IMPORTANT NOTICE: The following information and links to the actual official documents, videos and other information are provided for the VMI Family to educate themselves and form their own opinions on this important issue. It is one with far-reaching implications for the future of Virginia Military Institute (VMI) and the VMI experience.
There's been a great deal of media coverage on this issue, most of which is bias or incomplete. We highly encourage all members of the VMI Family to review this information -- especially the documents. Don't rely on social media posts, unsubstantiated statements, or allegations regarding this complex issue.
This page will be updated periodically as new information becomes available. Please check back for the most current information.
Lastest Update: June 28, 2025
Virginia Democratic Caucus says it could remove all BOV Members and the new Superintendent
SCROLL TO THE ENTRY AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE
THE CADET FOUNDATION POSITION
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. Messers. Quintin Elliott '85, Clifford Foster '93, and the reappointment of Ms. 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/
September 6, 2024 - 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 state Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections met 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. Democrat Senators, with Senator Jennifer Carroll Foy '03 as their spokesperson on VMI, refused to provide evidence of their accusations Elliott and Foster were unfit to serve, which served as the basis for their removal. 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 the removal of Members Quinton Elliott and Clifford Foster by the Virginia General Assembly. He stated that Governor Youngkin appointed both due to their "incredible experience." He said Mr. Elliott engaged more on the budget than he's ever seen previously. He commended both for their work on the BOV and VMI, concluding they were "victims of politics" and the Board is "worse today without them." His comments were amplified by fellow BOV Member Mr. Teddy Gottwald. Mr. Gottwald, said that the loss of Elliott and Foster was "not all the political meddling that's going on, there's more." One example he used was "A certain state Senator has been calling VMI Board members basically saying if we don't take certain actions, they [the General Assembly] are going to withhold our funds. I'd call that playing politics."
Watch the full comments on this subject by the BOV by clicking on this link: https://youtu.be/AqRRgv6fMgQ
February 20, 2025 - Congressman Ben Cline calls for an ethics Investigation into Senator Jennifer Carroll 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 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 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 3, 2025 – Mr. Tom Watjen '76 resigns as a member and president of the VMI Board of Visitors. In his resignation letter Watjen states his reason for resigning as, "I find I am increasingly out of alignment with the majority of the current board members..."
Read Mr. Watjen's full letter of resignation by clicking on this link: http://thecadetfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/WatjenResignation.pdf
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 using official VMI and related documents provide numerous false statements 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 Mr. Jose Suarez ’82 to the BOV
Read about Mr. Suarez and his positions on 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 subsequently gave an interview to The Cadet, in which he discussed 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 10, 2025 – Mr. John Adams ’96 abruptly resigns from the Board for "personal reasons". The only public record of his resignation is through articles in the Washington Post rather than a direct announcement.
Read the Statement published to the VMI Faculty and Staff at this link:
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 BOV Meeting, Maj. Gen. Wins voices serious accusations against BOV members he did not name, Alumnus Robert Morris '79, and other unnamed persons without providing any substantiating evidence. These allegations, such as "...we've spent more time talking about the mundane and the trivial as opposed to the strategic and important. We've spent a considerable amount of time talking about the cadet newspaper and Bob Morris' newspaper rather than talking about academic achievement, academic excellence, scholarship." He accused the Board of spening more time "...talking about a financial crisis that doesn't exist than we have talking about the strategic direction of the institute in very key areas." His comments continue the accusations of bias in his 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 delivered an investigative report 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 superintendent's contract. The Cadet also addressed the facts behind the controversy 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 – During the regularly scheduled BOV meeting, written public comments submitted by a supporter of the Superintendent made serious, unsubstantiated accusations against BOV Members Hartsock, Reardon, and Inman without evidence. The letter stated BOV Member Mr. Ianman was fired for insubordination by the "current administration" [Wins]. It further stated Mr. Hartsock left his position as a Deputy Commandant at VMI "under a Cloud", and that BOV Member Reardon was not qualified for his position. These uncorroborated accusations prompted former Superintendent Gen. Peay to comment, setting the record straight on the indictments against Mr. Inman. Current and former Cadets openly defend and affirm Mr. Hartsock's integrity and performance while at VMI.
Read the article on Gen. Peay calling the allegations against Inman "misinformation" and the cadets defending Hartsock 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 against current Board members and unidentified parents, supporters of VMI, and alumni, 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 Messrs. Hartsock, Reardon, and Suarez to the Virginia House or the full General Assembly, stating, without evidence, that Hartsock, Reardon, and Suarez are unfit for the positions while expressing assertions against President Trump's administration of interference in Virginia politics.
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 state-supported university rectors (BOV Presidents) regarding the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections' recent votes refusing to send Governor Youngkin university Board appointees to the General Assembly. Appointees included those for the University of Virginia, VMI, and George Mason University boards. Surovell's position is that the action is a lawful and effective refusal of confirmation, asserting the General Assembly's 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 governor's appointments are valid under the law. Citing both statutory and constitutional provisions, the Attorney General states that no valid “refusal to confirm” occurred, as the General Assembly had not taken a bicameral vote. He emphasizes that the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections' action 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 "I have been directed by Senator Aaron R. Rouse, Chair of the Senate Committee on Privileges and Election, to advise you that the Committee
met on Monday, June 9, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. and at that time failed to report Senate Joint Resolution SJR 6001." SJR 6001 was the normal resolution for the General Assembly to approve gubernatorial Board nominations and included the eight gubernatorial appointments to replace the university Board members the General Assembly failed to approve on January 21, 2025. For VMI these included Mr. Hartsock, Mr. Reardon, and Mr. Suarez. 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 Thomas E "Teddy" Gottwald '83, interim BOV President until Mr. Inman assumes the position July 1, 2025, 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 requests Senator Surovell produce 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 reiterates and expands on his position in a message to the VMI community, noting the Attorney General confirmed the three VMI contested appointees and other university 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 to allow Ma. Gen. Wins, contract to expire or any other actions, and reaffirms that the Board remains committed to operating independently, as required by Virginia law. He challenges Senator Surovell’s assertion that the appointees lacked the judgment or character for public service, defending their records and questioning the legality 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 there is no public information available showing VMI or the VMI AA distributed them to the VMI Community as Mr. Gottwald addressed them. However, VMI predominantly highlight the other side of the issues by posting MG Wins’ June 5, 2025, “Final Message” to their news site as a featured item. 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 responds to The Cadet newspaper' query: "... [Was] this action in regard to the three VMI nominees specifically in response to 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: "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 Governor.
§ 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.
The Cadet reached out to the Press offices of The Governor and the Attorney General on June 18, 2025 requesting comment on Senator Surovell's statement to us and are waiting a reply.
June 24, 2025 – Virginia Democratic Senators leaders, led by Senate President Pro Tempore L. Louise Lucas, filed a lawsuit in Fairfax County Circuit Court challenging Governor Glenn Youngkin and Attorney General Jason Miyares for allegedly overstepping constitutional limits in university board appointments. The case, Lucas v. Stimson, stems from the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee’s 8-4 vote on June 9 to reject eight of the Governor’s appointees to the boards of the University of Virginia, VMI, and George Mason University. Despite the Senate's rejection, the Governor and Attorney General advised the universities to seat the appointees anyway—actions the lawsuit claims violate Article V, Section 11 of the Virginia Constitution, which prohibits rejected nominees from serving.
The legal action seeks declaratory and injunctive relief to affirm the General Assembly’s authority over appointments and to bar the rejected individuals from continuing to serve. The plaintiffs argue the executive branch's refusal to accept the Senate’s decision undermines legislative authority and threatens the constitutional separation of powers. Among the rejected appointees is former Trump official Ken Cuccinelli, whose appointment—and immediate participation in board decisions like VMI’s removal of its first Black superintendent—has drawn heightened public attention.
Defendants in the case are: CHARLES STIMSON, Rector of the Board of Visitors of George Mason University; THOMAS E. GOTWALD '83, President of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Military Institute; and ROBERT D. HARDIE, Rector of the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia. They are being sued in their official capacity on the Boards and not personally.
Plaintiffs in the case are: Virginia State Senators AARON R. ROUSE, RUSSET W. PERRY, R. CREIGH DEEDS, ADAM P. EBBIN, SCHUYLER T. VANVALKENBURG, JENNIFER D. CARROLL FOY '03, SADDAM AZLAN SALIM, and KANNAN SRINIVASAN. All Plaintiffs are Democrats. Foy is a strong supporter of outgoing VMI Superintendent Maj. Gen. Wins and his claims that the BOV acted with bias in not renewing his contract.
NOTES from The Cadet Foundation:
1. Mr. Gottwald is the interim BOV President until he is replaced by COL (Ret) James P. Inman '86 on July 1, 2025. Mr. Gottwald has been a particular target for the outgoing VMI Superintendent and his supporters. It is unknown at this time if the Plaintiffs will amend the complaint to replace Mr. Gottwald with Mr. Inman after July 1st.
2. The Cadet Foundation reminds the VMI Community that the Press Release and the Court filing only contain one side of the issue, and the allegations both contain are yet to be proven. Any response to the complaint will be posted on this page.
3. The Plaintiffs are represented by attorneys from the large Northern Virginia law firm, WILLKIE FARR & GALLAGHER LLP
4. Defendants are represented by the Virginia Attorney General's Office. Of note, the VMI Attorney General's representative is Mr. Patrick O'Leary
Read the full civil complaint filed in Court at this link: http://thecadetfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Lucas_v_Rectors_24June25.pdf
Read Surovell's Press Release at this link: http://thecadetfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Surovell_Press_24June25.pdf
NEW ! - June 28, 2025 – The Virginia Democratic Caucus may remove all BOV Members and the new Superintendent.
Must-Watch: VA Senate Dems Outline Plans to Reshape VMI and Higher Ed Governance
On Saturday, June 28, 2025, the Virginia Senate Democratic Caucus held a high-stakes virtual press conference in response to a New York Times report alleging pressure from the Trump Administration on UVa President Jim Ryan to step down.
In this press conference, the Caucus outlined sweeping plans to reassert political control over Virginia’s public college Boards of Visitors—including the Virginia Military Institute—starting immediately and increasing during the next legislative session following the November election. Their stated goals include reshaping board composition through changes to state law and aligning institutional leadership with their ideological vision. They are currently urging all Boards to reject federal policies implemented by the Trump administration that they oppose. Failure to comply, they warned, could result in the removal of Board members or even college presidents. They warned the University of Virginia to avoid entering into any long-term contract if it hires a new President, and the same could apply to VMI's new Superintendent.
Although The Cadet Editorial Staff was on summer break, they submitted a series of pointed questions through an advisor. Only one question was allowed during the live event, but the Caucus agreed to respond in writing to all remaining inquiries. These questions are now available on The Cadet Foundation through the link below:
A must-watch is the video of the full Press Conference, Available at the link below, to hear exactly what was said and why it matters to the future of VMI and public education in Virginia.
Watch the video of the full Press Conference at this link: https://youtu.be/UchPE3RhCEI
Read The Additional questions The Cadet submitted at this link: http://thecadetfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/VA_Caucus_Questions.pdf
Conclusion
Taken together, these events reveal a brewing constitutional conflict over the roles of the Governor and General Assembly in higher education governance. The results could destabilize the governance structure at VMI and potentially all state-supported colleges and universities. Acting to remove BOV members, force ideological or other agendas, or directly control the directions of Institutions of Higher Education based solely on 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.
Mr. Surovell implies, and Maj. Gen. Wins suggests that the new Governor, depending on the political party, could immediately remove and replace the entire BOV for misfeasance without requiring any evidence, as Governor Youngkin recently did with Mr. Bert Ellis in removing him from the University of Virginia Board. These actions have placed the VMI Board, particularly the President and leadership, in an untenable position.
Give us your opinion using this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BOV2
Please help us continue our work by donating to The Cadet Foundation
Further updates will be published when available.