University of Evansville Purple Aces when the team was tragically killed in a plane crash in 1977. Ford-Bouis continues to cherish the memory of her brother through her support to VMI.
Her love for cadet-athletes does not stop with her financial support. Lois has opened up her home and her heart to countless cadets since moving to Lexington in 2005. She currently serves as an academic advisor for the athletic development office.
Through her love and generosity, Ford-Bouis has and continues to leave an everlasting impact on the spirit of VMI.
The VMI Keydet Club chief operating officer provides oversight of programs and staff to ensure they meet the goals and objectives of the club’s strategic plan, supports the president of the VMI Keydet Club Board of Governors and is responsible for the formulation of the policies, goals, objectives, and procedures of the Keydet Club. The COO works closely with VMI leadership, VMI athletics, the CFO and across the VMI Alumni Agencies to develop and execute programs consistent with the missions of VMI and the Keydet Club. The COO reports to the VMI Alumni Agencies CEO.
Additionally, as the chief development officer, he is responsible for the comprehensive planning, implementation, management, and oversight of all fundraising.
