In late 2025, construction will begin for VMI’s new center for advancement, a three-level, 50,000-square-foot facility serving the entire Institute family and providing top-flight facilities for a wide variety of events.
In early 2028, VMI’s new center for advancement is tentatively scheduled to open its doors to the VMI family and will include an alumni center. Located between the corner of VMI Parade and Letcher Avenue and Letcher Avenue and Maiden Lane, it will be a three-level, 50,000-square-foot facility serving the entire Institute family and providing top-flight facilities for a wide variety of events.
The idea for the new building was hatched several years ago, as it became evident that a growing alumni base and the increasing demands to support on-post activities meant the current infrastructure needed a major upgrade. The Agencies and VMI considered various options, including a renovation of Moody Hall, but none of them offered a workable solution. The decision, therefore, was made to replace the current structures with a single structure to support the important missions of both the Institute and the VMI Alumni Agencies: Academics, engagement, and philanthropy.
The “footprint” of the building requires the demolition of Moody Hall and the two other buildings between Maiden Lane and VMI Parade—the Cabell House, currently used by the athletic director, and Neikirk Hall, which has housed the VMI Alumni Agencies, VMI Foundation, and VMI Keydet Club offices since the late 1990s.
While the disappearance of familiar buildings can be bittersweet, it has frequently happened on post. “One example of ‘lost’ VMI architecture would be the first purpose-built academic building at VMI—F.H. Smith Hall, which stood at the site of the current northwest wall of Old Barracks,” said Col. Keith Gibson ’77, VMI Museum System executive director. “Built in 1900, it was very convenient for cadet access for classes, but it obstructed the original Alexander J. Davis plan to complete the quadrangle of Old Barracks. With the completion of Smith-Shipp Hall (now known as Scott Shipp Hall) in 1918, F.H. Smith Hall was destined for the wrecking ball, which came about in 1924.”
Under the current schedule, which is subject to change, the Agencies’ staff members and equipment will move out next summer. Construction on the new facility will begin in winter 2025 and take approximately 2 years to complete. After VMI secures the necessary occupancy permit, those working in the new facility will begin to move into their offices. If all goes well, the process will be completed in spring 2028 at a projected cost of approximately $68 million.
The new building will be highly capable—and multipurpose. Brig. Gen. Dallas Clark ’99, deputy superintendent for finance and support, who is responsible for the project’s planning and execution, said, “The center will be particularly special, as it is meant to serve the entire VMI family. Cadets and faculty will use it for classrooms and symposia, and the VMI Alumni Agencies will utilize it to host events, reunions, chapter meetings, scholarship banquets, and board meetings. The Institute will use it for meetings, VIP visits, and conferences, and the community will have opportunities to host milestone events. Every aspect of the VMI experience will be positively affected by this building, and everyone in the VMI family will benefit from it.”
Besides the space necessary for the VMI Alumni Agencies’ operations, it will have the facilities to host social functions, including a kitchen, two bar areas, an executive dining and conference room, and an 8,927-square-foot ballroom/conference room. The design also includes activities rooms, classrooms, additional conference rooms, and training and seminar rooms, as well as a guest room for visiting VIPs.
“We are eager to get into this beautiful new building, help our Institute partners bring it to life, and provide the very best service to the VMI family.”
David L. Prasnicki, VMI Alumni Agencies chief executive officer
Among Moody Hall’s most popular features are two verandas—one on the top level and one on the main level that opens onto a terrace—providing views of the Parade Ground, Academic Row, and Officers Row. Those who have enjoyed those views will be glad to know the new building will have them, as well. “Both verandas will offer a panoramic view of post, which will provide an amazing background for a full range of memorable events to include reunions, special dinners, casual functions, and parade watching,” said David L. Prasnicki, VMI Alumni Agencies chief executive officer.
The architecture of the new building will delight those who appreciate the Institute’s distinct style, according to Gibson. “As with all new construction at VMI, a great effort has been made in the design of the [new building] to use the Gothic Revival style introduced here by Alexander Davis in 1850,” he said. “The style’s cohesiveness reflects the focus and singleness of purpose of the Institute and is one of its most striking features. Certain signature elements from Moody Hall—such as the fireplace in the library—will find a new home in the center. In addition, elements of the exterior will be very familiar. We’ve done our best to replicate Moody Hall’s Parade Ground façade. The new building also echoes elements, for example, the arches and parapet crenulation, of the barracks and other Parade Ground structures.”
One eye-catching feature of the new building won’t be visible from the street. Part of the construction process will bring the “hill” upon which the three current buildings stand level with the ground between Marshall Hall and Smith Hall and the Marshall Foundation. Doors will open upon a large open terrace overlooking this space. When completed, the future Peay Hall will be opposite this side of the new multipurpose facility, making both buildings the “bookends” of the area.
A construction project of this size and scope will offer many opportunities for the recognition of people and classes. For example, classes could commemorate a brother rat’s service to the class or the Institute by naming a conference room in their honor, or one class could gain imperishable glory by sponsoring one of the bar areas. The VMI Alumni Agencies will announce recognition opportunities later.
“This project has been exciting from the very beginning,” said Prasnicki. “It has provided us the chance to work closely with the Institute to develop a facility that will allow us to improve our already strong relationship and work even more efficiently together to advance VMI’s extraordinary educational mission.
“The motto of the VMI Alumni Agencies is ‘excellence in service,’ and we live up to it every day, providing superb service to our alumni and friends and the Institute. We are eager to get into this beautiful new building, help our Institute partners bring it to life, and provide the very best service to the VMI family.”
As befits a building that has served the VMI family so well for more than 55 years and hosted innumerable events, such as the first Institute Society Dinner in 1974 and many reunion-related activities, Moody Hall will get a proper send-off. “It has been used by several generations of alumni who cherish countless memories of good times there,” said Matthew R. Hemenez ’90, VMI Alumni Association president and VMI Alumni Agencies Board chairman. “So, we plan to host events over the next several months that will allow our alumni to bid it a fond farewell.”
See renderings of the new facility and track ongoing progress.
Moody Hall Transition Details
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.
