History of the Class of 2026

Editor's note: For those news to the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), the term "Dyke" used by the Corps comes from its original definition going back over 180 years to VMI's founding. As covered on the VMI website, "...a dyke is a first-class cadet who mentors a rat, or a new cadet, during the Rat Line. The dyke-rat relationship is a traditional part of VMI life, and dykes serve as role models and big brothers or sisters to their rats. Dykes help rats understand Corps life, achieve their goals, and navigate the challenges of their first year. They also provide moral support and advice, and are often available on the first stoop of the barracks." The origin of the term "dyke" refers to the white straps that cadets wear across their chests to hold equipment in uniform. In that context it symbolizes the life-long bonds of support for each other VMI cadets and alumni are known for. As the Class of 2026 finally receive their rings, it's worth looking into the history of their Dykeline as they pass this historic milestone in their cadetship. In theory, '26's Dykeline started in 1840 with the second class to graduate from VMI and since then, this particular Dykeline established itself as (arguably) the most accomplished in VMI's history. It includes 3 Medal of Honor Recipients, 5 VMI Superintendents, 2 VMI Commandants, 1 Rhodes Scholar, multiple professional athletes, and many who died on the Field of Honor just to name a few. The earliest notable graduate in '26's Dykeline is Benjamin F. Ficklin, Class of 1849. Ficklin was one of the founders of the Pony Express, the cross-county postal service that was in service from 1860-1861. While at VMI, Ficklin was known as a prankster. His most infamous prank was shooting a cannon at barracks which resulted in his suspension. He was later readmitted after serving in the Mexican-American War. Fifteen years after Ficklin's graduation, VMI Cadets fought in the Battle of New Market. Every Cadet to pass through VMI since the 1900's had to memorize the Ten New Market Cadets who "Died on the Field of Honor"- 7 of the 10 New Market Cadets are in '26's Dykeline. The following New Market Cadets were in the Class of 1867: Thomas Garland Jefferson, Henry Jenner Jones, Charles Gay Crockett, Jaqueline Beverly Stanard, Luther Cary Haynes, Joseph Christopher Wheelwright, and William McDowell. 30 years after New Market, VMI would graduate one of the most distinguished classes in history. The Class of 1894 included Charles E. Kilbourne, a Medal of Honor and Distinguished Service Cross recipient as well as 6th Superintendent of VMI, Cary D. Langhorne, another Medal of Honor recipient and William H. Cocke, the 1st winner of the Jackson-Hope Medal and VMI's 4th Superintendent. Twenty one years after the Legendary Class of 1894, Richard Marshall would graduate as a member of the Class of 1915. Marshall served in the US Army, rose to the rank of Major General and would later serve as VMI's 7th Superintendent. Randolph M. Pate, the 21st Commandant of the Marine Corps graduated with the Class of 1921. One of the most famous VMI alumni who is in '26's Dykeline is Sun Li-jen, Class of 1927. Sun was a Chinese Nationalist General who is best known for his leadership during the 2nd Sino-Japanese War, especially during the Battle of Shanghai in 1937 and the Allied Burma Campaign. The Allies credited Sun for taking Burma back from Japanese Forces. For his actions, he was knighted by King George VI and awarded the Legion of Merit by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Following the 2nd Sino- Japanese War, lead his army in the Chinese Civil War but was relieved of command by Chiang Kai-shek because he did not trust Sun's foreign military education. Following Sun's graduation, the Class of 1939 would graduate Major General Richard L. Irby, VMI's 10th Superintendent. The 3rd Medal of Honor Recipient in '26's Dykeline is Edward R.Schowalter Jr, VMI Class of 1951, commended for his actions in the Korean War. So far, most of the successful alumni in '26's Dykeline are accomplished military personnel but in 1954, that would begin to include athletes '26's Dykeline's career paths and accomplishments. Joe Fortunato, Class of 1954 was drafted by the Chicago Bears as a linebacker. Fortunato would go on to play 12 seasons with the Bears and was a 5x Pro Bowler. His Brother Rat, Major General John W. Knapp became VMI's 12th Superintendent. Nine years following the Class of 1954, Josiah Bunting III, a Rhodes Scholar and VMI's 13th Superintendent and James E. Brown III, Former President of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots and Fellow of Royal Aeronautical Society both graduated in the Class of 1963. Following them, John P. Jumper, 17th Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, graduated with the Class of 1966. Years later, Ron Carter Jr, Class of 1978, became 1st VMI player selected in the NBA Draft. Carter was drafted in the 2nd Round (16th Overall) by the Los Angeles Lakers. While at VMI, Carter was the Southern Conference (SOCON) Player of the Year in both 1977 and 1978 in addition to being on the SOCON First Team between 1976-1978. The VMI Basketball Team retired number 13 in his honor. While Carter was a first class cadet, the 58th Commandant of Cadets, Adrian T. Bogart III, and the 73rd Governor of Virginia, Ralph S. Northam were Rats who later became the Class of 1981. Col. "Wild Bill" Wanovich, former Commandant of Cadets, graduated with the Class of 1987. The Class of 2026's Dykleline also had 5 die on the Field of Honor in the War on Terror: Lowell T. Miller II '93, Paul R. Syverson III '93, James C. Edge '96, Luke C. Wullenwaber '02, and William L. McMillan III '08. A scholarship was announced in honor of Edge by the Class of 1996 following their recent reunion. McMillan's Brother Rat Reggie L. Williams led Division I Basketball in scoring for two consecutive seasons. Williams went to the NBA as an undrafted free agent playing teams such as Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, and Golden State Warriors between 2008 and 2019. After the 2024 Presidential Election, 47th President-elect Donald J. Trump appointed Col. Michael Waltz '96 as the National Security Advisor for the Trump administration. Col. Waltz served as active duty from 1996 to 2000 and has served in the National Guard since then. In his time with the Green Berets has been awarded four bronze stars and those of those were for valor. Until his appointment by President-elect Trump, he represented Florida's 6th congressional district where he was a part of the House China Task Force with 15 Republican lawmakers representing 14 committees of jurisdiction to coordinate policy on China. Additionally, the Class of 2026's Dykeline had many momentous events in their history. Most notably, the first females to graduate from VMI and in '26's Dykeline. Chih-Yuan Ho and Melissa Kay Graham both graduated with the Class of 1999 but were technically in the Class of 2001. Ho was a Tawinese Cadet who graduated with distinction and earned a Psychology Degree. Ho was also the first female to hold rank in the VMI Corps (Color CPL). Following graduation, Ho applied for US citizenship with the intent to serve in the US Navy. Graham was a transfer student from New Mexico Military Institute. She graduated with distinction and earned a Psychology Degree while being a member of the Cross Country and Track teams. After graduating, Graham commissioned in the US Army and branched Field Artillery. Another momentous event in '26's Dykeline came with the Class of 2011 when they became the first class to live in 3rd Barracks when it was jokingly called "New 'New Barracks'". Their class ring has the outline of 3rd barracks in recognition of the occasion. Another momentous occasion in '26's Dykeline is when the Class of 2020 became the first class to graduate away from VMI and was the first class to experience the longest shutdown period of VMI both due to COVID-19. In January of 2024, the Class of 2023 experienced a hard loss, 2LT Chin-En Hsiao '23 succumbed to his injuries after a car accident. He was well known among his brother rats as a humorous personality, a caring friend, and champion of Cocke Hall's gym. He was the best of us, but never let that go to his head. The impact he made in everyone's life will never be forgotten, he will never be forgotten. RAH '23. This telling of '26's dykeline serves to showcase the best of the best of VMI and the historical milestones they reached. While there are legions of alumni in '26's Dykeline who are still alive and proud of what they accomplished, there is simply not enough space to present the full history of the best dykeline to ever pass through VMI! Congratulations to the Class of 2026, my Brother Rats, on finally getting the Ring! Only one more milestone left in our cadetship - graduation. For Reference: All the Classes in '26 Dykeline 2026, 2023, 2020, 2017, 2014, 2011, 2008, 2005, 2002, 1999, 1996, 1993, 1990, 1987, 1984, 1981, 1978, 1975, 1972, 1969, 1966, 1963, 1960, 1957, 1954, 1951, 1948, 1945, 1942, 1939, 1936, 1933, 1930, 1927, 1924, 1921, 1918, 1915, 1912, 1909, 1906, 1903, 1900, 1897, 1894, 1891, 1888, 1885, 1882, 1879, 1876, 1873, 1870, 1867, 1864, 1861, 1858, 1855, 1852, 1849, 1846, 1843, 1840