Week 48 Nov. 25 - Dec. 1st
Recently I had to travel to Lexington, VA to visit Washington and Lee University to take pictures of building for a potential project we may be doing there. While there, I found that Washington & Lee is right next to the Virginia Military Institute. Established in 1839, VMI is regarded as the West Point of the south. Although this is a four year military university, like other military academies, VMI graduates are not required to serve in the military upon graduation, although they can choose to accept a commission in any of the US military braches. Women can also attend VMI, since 1997.
Although severly important military and government figures are among the VMI alumni, the notable name that stuck out to me was Bobby Ross, former (thank god) head coach of the Detroit Lions. Most of the high ranking leaders of the Confederate States of America Army were VMI graduates and some historical scholars debate that the commanders of the CSA were vastly superior and skilled as military leaders than the Union counterparts and that the ultimate victory of the Union in the Civil War was that of the pure vastness of the natural resources and industry of the norhern state.
The campus is situated on a large hill in Lexington, with sharp, crisp buildings. There are reminents of history throughout the campus, with a large statue of Stonewall Jackson in the main Parade Ground. Stonewall Jackson was an instructor here at VMI prior to the war. In fact, VMI Cadets were called into active Military Service 14 times for the CSA during the Civil War.
To me, this seem an impressive and prestigious military academy. What was striking to me though, was the connection to Washington & Lee University. Washington and Lee was originally Washington Academy, created from an endowment from George Washington. After the Civil War, Robert E. Lee was offered and accepted a position as president of the university in 1865. He remained president unit his death in 1870. During his tenure, he transformed the college into an expanding university, creating a diverse program and expanding the university. In recognition of his work, they renamed the University, Washington & Lee University. That said, understand that W&L is literally right next to VMI. I find it ironic that one of the greatest military commanders in history and leader of the Army of the CSA, took a position at a small college right smack dab next to the "West Point of the South". In fact the Superintendent of VMI at the time served UNDER Lee in the war. To me this would be like being the high school football coach for Joe Montana's son!
Although severly important military and government figures are among the VMI alumni, the notable name that stuck out to me was Bobby Ross, former (thank god) head coach of the Detroit Lions. Most of the high ranking leaders of the Confederate States of America Army were VMI graduates and some historical scholars debate that the commanders of the CSA were vastly superior and skilled as military leaders than the Union counterparts and that the ultimate victory of the Union in the Civil War was that of the pure vastness of the natural resources and industry of the norhern state.
The campus is situated on a large hill in Lexington, with sharp, crisp buildings. There are reminents of history throughout the campus, with a large statue of Stonewall Jackson in the main Parade Ground. Stonewall Jackson was an instructor here at VMI prior to the war. In fact, VMI Cadets were called into active Military Service 14 times for the CSA during the Civil War.
To me, this seem an impressive and prestigious military academy. What was striking to me though, was the connection to Washington & Lee University. Washington and Lee was originally Washington Academy, created from an endowment from George Washington. After the Civil War, Robert E. Lee was offered and accepted a position as president of the university in 1865. He remained president unit his death in 1870. During his tenure, he transformed the college into an expanding university, creating a diverse program and expanding the university. In recognition of his work, they renamed the University, Washington & Lee University. That said, understand that W&L is literally right next to VMI. I find it ironic that one of the greatest military commanders in history and leader of the Army of the CSA, took a position at a small college right smack dab next to the "West Point of the South". In fact the Superintendent of VMI at the time served UNDER Lee in the war. To me this would be like being the high school football coach for Joe Montana's son!
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