BOV Removals

This page will be updated periodically as new information becomes available. Please check back for the most current information. 

Last Update: June 18, 2025

THE CADET FOUNDATION POSTION

As a 501c3, The Cadet Foundation cannot, and will not, take a political position on issues or lobby the General Assembly or other political entity. With that said, until proof of the allegations or reasons for failing to approve the BOV nominees is provided, The Cadet Foundation opposes any such subjective, unilateral action. Furthermore, The Cadet Foundation condemns the actions of some alumni, elected officials, VMI employees, and media in making and, in some cases, publishing false or misleading statements that harm the reputations of the Board of Visitors (BOV) members and nominees impacted by this situation. To date, there is no factual, substantiated evidence supporting the accusations against, or the removal of, these honorable people who gave freely and extensively of their time and treasure to VMI and the VMI Family. They are forced to endure these attacks on their reputations. Until verifiable evidence is provided, there is no justification for these actions.

The Cadet Foundation challenges VMI and the VMI Alumni Agencies to join us in this position, hold those making such misrepresentations or false statements accountable, demand transparency, and cease remaining silent. The Cadet Foundation defers to the BOV on any appropriate steps regarding the actions of the VMI and VMI AA Communications staff in this matter.

THE FACTS OF THE MATTER

In a developing legal and political controversy surrounding gubernatorial appointments to Virginia's public university boards, a series of official letters from legislative, executive, and institutional leaders reveal stark divisions over statutory interpretation, institutional independence, and the role of partisanship in public education governance.

Sequence of Events

September 10, 2024 – During a BOV Executive Committee, former VMI BOV President Watjen warned the Board against taking actions to change its DEI program or leadership that appeared to include Maj. Gen. Wins for his upcoming contract decision.  He warned against diminishing the DEI objectives established in 2021, indicating there could be issues from “people” he did not name. He cited the 2021 Northam-era objectives to change VMI as those that must be retained or “I think it's a real bad day if, in fact people believe some of those objectives that we set out 2021 are no longer important to this Board.”

Watch the full vote by the BOV by clicking on this link: https://youtu.be/PnGExZPfrFU

June 28, 2024 - Governor Youngkin announces Honorable William R. Janis '84. Quintin Elliott '85, Clifford Foster '93, and the reappointment of Kate Todd to the VMI Board of Visitors:

Read about the nominees by clicking on this link: https://cadetnewspaper.com/news/821/governor-youngkin-appoints-new-board-of-visitors-members/ 

BOV Member Quinton Elliott '85 provided The Cadet his priorities as increasing BOV transparency, empowering the Corps, and increasing fiscal responsibility for VMI.

Read the full interview and his priorities by clicking on this link: https://cadetnewspaper.com/news/824/bov-member-quinton-elliott-85-states-his-priorities-to-the-corps/

January 21, 2025 –Virginia Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections meeting on SJR275, during which the committee voted along party lines to remove Mr. Quinton Elliott '85 and Mr. John Foster '93 from the VMI BOV. Democratic Senators, with Senator Jennifer Carroll Foy '03 as their spokesperson on VMI, refused to provide evidence of their accusations against Elliott and Foster. The Democratic Committee Chair claimed that the result of the recent presidential elections was that the rules and the Constitution no longer apply.

Watch the full debate and vote by the Senate Committee by clicking on this link: https://youtu.be/IXU3EA78TFs

Read the full article on the situation and issue with other videos of actual event by clocking on this link: https://cadetnewspaper.com/news/882/virginia-senate-committee-rejects-governor-youngkins-appointees-to-vmi-board-of-visitors/

February 8, 2025 – During the VMI Board of Visitors (BOV) meeting, the Board President, Mr. John Adams, mentioned only the removal of Members Quinton Elliott and Clifford Foster by the Virginia General Assembly, but did commend both for their work on the BOV and for VMI. His comments were followed by fellow BOV Member Mr. Teddy Gottwald. Mr. Gottwald, who covered a call from at least one State Senator in the General Assembly, threatening to "cut" VMI funds unless the BOV makes certain concessions.

Watch the full vote by the BOV by clicking on this link: https://youtu.be/AqRRgv6fMgQ

February 26, 2025 – Governor Youngkin appoints Hartsock ’00 and Reardon ‘84 to the BOV

Read the full interview and his priorities by clicking on this link: https://cadetnewspaper.com/news/931/gov-youngkin-appoints-hartsock-00-reardon-84-and-suarez-82-to-the-bov/

February 20, 2025 - Congressman Ben Cline calls for an ethics Investigation into Senator Jennifer Carrioll Foy's alleged threats against VMI Board Members

Read all the details about the accusations and view related documents by clicking on this link:  https://cadetnewspaper.com/news/905/congressman-ben-cline-calls-for-ethics-investigation-into-virginia-lawmakers-threats-against-vmi-board/

February 23, 2025 – Sen. Jennifer Carroll Foy issues a response to Congressman Cline with her own accusations about the VMI Board of Visitors rejecting a Black Superintendent and calls for an investigation of Cline.

Read all the details about the accusations and view related documents by clicking on this link:  https://cadetnewspaper.com/news/907/sen-jennifer-carroll-foys-response-to-congressman-cline-vmi-board-of-visitors-rejecting-a-black-superintendent/

February 28, 2025 – VMI BOV Votes not to renew Maj. Gen. Wins contract

Watch the full vote by the BOV by clicking on this link: https://youtu.be/gAcSGQJD1qQ

March 6, 2025 – VMI Superintendent Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins releases a statement following the Board’s decision not to renew his contract. In it, Wins accuses the Board of engaging in a “partisan” decision that abandoned “honor, integrity, and excellence.” He explicitly invokes the term “misfeasance,” an obscure but legally charged term taken from § 23.1-1300 of the Virginia Code, which outlines grounds for removing members of the Boards of Visitors. The inclusion of this term suggests laying a foundation for legislative or legal retaliation. His language –without substantiating evidence--- accuses the Board of “a cycle of politicization… that endangers VMI and the future of our nation” and frames the non-renewal of his contract as part of a broader ideological assault on the “progress” he achieved.

The statement effectively sets the conditions for the controversy that unfolded, adding to the narrative that the Board was under improper executive influence—despite there being no evidence to support such a claim.

A subsequent “fact-check” of Maj. Gen. Wins’ statement and the accomplishments he listed as evidence of the progress his administration achieved used official VMI and other documents to identify numerous areas of false or misleading information.

Read Maj Gen. Wins Statement by clicking on this link: https://cadetnewspaper.com/news/918/mg-cedric-t-wins-statement-on-not-receiving-a-new-contract/

Read the Fact-Check identifying accurate, false, and misleading statements by Maj. Gen. Wins at this link: https://cadetnewspaper.com/news/915/fact-checking-mg-wins-true-false-or-unsubstantiated-claims-on-his-vmi-tenure/

April 11, 2025 – Governor Youngkin appoints Jose Suarez ’82 to the BOV

Read about Mr. Suarez and his positions in the issues in his own words at this link: https://cadetnewspaper.com/news/931/gov-youngkin-appoints-hartsock-00-reardon-84-and-suarez-82-to-the-bov/

BOV Member Jose Suarez gives an interview to The Cadet, wherein he discusses his priorities, including continuing to move VMI forward, empowering the Corps, and enhancing the VMI experience for all cadets.

Read the full interview and his priorities at this link: https://cadetnewspaper.com/news/939/forward-not-backward-new-vmi-bov-member-jos-j-surez-82-charts-a-course-for-unity-and-strength/ 

April 16, 2025 – Mr. Teddy Gottwald ’83 is elected interim BOV President after John Adams ’96 abruptly resigns from the Board

Read the full details and watch the video of the BOV Meeting and vote at this link: https://cadetnewspaper.com/news/933/john-adams-96-resigns-from-the-bov-gottwald-83-named-new-bov-president/

April 16, 2025 (Continued) – During the same Special BOV Meeting wherein the Board elected Mr. Gottwald interim president, Maj. Gen. Wins voices serious accusations against select BOV members and alumni without providing any substantiating evidence. These allegations continued to advance his accusations of bias in the March 6, 2025, public statement.

Watch the Video of Maj. Gen. Wins’s statement to the BOV at this link: https://youtu.be/AqVAIAdi7gQ

April 18, 2025 – The Cadet newspaper uncovers and reports on the VMI Communications Office's close ties with The Washington Post and its collaboration on negative articles about the BOV and its decision not to renew the major's contract. Gen. Wins' contract. The Cadet also addressed the facts behind the growing controversy over why the BOV did not make public its reasons for not renewing the Superintendent's contract.

Read the full article and review all the supporting evidence from VMI official records on the Communications Office working with the Washington Post at this link: https://cadetnewspaper.com/news/936/vmi-communications-offices-close-ties-with-the-washington-post-raise-concerns/

Read the full article and review all the supporting documents covering why the BOV was prohibited from commenting on the Superintendent’s performance at this link: https://cadetnewspaper.com/news/923/why-the-vmi-board-of-visitors-remains-silent-on-superintendent-controversy/

May 3, 2025 – Public Comments submitted by a supporter of the Superintendent raise serious accusations against BOV Members Hartsock, Reardon, and Inman without evidence. The false accusations prompt Maj. Gen. Peay to break his silence and set the record straight on the accusations against Mr. Inman. Cadets from the Corps defend Mr. Hartsock.

Read the article on Gen. Peay calling the allegations against Hartsock misinformation at this link: https://cadetnewspaper.com/news/938/general-peay-breaks-his-silence-as-laniers-allegations-rock-vmi-board/

June 5, 2025 – In his farewell message Maj. Gen. Wins continues his accusations, stating, in part, “…a few individuals' poor actions led to unfair perceptions of the entire group, further fueled by alumni anger and harsh comments about the many needed institutional changes.”

Read Maj. Gen. Wins’ Statement at this link:  https://www.vmi.edu/news/headlines/2024-2025/a-final-message-from-maj-gen-wins-85.php

June 9, 2025 - The Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections refuses to send the nominations of Hartsock, Reardon, and Suarez to the Virginia House or the full General Assembly, citing, without evidence, that Hartsock, Reardon, and Suarez are unfit for the positions and expressing allegations against the Trump administration for interfering in Virginia politics.  The action follows repeated accusations of misfeasance and bias by the outgoing VMI Superintendent, as well as unfounded accusations made by some of the Superintendent’s supporters to the Board of Visitors (BOV) and in the media.

Watch the full Committee meeting, accusations and vote at this link: https://youtu.be/Sxf-tXoHIxY

June 9, 2025 (continued) - Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell sends a letter to university rectors (BOV Presidents) regarding the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections' votes, which were cast along party lines, not to send eight Youngkin BOV appointee appointments to the full General Assembly for a vote. These BOV appointments include the University of Virginia, VMI, and George Mason University. Surovell's position is that the action is a lawful and effective refusal of confirmation, claiming the General Assembly's ultimate authority over public institutions under § 23.1-2200 of the Code of Virginia. Senator Surovell emphasizes the expectation that rectors exercise fiduciary independence and resist executive direction, warning that partisan loyalty or failure to uphold legislative expectations could result in further corrective action, implying the misfeasance clause first cited by Wins.

Read Senator Surovell’s letter at this link:  http://thecadetfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/9JUNE25-Surovel_LTR.pdf

June 9, 2025 (Continued) -  In a letter to the rectors, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares challenges the legality of Surovell’s conclusions and asserts that the appointments remain valid under the law. Citing both statutory and constitutional provisions, the Attorney General argues that no valid “refusal to confirm” occurred, as the General Assembly had not taken a bicameral vote. He emphasizes that committee inaction was procedurally insufficient and that legal guidance for BOVs must come from the Office of the Attorney General—not individual legislators. His conclusion was clear: the Governor’s appointees remain in office until formally rejected by both chambers of the legislature.

Read Attorney General Miyares’ letter at this link: http://thecadetfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/11JUNE25-Miyares.pdf

June 10, 2025 - Susan Clarke Schaar, Clerk of the Senate, formally notifies Secretary of the Commonwealth Kelly Gee that the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections, chaired by Senator Aaron R. Rouse, met on June 9, 2025, and failed to report Senate Joint Resolution SJR 6001. Senator Rouse directed her to send the letter. SJR 6001 included eight gubernatorial appointments, including Mr. Hartsock, Mr. Reardon, and Mr. Suarez for VMI, subject to confirmation by the General Assembly. Citing Article V, Section 11 of the Virginia Constitution, the letter states that due to the Committee’s inaction, the appointments were effectively rejected, and the individuals may not assume or remain in office nor be reappointed during the Assembly’s recess. Schaar concludes by stating the action took immediate effect.

Read the Senate Clerk’s letter at this link: http://thecadetfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/10JUNE25-Schaar.pdf

June 10, 2025 (Continued) – In response to Senator Surovell, VMI Board Interim President Thomas E. "Teddy" Gottwald '83 defends the integrity and independence of the Board's actions. He refutes claims that the Board had been directed by the Governor, stating unequivocally that no such directives had been received. He emphasizes that the decision not to renew Superintendent Wins's contract had been based on performance reviews, institutional needs, and a thorough internal process—one in which the Governor played no part. He also defended the qualifications and character of both past and present appointees to the Board, many of whom have distinguished records in military, legal, and public service. Gottwald ends by asking Surovell to produce his evidence of improper actions by the BOV.

Read the letter from Mr. Gottwald at this link:

 http://thecadetfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/10JUNE25_Gottwald.pdf

June 12, 2025 – A letter from Senate Minority Leader Ryan McDougle and Republican Caucus Chair Mark Obenshain accuses the Senate Clerk and Democratic leadership of misrepresenting the constitutional process. They argue that the committee’s refusal to act on resolutions of confirmation did not constitute a legislative “refusal,” and they accuse Democratic leaders of procedural manipulation aimed at undermining Republican-appointed board members.

Read the letter from Senators McDougle and Obenshain at this link: http://thecadetfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/12June25_McDougle.pdf

June 16, 2025 – Mr. Gottwald reiterated and expanded on this position in a message to the VMI community, noting that the Attorney General had confirmed the three contested appointees remain in good standing until the full General Assembly meets in January. He denounces repeated, evidence-free accusations that the Board was politically motivated and reaffirms that the Board remains committed to operating independently and by Virginia law. He directly challenges Surovell’s assertion that the appointees lacked the judgment or character for public service, defending their records and questioning the legitimacy of the Senate committee’s actions. As of 1:43 PM EST on June 17, 2025, no posting of either of Gottwald’s letters appears on the VMI or VMI Alumni Agencies News Pages, and neither VMI nor the VMI AA distributed them to alumni. However, MG Wins’  June 5, 2025, “Final Message” does. The Cadet Foundation, however, distributes the letter using its limited Newsletter subscriber list.

Read Gottwald’s statement at this link: http://thecadetfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/10JUNE25_Gottwald.pdf

June 17, 2025 – Senator Surovell provided a response to The Cadet's Question: "...[Was] this action in regard to the three VMI nominees specifically in response to, a result of, or otherwise connected to Maj. Gen. Wins' statement and allegations of bias and former BOV Member E. Sean Lanier's serious allegations against the three nominees removed?"

Senator Surovell did not answer the question but sent this response that implies if the Board allows the appointees to serve the General Assembly may take action to remove them all depending on if the Democratic party remains in the majority or wins the Governor's race.

The General Assembly adjourned our regular session on 2/22/25.  Two members were appointed forty-eight hours later when the Governor knew we didn't have time to vote on them and Major General Wins was terminated a few days later.  It appeared that the Governor structured his nominees and the Board acted in a way to minimize General Assembly involvement even though the Code of Virginia specifically states VMI is controlled by the General Assembly and not the Govenor.

§ 23.1-2500. Corporate name; name of the Institute.

A. The board of visitors of Virginia Military Institute (the board) is a corporation under the name and style of "Virginia Military Institute" and has, in addition to its other powers, all the corporate powers given to corporations by the provisions of Title 13.1 except those powers that are confined to corporations created pursuant to Title 13.1. The board shall at all times be under the control of the General Assembly. . . .

https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title23.1/chapter25/section23.1-2500/

It's not clear that the Board appreciates the General Assembly's role in university governance.  The letters otherwise speak for themselves.  

Scott S.

Conclusion

We reached out to the Press offices of The Governor and the Attorney General on June 18, 2025 asking for a comment on Senator Surovell's statement to us and are waiting a reply.

Taken together, these events reveal not only a brewing constitutional conflict over the role of the General Assembly in higher education governance but also actions that could destabilize the governance structure at VMI. Public accusations without evidence may erode trust in the nonpartisan operation of the BOV and place BOV members in a no-win situation—subject to attack regardless of the course they take. The outcome may depend not on legal facts but on which political Party controls the legislature after the next election in November.

As Mr. Surovell implies, and Maj. Gen. Wins states that the new Governor, depending on the Party, could immediately remove and replace the entire BOV for misfeasance without requiring any evidence. These actions have placed the VMI Board, particularly the President and leadership, in an untenable position. 

The Board is being accused of political bias without evidence, warned against following alleged directives that never existed, and now faces implicit threats of legal removal for exercising its oversight responsibilities by its bylaws and the Code of Virginia.

Give us your opinion using this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BOV2

                      Further updates will be published when available.