VMI cadets sound alarm as Democrats weigh funding cuts to historic school
Senior cadet leaders told Fox News Digital that VMI’s culture promotes unity, leadership, and service, disputing claims that racism and sexism remain entrenched at the school.
Cadets at the Virginia Military Institute went to bat for the historic military college after Virginia Democrats introduced legislation to investigate VMI in a move that would potentially revoke state funding and even close the school’s doors for good.
Cadets Michael Ferrara, regimental S3 captain, and Devin Auzenne, regimental commander, sat down for an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital to discuss the core values of VMI, and dispute some of the allegations that have pushed Virginia Democrats to threaten the institution.
"I would say on the cadet side, there's a little bit of confusion," Ferrara told Fox. "One of the bills questions the contribution that VMI contributes to the commonwealth of the state and this school produces nothing but prestigious men and women ready to serve the country."
Cadet Auzenne marches forward during VMI's 2026 Founders Day Parade. (Courtesy of VMI)
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"We've had approximately 300 generals and flag officers coming from the Virginia Military Institute," Ferrara added. "We've had seven Medal of Honor recipients, 11 Rhodes Scholars, one Nobel Prize winner."
Ferrara graduates from VMI this spring, and is commissioned to serve in the U.S. Air Force as a developmental engineer. He told Fox he attended VMI because he wanted to serve the country.
The Virginia Democrat-led state assembly introduced two resolutions that could potentially alter the future of VMI. HB 1377 would establish a task force to evaluate whether the school should remain funded by the state and HB 1374 would dissolve the college’s Board of Visitors and hand oversight of the school to the state of Virginia.
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If VMI were to lose state funding, it is likely that the school would not survive.
Regimental Commander Devin Auzenne speaking with VMI Commandant Col. Lawrence Havird on Founders Day 2026. (Courtesy of VMI)
In 2021, then-Democratic Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam ordered a state-sanctioned audit of VMI focused on allegations of racism and sexism tied to the school’s DEI policies. The investigation took place during President Joe Biden's first full year in office, a period marked by an aggressive expansion of DEI initiatives across universities and corporate America.
One of the newly elected Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger's first moves after taking office was appointing Northam to VMI’s Board of Visitors, a decision that drew sharp criticism from Republicans.
Virginia Democrats, including those behind the resolution, have implied that racism and sexism still exist at the military college. The cadets were quick to deny these claims.
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"My two roommates, they look nothing like me, come from completely different places, worship different gods," Auzenne told Fox News Digital. "My roommates, including Mike, who [was my] rat roommate, these are the people who I can call my brothers, my family, my friends, and anytime I ever need them, they'll always be here for me."
Republican lawmakers have blamed Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger and renewed DEI efforts for what they describe as an ideological push that could jeopardize the nation’s oldest state-supported military college. (Zachary Wajsgras for The Washington Post via Getty Images; Win McNamee/Getty Images)
"I can say VMI is the most inclusive environment that I have ever been a part of," Auzenne added.
Auzenne graduates from VMI this spring, and plans to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps. He told Fox, "At the end of the four years [at VMI], they're going to pin gold bars onto me, and I'm going to be expected to know how to lead Marines."
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The regimental commander went on to explain that cadets abide by the VMI Honor Code, which focuses on several core principals, including a stand against intolerance.
"One or three of the lines are, a cadet is a leader, a character who offers equal respect, treatment and understanding to all," Auzenne explained. "A cadet stands against intolerance, prejudice, discrimination, hate and oppression."
The Corps of Cadets from the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) marches during an inauguration ceremony for Abigail Spanberger at Capitol Square in Richmond on Jan. 17, 2026. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
"A third one would be a cadet that productively communicates, lives and works with people from many backgrounds and, in my personal experience, not only is this what has been taught here, this has been what has been taught here for decades," Auzenne told Fox.
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VMI has been home to many decorated graduates, including President Donald Trump's ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, and Gen. John "Dan" Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The famed Gen. George Marshall, who was a crucial part of the Allied victory in World War II and later served as President Harry S. Truman’s secretary of state, graduated from VMI in 1901. Marshall won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1953 for his Marshall Plan, which was integral in the economic restructuring of Europe after the war.
Gen. George C. Marshall, who graduated from VMI in 1901, with Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, waving to spectators upon returning to the U.S. after victory in Europe, Washington, D.C., June 18, 1945. (Abbie Rowe/PhotoQuest/Getty Images)
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The future of the military institution and its cadets now lies with Virginia’s Democrat-led General Assembly and Spanberger, and the cadets say they both believe the legislation currently introduced in assembly "would not be in the best interest of the school."
Preston Mizell is a writer with Fox News. Story tips can be sent to Preston.Mizell@fox.com and on X @MizellPreston
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