Spanberger Appoints Five New Members to VMI Board of Visitors

Editor's note: In data gathering, The Cadet distributed a survey to over 6,000 alumni, asking whether they agreed or disagreed with the Board of Visitors' selections. More detailed background information and survey results are available with the online version of this article at www.cadetnewspaper.org. Keeping with her campaign promise to appoint new members and change the Virginia College and University Boards "Day 1" of her administration, as previously covered in The Cadet, Governor Abigail Spanberger appointed five members to the Virginia Military Institute's (VMI) Board of Visitors (BOV). Her selections include alumni with prior board service, a former governor directly responsible for a state-ordered investigation into VMI, and two first-time appointees from military and business backgrounds. The appointments—Michael Dick ('77), Don Hall, Lester Johnson ('95), former Governor Ralph Northam ('81), and Allen Damon Williams ('90)—come amid continued debate over institutional policies adopted between 2020 and 2025 that remain formally in effect. In her first speech to the Virginia General Assembly on January 19, 2026, Governor Spanberger stated that she will not use university board appointments to advance ideology and that she intends to ensure effective governance. Finally, a word on higher education. Virginia has some of the finest colleges and universities in the world. And yet, news story after news story, it's not about their successes. It's about them becoming political battlegrounds. Our students deserve better. Our educators deserve better. Our institutions deserve better. Our economy and our Virginia deserve better. And this ends right now. Through executive order, I have directed the Department of Education under the leadership of Secretary of Education Dr. Jeffrey Smith. I've asked them to review and evaluate the process for appointments to our higher education boards of visitors. And I will work with this General Assembly to pursue reforms that prevent any future governor, Democrat or Republican, from imposing an ideological agenda on our universities. As governor, I have already, and I will continue to appoint senior, serious, mission-driven individuals to serve our boards of visitors, people whose allegiance is to the institutions they are serving, not any political agenda. On Saturday, I was proud to fill vacancies on the boards of UVA, VMI, and George Mason, and now I entrust those individuals to do right by the universities they are going to serve. And the Commonwealth of Virginia. And I welcome anyone in the room. If you have additional suggestions for folks to be appointed to boards, I will redirect you to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Candi Mundon King. Several of the appointees, however, previously participated in the adoption and oversight of policies explicitly framed as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives that have not been rescinded or substantively amended by the BOV. Michael Dick '77: Military and Veterans Affairs Background Michael Dick, a 1977 VMI graduate, is a retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel with more than two decades of active-duty service. Following his military career, Dick earned a law degree and served at the U.S. Department of Justice. In Virginia, he has held senior advisory roles in veterans' services and currently directs a veterans' legal clinic at William & Mary (W&M). According to his online Bio, he was appointed to the Virginia Board of Veterans Services by Governor Terry McAuliffe in 2016, completing his service on the Board in 2024, during which he served as Vice Chair and Chairman. At W&M, COL. (Ret.) Dick was appointed the director of the school's new Office of Military & Veteran Affairs (OMVA) with the mission "... to provide dedicated, focused and holistic support to students at William & Mary Law School who are veterans, active duty or reserve forces personnel." In this capacity, Dick could potentially assist in closing the gaps in VMI's support that veteran cadets experience. In a 2023 interview with William and Mary News, the interview highlighted the challenges such veteran students face and the responsibilities to meet them: While the faculty, staff, and fellow students warmly embraced military and student veterans, the vastly different experiences of the military and student veterans present unique challenges that require a dedicated and focused support structure. The presence of such students greatly enriches the academic environment, and I am convinced that efforts to ensure veterans and military students have the maximum opportunity to succeed will benefit the entire law school. This office (OMVA) is a great initial step in the right direction. Col. (Ret.) Michael Dick's perspective highlights how his role on the VMI BOV could strengthen overdue support for veteran cadets whose unique needs have been overlooked under VMI Inclusive Excellence priorities from the previous administration. Col. (Ret.) Dick has not previously served on the VMI BOV and has no documented role in the Board's DEI committees, the adoption of post-2020 institutional policies, or the controversy involving the BOV's decision not to renew the previous Superintendent's contract. His public record centers on military leadership, legal practice, and veterans advocacy. According to his '77 Bomb bio: Michael Edward Dick "Mike" Winchester. Virginia History - Marine Corps 1st Class Honor Court Rep.: Wrestling Team 4.3.3.1; Monogram Club 3.3.1; Pres.Young Democrats 3.3: Cadet Staff; History Honors and Midnight Oil Team;International Relations Club I; Peanut Pusher 1; Ghetto 3: Corner 1: Who'sWho among Students in American Universities and Colleges. The woods are lovely, dark and deep.But I have promises to keep.And miles to go before I sleep.And miles to go before I sleep. &emsp;&emsp; -Robert Frost The little guy that nobody thought of as anything but big. One word tells whatMike was at the Institute. Respected. You can trust him farther than Nenad couldthrow him. ..that's pretty far. He was a friend to be valued by all of us and he wasa brother to me. --If the Marines don't have to hit the dunes in the Middle East,then you can find him on Capitol Hill. All the best to you. jarhead. Keep your faceto the front and the rear will take care of itself. OOOORAAHHhh . . . 'I am a Democrat and a politician and I'm proud of it.' -Harry S. Truman- Don Hall: Business Executive Don Hall, president and CEO of the Virginia Automobile Dealers Association (VADA), is the sole non-alumnus among the appointees. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Hall has served on several nonprofit and civic boards, including the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. Following his appointment, Hall told the VADA: VMI's mission is built on leadership development, character, and service. These values belong to all Virginians…I will work to ensure that the Institute provides a fair and consistent standard for every qualified applicant and Cadet, and that its traditions remain strong while its doors remain open to all who can meet its high expectations. Every student, regardless of background or identity, should have the chance to excel within the rigorous and honorable framework that defines VMI. Hall has not previously served on the BOV and was not involved in the formulation or approval of VMI's DEI framework or the decision on the former Superintendent's contract. Hall brings his own life experience to the BOV. He's quoted in a July 10, 2025, Car Dealership Guy interview covering his own experiences and how they shaped his views: I was a dropout kid who grew up in East L.A., whose father was in prison. My mother, at 16, had me—had more drug problems than things you could ever imagine. I ended up in the Marine Corps, went into the auto industry by mistake, by accident, needed a job, baby was being born in 1979, and it's an industry that provides incredible opportunities, regardless of your race, your size, anything about you—your gender, what you think you are or not, what religion you ain't or is—it doesn't matter. Although the VMI Family will ultimately judge Mr. Hall on his actions as a BOV Member, his life path from adversity to success through the Marine Corps' meritocracy-based system reflects many of the same tenets articulated in J.T.L. Preston's Cives Part III that formed VMI's Founding principles. VMI's founding was never for the military defense of Virginia. At the heart of Preston's advocacy was a profound belief in the potential of education to uplift individuals and, by extension, society. He envisioned an institution where merit dictated opportunity rather than wealth or social standing. Cadets would receive a liberal education in return for future service to the state, fostering a self-sustaining cycle of public benefit. Lester Johnson '95: Prior Board Service and DEI Committee Role Lester Johnson Jr., a 1995 VMI graduate and Richmond business owner, was initially appointed to the Board of Visitors in 2018. During his prior tenure, Johnson served during the period in which the Board established a standing DEI Committee and adopted multiple DEI-related policies and operational directives. Johnson participated in board votes approving the comprehensive DEI framework summarized in the May 2021 document "VMI Reaffirms Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion", which details initiatives ranging from mandatory diversity education and the creation of a Chief Diversity Officer position to curriculum revisions and changes to ceremonial practices. Johnson also publicly defended the Board's actions during internal meetings and opposed efforts to reconsider or delay implementation of those policies. At the May 2025 BOV meeting, Mr. Johnson strongly advocated increasing the Athletic Department budget for National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) teams and for VMI's remaining in Division I. Mr. Johnson did not participate in the tradition for his Class's VMI Bomb and provided no photo, history, or comment on his time at VMI. From the 1995 Bomb: Lester Johnson, Jr.M.E/ Air ForceRichmond, VirginiaNo History Submitted Allen Damon Williams '90: Returning Board Member and Committee Participation Allen Damon Williams, a 1990 VMI graduate and banking executive, was first appointed to the BOV in 2021. During his prior service, Williams served on board subcommittees overseeing institutional culture and diversity initiatives, including committees that received regular reporting on DEI metrics, recruitment targets, and policy compliance. Williams served as the chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee over the DEI program, which VMI rebranded to Inclusive Excellence, when former Governor Youngkin ended DEI in Virginia's institutions of Higher Education. He voted in favor of the DEI initiatives outlined in the 2021 institutional summary, including the adoption of Delegate Jennifer Carroll Foy's "Seven Guiding Principles on DEI," the creation of a diversity dashboard, and the formal elevation of race- and gender-related complaints to a level comparable to Honor Code violations, as well as racial and gender-based criteria. Like Johnson, Williams rejoins the BOV while those policies remain substantially unchanged. From the 1990 Bomb: Allen Damon Williams Twin, "Butch" Air Force — Economics Roanoke, Virginia Varsity Basketball 4,3,2,1; New Cadet Retention Committee 1; Promaji Club 4,3,2,1; Monogram Club 4,3.2,1; Young Economists Society 1; Athletic Committee 1; The Boyz' Club Well the time has finally come for me to depart this FINE INSTITUTE, VMI. I would like to thank all of those who have given me support and strong encouragement during my hard and struggling years here. I particularly thank my loving parents who always stuck by my side when things got tough. I would also like to give thanks to Mrs. Davis for her help and support. Especially thanks to the LORD for guiding me in the right direction and keeping me in strong spirits. OF COURSE, I cannot forget my BIG BRO!! RAMON. BOY!! It's finally over — the sticks, status slips, pink slips, OCNI, the OCMNI, and our favorite Self Bone sheets. HA! HA! it's over!! To my roomies, Finnie D. and Ramon, GOOD LUCK!! We can't forget the fun and heartaches we spent together-especially the fun- Remember Spring Break '88! I have enjoyed it all, well almost. To my dykes and to the fellas — Work hard, think positive, and believe in yourself. GOOD LUCK. "C-YA" P.S. To Class of '90, May God bless us all! Ralph Northam '81: Author of the Investigation Letter and Prior Controversy Former Governor Ralph Northam, a 1981 VMI graduate, returns to the Institute in a governance role after initiating the state's 2020 investigation into VMI. In an October 19, 2020, letter to the VMI Board of Visitors, Northam and senior Democratic legislative leaders used powerful language to justify state intervention. The letter stated: "We write to express our deep concerns about the clear and appalling culture of ongoing structural racism at the Virginia Military Institute." The letter further asserted: "Black cadets at VMI have long faced repeated instances of racism on campus, including horrifying new revelations of threats about lynching… and even a professor who spoke fondly of her family's history in the Ku Klux Klan." Northam's letter concluded that: "…VMI cadets continue to be educated in a physical environment that honors the Confederacy and celebrates an inaccurate and dangerous 'Lost Cause' version of Virginia's history. It is long past time to consign these relics to the dustbin of history," and warned the Board that, "It is clear that internal action alone is no longer sufficient for VMI to join in the commitment to diversity and equity that the rest of Virginia's government is embracing." Northam ordered an independent investigation, directed funding through the state budget, and explicitly stated that "new forward-looking members will continue to be appointed to the Board of Visitors." Northam appointed Williams and Johnson as two such members. Blackface Scandal Context In 2019, just prior to his ordering the investigation into his alma mater, a scandal also marked Northam's governorship, involving a photograph from his Eastern Virginia Medical School yearbook page showing a man in blackface next to another in Ku Klux Klan robes. Northam initially acknowledged the photo, later denied appearing in it, and admitted to having worn blackface on a separate occasion. Northam declined to resign and completed his term in office after initiating the investigation into VMI. In parallel with Governor Spanberger's announcement, members of the broader "VMI family"—including cadets, alumni, and parents—were surveyed regarding the new Board of Visitors appointments. The survey results indicate that most respondents reported having no opinion on four of the five appointees, citing limited familiarity, while expressing near-universal and strongly negative views toward former Governor Ralph Northam. Ralph Shearer Northam "Goose. Coonman" Onancock. Va. Biology-Army/ Armor (1st cpl., 3), (1st sgt. 2), (1st B. Cmdr. 1), (Honor Court, President. 1). Three years ago a lanky denizen of the salty wastes of Virginias' Eastern Shore made the long haul to Lexington. Onancocks loss was VMIs' gain. Ralph adapted early to the ways of the "I", rising steadily up the rank structure, all the while earning the respect of his Brother Rats. It has been said that great honors are great burdens and in the final days of his cadetship. Ralph shouldered the greatest honor and the greatest burden that VMI can bestow. Yet, as always Ralph rose to the challenge and in his quiet, dedicated, unselfish way did honor to himself, the corps, and most of all to the code of conduct, whose preservation meant more to him than his own future. All the best Ralph. T.M.M. Not in the clamour of the crowed street, not in the shouts and plaudits of the throng, but in ourselves, are triumph and defeat . . . VMI Family's opinions on the appointments After the announcement, The Cadet distributed a survey to members of the broader VMI community, including alumni, parents, and cadets, and participation was voluntary. Although not as large as the VMI Alumni Agency's database, The Cadet reached almost 6,000 of its newsletter subscribers. Over 2,000 more viewed the social media posts. Responses were self-selected rather than drawn from a random sample, potentially leading to overrepresentation of individuals with stronger views. Hundreds of respondents left detailed written comments in the online survey, and more online, although The Cadet only collected survey comments submitted through the form. The survey did not weight responses by respondent category, class year, or geographic location. Importantly, The Cadet did not provide biographical or background information about any of the BOV appointees to avoid influencing or priming opinions. As a result, neutral responses—particularly for appointees other than former Governor Ralph Northam—likely reflect limited familiarity rather than indifference. Open-ended comments included in the results represent the personal opinions of respondents and should not be construed as verified factual claims. Despite these limitations, the results provide a snapshot of sentiment within a segment of the VMI community at the time Governor Spanberger announced her appointments. Overall Familiarity With Appointees When asked which of the new BOV members they had opinions on, 98.19% selected Former-Governor Ralph Northam, while fewer than 16% indicated having an opinion on any of the other appointees: - Michael Dick: 9.64%- Don Hall: 11.45%- Lester Johnson: 10.54%- Allen Damon Williams: 15.66%- Ralph Northam: 98.19% This disparity aligns with the approval data, which show that neutrality ("Neither agree nor disagree") was the majority response among all appointees except Northam. Approval and Disapproval by Appointee For Michael Dick '77, 51.36% of respondents selected "Neither agree nor disagree," with combined agreement (29.93%) exceeding combined disagreement (18.70%). Similar papers emerged for Don Hall, Lester Johnson, and Allen Damon Williams, each of whom received plurality neutral responses ranging from approximately 42% to 49%, suggesting limited public familiarity rather than consolidated opposition or support By contrast, responses regarding Governor Ralph Northam '81 were sharply polarized and overwhelmingly negative: - Strongly disagree: 87.62%- Disagree: 3.72%- Neutral: 1.24%- Agree or strongly agree (combined): 7.43% In total, more than 91% of respondents opposed Northam's appointment, with fewer than 1.3% indicating neutrality. For Dick, Hall, Johnson, and Williams, the largest single category was "Neutral," indicating limited familiarity. For Northam, opposition was overwhelming and concentrated in the "Strongly Disagree" category. A significant finding from these results is that reports in some media that VMI alumni are resisting or rejecting all of Governor Spanberger's appointments are false. Themes in Written Responses The survey included open-ended comment sections, producing several hundred written responses. While language varied in intensity, several consistent themes emerged, particularly regarding Northam: - Blackface scandal, overall credibility, and if truly mission-driven- Role in initiating the 2020 VMI investigation- Perceived politicization of the Institute and not allegiance to the institutions- Concerns about alumni relations and donor support Representative comments opposing Northam included: "Former Governor Northam brought shame to the Virginia Military Institute when his medical school yearbook photos showing him in blackface came to light." "He used VMI as a political pawn to save his own career and never defended the Institute." "I cannot in good conscience support Ralph Northam. He lacks the integrity and honor central to VMI's mission." Other respondents, including some who agreed with the changes to VMI, framed their objections in institutional rather than personal terms: "Northam is too divisive. His presence guarantees renewed conflict when the Institute needs stability." "This appointment reopens wounds that were beginning to heal." "Probably will cause me to cancel my 25th reunion pledge to VMI." Minority Views and Supportive Responses A small number of respondents expressed support for Northam or defended the governor's authority to make appointments: "Elections have consequences. The governor has the right to appoint whomever she chooses." "Concerned about Northam's history, but the other appointees seem reasonable." Positive comments were more frequently directed at Williams and Dick, often based on personal familiarity: "I personally know Damon Williams… he is honest, hardworking, and a true VMI man." "Michael Dick is my BR, and my roommate my Rat year. He is highly ethical and a former Marine. However, a member of the young Democrats when we were at VMI, on the liberal side, but a solid citizen." However, even respondents who supported individual appointees often distinguished those views from their opposition to Northam's inclusion. Implications for Governance The survey data suggest that opposition to the Board slate is not evenly distributed, but instead concentrated almost entirely on one appointee. This disparity indicates that sentiment toward Northam reflects preexisting knowledge and experience, while views of the other appointees are largely undeveloped. While most respondents indicated insufficient knowledge to form opinions on Dick, Hall, Johnson, or Williams, and so are willing to accept the governor at her word and evaluate them on their performance on the Board, Northam's appointment appears widely viewed as symbolic of a continuing political agenda. As Governor Spanberger has stated that her appointments are not intended to promote ideology, the contrast between that position and the survey results underscores the extent to which Northam's prior actions as governor continue to shape perceptions of institutional intent, regardless of the stated objectives of the current administration. Governance Context and Outstanding Policies The BOV remains responsible for policies adopted between 2020 and 2022, including the DEI framework approved by Johnson, Williams, and other members at that time. Those policies—covering curriculum, training, disciplinary standards, committee structures, and administrative offices—remain operative and have not been repealed or materially revised. Governor Spanberger's appointments alter the Board's composition but, by themselves, do not modify existing policy. Whether the Board will revisit, affirm, or increase those measures will depend on future votes. However, the strong opposition to Former-Governor Northam's appointment among alumni who provide over 40% of VMI's resources presents a challenge to VMI Superintendent Lt. Gen. Furness' "middle course" approach and to a return to a meritocracy-based VMI where any cadet, regardless of origin or background, is free to succeed if he or she meets the standard. The Cadet plans to continue soliciting feedback and reporting as the VMI Family becomes more familiar with the new and future BOV appointees who will give Governor Spanberger's administration a majority in May 2026. The Cadet is also reaching out to all new BOV Members, requesting individual interviews in order to provide the VMI Family with their positions on issues and objectives for VMI. Please consider donating to help The Cadet remain independent at www.thecadetfoundation.org. We do not receive any funds from VMI or VMI AA, remaining true to our founding to be the independent voice of the Corps and alumni since 1871. What is YOUR opinion? Take the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/R3VFTGZ