On June 10 Teddy Gottwald, president of the Virginia Military Institute Board of Visitors, wrote a letter to House Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, in response to Surovell’s statement justifying the Privileges & Elections Committee vote to block four of Governor Glenn Youngkin’s nominees to the VMI Board. The letter is somewhat old news at this point, but it didn’t get the attention it warranted, so I publish it here to keep readers apprised of developments at VMI. — JAB

Dear Senator Surovell,

Thank you for your email and letter dated June 9th. I appreciate your input regarding the governance and oversight of Virginia’s colleges and universities. It is helpful to know the concerns you expressed in your letter, and I can assure you that the VMI Board of Visitors shares your desire for good and proper governance.

The General Assembly in January chose to reject two highly qualified and capable alumni appointees to our BOV with little explanation, leaving us to wonder about the reasoning. Quintin Elliott served for more than twenty years in the Virginia Air National Guard and was later named Deputy Secretary of Transportation by Governor Northam. Clifford Foster is a highly respected financial professional who has given back to VMI extensively. Both were expected to strengthen our Board Finance Committee. The three alumni nominees in question today are all equally qualified. José Suárez is a U.S. Navy veteran, an accomplished businessman and expert on green energy. Steve Reardon is a respected lawyer who served in the US Army and Army Reserve. Jon Hartsock is a twenty-year veteran of the US Army — a combat veteran who later served with distinction in leadership positions at VMI. I respectfully take exception to any suggestion that these five individuals somehow do not possess the judgment, character, or willingness to follow good governance practices per your letter. 

Your letter also suggests that Governor Youngkin has given our BOV members binding directives to follow, in conflict with proper governance. I am not aware of any directive, binding or otherwise, that the Governor has given members of our BOV. I believe that any suggestion of that sort has no basis in fact. In February, our Board voted to not extend the contract of our Superintendent, Major General Cedric Wins. This tough decision has been unpopular with some, and due to the sensitive nature of this personnel matter, the BOV has not commented on it. Our decision was based on several years of performance reviews, together with an assessment of our institutional needs, and then made after thoughtful and thorough discussion. Governor Youngkin was not involved in this decision, nor am I aware of any directive or guidance from the Governor on this decision to any Board member. 

The VMI Board of Visitors has received guidance from the Secretary of Education regarding the State’s desire to keep Virginia schools affordable. We share that concern and have also had extensive discussions on tuition and fee increases. On this, we have been aligned with Executive Branch guidance, but our decisions have been based on what we feel is best for VMI, and not on any binding directives.

If you have heard of any undue interference from Governor Youngkin with any of our Board members, I ask you to share the specifics of that information with me. Our Board takes seriously the Code of Virginia and our bylaws, and we have a strong desire to see VMI operate independent of improper political interference so that we can continue to produce educated and honorable men and women, many of whom then serve our State and our Country with distinction. I welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss this matter further.

Sincerely,

Thomas E. Gottwald

President

VMI Board of Visitors