Virginia Military Institute - Bomb Yearbook (Lexington, VA)

Page 15 text:

TKe Greater V. M. I. In 1839 the Corps (if Cailtts of the Virginia Military Institute numbered thirty-two and it plant consisted of two hiiildinns. In 1937, there were 650 cadets and twelve buildinK , not in- cluding the score of ofHcers ' houses. Progress, though slow, was steady until the la-t ten years which have seen more rapid additions. In this last period Jackson Memorial llall, Scoii-Shipp Hall, the Alumni Field and Stadium, the Francis H. Smith (north) wing of barracks and Alumni Hall, and the new gymnasium, Ninety-Four Hall, all have been built. The Institute has continued to maintain and advance its well-founded military reputation. It is nationally recognized as being the finest military school in the United States, West Point alone excepted. The thoroughness of its military training has always been the pride of V. . I. I., and the introduction of the R. O. T. C. with its attendant army ofhcers and valuable ci|uipment has contributed greatly to the broadening of this phase of work. V. M. I. ' s greatest strides of late years have probably been in the academic field. The prac- tice of admitting applicants with less than fifteen entrance units has been stopped. Complete recognition of the Institute ' s collegiate rating has followed the abolition of this handicap. The section system of instruction with daily recitation has continued to prove its efHcacy, and the four courses are constantly being extended and improved. C5raduates are now accepted in all post- graduate schools. In few places, if any, do intercollegiate athletics receive heartier support. Although sports are not allowed to interfere materially with prescribed duties, every assistance is rendered to overcome the drawbacks of short time for practice and the comparatively small number of men available. To the stranger the material progress of V. M. I. must seem slow when compared with that of many of the endowed colleges. This is true because, being under state supervision, the tinancial problem has always been a difficult one. But the true worth of an institution is iletermined by the men it turns out, not by its money, buildings, or enrollment. Unfulfilled hopes arid plans are man . What has been done i- mostly due to the unfailing support of a most loyal body of alunuii, and they will deserve credit for accomplishments of the future. m. S '