Virginia Military Institute - Bomb Yearbook (Lexington, VA)

Page 17 text:

V Tke Greater V. M. I. In the early part of the last century there was in existence at Lexington a small arsenal the purpose of which was to house arms and ammunition belonging to the state. The problem of maintaining a garrison for the protection of this arsenal was a difficult one, and in 1839, as a solution to the difficulty, the state legislature authorized the founding of a military school, whose student body could furnish the garrison necessary. On the eleventh day of November, 1839, the Virginia Military Institute opened its doors and began its career with an outlay of two small buildings and a corps of thirty-two cadets, most of whom, due to the lack of instructors, had to attend a majority of their classes at a neighboring college. Around this nucleus has been built the West Point of the South. Before the time of the Civil War, many buildings had been constructed and much equipment acquired, but during the raiding expedition of General Hunter, the Federal troops destroyed literally everything but the Super- intendent ' s home. However, from the close of the war until the present day the existence of the Institute has been one of consistent and uninterrupted development. The two small buildings have developed into twelve large and useful structures, in addition to the many spacious officers ' quarters; the corps of thirty-two has grown until it now has six hundred and seventy members. The rigid military system which has always marked V. M. I. as the leading military college of the country. West Point alone excepted, has always been maintained at the highest level. The organization here of the R. O. T. C. units, with the generous outlay of government equipment and instruction by regular army officers, renders the system even more modern and efficient. Along academic lines, the system of consistent daily recitations in every class for every man has proved its worth, and the names of V. M. I. men are numerous in the lists of outstanding personnel in fields of big business, commerce, science and industry. The four courses of instruction are con- stantly being enlarged and broadened, and the full collegiate standing of the Institute is recog- nized everywhere as being of the highest order. In spite of the shortage of time due to the rigors of military and academic training, athletics at V. M. I. receive every encouragement and a large per cent of the corps participates in the various sports. Owing to the great loyalty and generosity of the alumni, a large athletic field, a handsome stadium, and a spacious gymnasium — the largest in the South — have recently been constructed. As a state-supported school, the material progress of V. M. I. necessarily seems slow in this age of heavy endowments and million-dollar developments. Nevertheless, with the spirit of V. M. I., and its evident result, plus the unceasing loyalty of her alumni, the Institute will continue to increase in size and prestige, and the Virginia Military Institute keeps on being heard from today.