Thread by @JCarrollFoy

Given the misinformation & barrage of attacks by Thomas Gottwald (VMI ‘83), Spirit of VMI PAC, MAGA Republican Ben Cline, John Adams (VMI ‘96) & others, during this Black History Month, in the spirit of Shirley Chisholm of being “unbought and unbossed,” I want to be clear.

VMI Board of Visitors President, McGuire Woods partner and Republican John Adams called me repeatedly and informed me that the VMI Board of Visitors no longer wants a Black Superintendent.

The majority of VMI Board of Visitors has been appointed by MAGA Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin. The Gottwalds have donated over $500,000 to Youngkin directly or through the Spirit of VMI PAC which Thomas Gottwald is the top donor.

baconsrebellion.com/youngkin-appoi…

“The [Spirit of VMI] SoVP has counseled and advised Governor Youngkin on EACH and EVERY member that he has appointed to The BOV. We now have a majority of the BOV Members (13 of 17) as Youngkin appointees.”

Source- the Sentinel Newsletter – July 16, 2024

“Members of the Spirit of VMI, a political action committee comprising alumni, parents and friends of the school, have argued that DEI is ‘unnecessary,’ promotes racial division and urge others to ‘reject the woke assault on VMI.’”

amp.cnn.com/cnn/2023/06/02…

Members of the VMI Board and the Spirit of VMI, forget that General Wins was recruited to lead the Institute through a tumultuous time

washingtonpost.com/local/at-vmi-b…

I reminded Republican Adams that history-making and well-decorated Superintendent General Wins has served this country and VMI with distinction.

In fact, VMI recently awarded Superintendent Wins with a $100,00 bonus for his performance. In addition, Superintendent Wins has either met or exceeded his overall Management by Objectives that were set, reviewed & approved by the BOV every year since 2021. They also approved his strategic plan for the Institute.

Lastly, there was never any tangible feedback that he failed to effectively lead VMI in the right direction or was leading the Institute down the wrong path.

The anti-DEI rhetoric is for the expression of fear about the “browning” of this country, for the disdain for the inroads that Black people are making despite the barriers that were placed before them, for the feelings that Black leaders are always inferior so they do not belong in positions of power so they must be removed.

Everyone should be highly concerned by MAGA Republicans’ attacks on military Generals who have exceptionally served this country.

Despite what is happening on the federal level, I will always defend our military members from unjust attacks.

twincities.com/2025/02/21/tru…

In Virginia, we know that our diversity is our strength. Fanning the flames of racism and racial tension is not who we are as Virginians and has no place on our boards.