This year’s Rat Mass comes from 36 states, six foreign countries, the District of Columbia, and Guam, with 62% matriculating from Virginia and 38% from out of state.—VMI Alumni Agencies photo.
Matriculation Day at VMI was held Aug. 17, 2024, beginning the Rat Line for the new academic year. This year marks the 185th year of the Institute. Since 1839, VMI has been built on the core values of honor, excellence, self-discipline, courage, esprit de corps, selfless service, and resilience.
The balmy day included a fair in Cocke Hall where incoming cadets and their families met with local churches, VMI coaches and clubs, and community organizations. Various other VMI agencies were present, including the chaplain’s office staff with their new facility dog, CAVU, experiencing his first Matriculation Day. Also part of the process were uniform fittings and issuing of athletic uniforms in Cameron Hall, completion of paperwork, meeting department faculty, and the traditional signing of the Matriculation Book in the Corps Physical Training Facility. Throughout the morning, barracks teemed with parents assisting their cadets in moving into their rooms and meeting their roommates.
In the afternoon, the Chaplain’s Prayer, an optional nondenominational prayer session for matriculants and their families, was held in Memorial Hall, followed by the superintendent’s welcome in Cameron Hall.
Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins ’85, superintendent, welcomed the incoming matriculants and their families. He reminded the young men and women who will become the Class of 2028 that they will be challenged in the coming days, but they have come to VMI to succeed, not fail. He reminded them that the rat training only lasts about 6 months out of their 4-year cadetship and to keep it all in perspective. He advised them to lean into the training and never quit.
Col. Lawrence Havird ’90, VMI’s new commandant, also addressed the rats. He pointed out that incoming cadets chose VMI because they wanted a challenge and a journey less traveled. He said to succeed at VMI, they must be willing and committed teammates. “Get to know each other quickly. Work together. Give your best each day, and strive to be better the next day,” said Havird.
The matriculants took an oath during the ceremony. With hugs, cheers, and a few tears, they bid goodbye to their families and formed up with their companies for the first time. After marching up to barracks, they met their cadre.
This year’s Rat Mass comes from 36 states, six foreign countries, the District of Columbia, and Guam, with 62% matriculating from Virginia and 38% from out of state. Eighty-six are female, and 168 are recruited NCAA athletes. Forty-nine percent have selected a major in STEM disciplines, and 51% are majoring in the liberal arts.
Sean Bergman, Rat Mass of ’25+3, a history major from Richmond, Virginia, is the nephew of Melissa S. Krawiec ’01, D.O., Institute physician, who was a member of the first coeducational class at VMI. Krawiec shared that she is immensely proud of Bergman.
“Sean spent the last year working in the ‘real world,’ putting in long hours and hard work, and comes to VMI with experiences that a lot of rats have not had. I think that perspective makes him appreciate the opportunity to be in school and influence his own future. The fact that he chose VMI has, I think, very little to do with me and everything to do with his goals for his own future. Sean is excited and committed to doing well at VMI, and I can’t wait to see what’s next,” shared Krawiec.
Bergman wanted his first day as a rat to make a difference in the lives of others, so anticipating his rat haircut, he refrained from cutting his hair for nearly 3 years in order to have hair long enough to donate to Children With Hair Loss, a nonprofit organization that provides human hair replacements at no cost to children and young adults facing medically-related hair loss.
The matriculation process continued throughout the week, with the cadre leading the new arrivals in military drills and physical training, culminating with the Rat Crucible Aug. 27. The Rat Mass will officially become the Class of 2028 in the spring semester after Breakout.
Editor's Note: Story originally published by Virginia Military Institute.
