press release

VMDO Architects celebrates Leadership and Ethics Center Groundbreaking at the Virginia Military Institute

vmi.edu

Joining in the ceremony (2nd row) was BG Charles F. Brower, IV, Deputy Superintendent and Dean of Faculty, Mrs. Nancy Gottwald, Cadet Thomas Gottwald, grandson and a third year VMI cadet, and BG Robert L. Green, Deputy Superintendent, Finance, Administration, and Support; (3rd row) Blair Engle;Barton Malow Project Executive; Ken Thacker VMDO Project Manager; Lt. Col. Dale Brown, VMI Director of Construction; Lt. Col. Jay Williams, Director of VMI Physical Plant; Turner Perrow, VMI Construction Office Project Manager; Paul Hahn, Barton Malow Superintendent; and David Oakland,VMDO Principal in Charge. VMI photo by Kevin Remington.

LEXINGTON, Va. Dec. 19, 2006 -- General J.H. Binford Peay III, VMI's Superintendent, and Mr. Bruce Gottwald, Chairman of the Richmond, Va., based New Market Corporation and a 1954 VMI graduate, accompanied by his wife, Nancy, participated in the official groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the Leadership and Ethics Center (LEC) behind Smith Hall.

The groundbreaking is another major step in Virginia Military Institute's historic mission to produce educated and honorable leaders for Virginia and the nation after announcing in fall 2004 the establishment of a Leadership Ethics and Leadership at the Institute.

Mr. Gottwald has taken a leading role by committing unrestricted gifts to the VMI Foundation that is being used to structure funding for the construction and initial programming of the Center. Mr. Gottwald is a major supporter of VMI, has served as President of its Board of Visitors, and has had an extraordinary lifelong devotion and commitment to the Institute.

In announcing the LEC in November, 2004, General Peay, said, "The ability to host major events will benefit cadets by developing a synergy between VMI's internationally recognized academic program and its reputation for developing leaders such as George C. Marshall, a 1901 graduate, Army Chief of Staff during World War II, Secretary of State, and Nobel Peace Prize recipient. Mr. Gottwald's generous gift helps us build this vital facility and gives us a strong start towards establishing the endowed leadership programs that will become a hallmark of the Institute." Mr. Gottwald said at the time believes the Institute's mission of transforming young men and women into tomorrow's leaders is more important today than ever. "VMI is well known for the leadership qualities of its graduates," he said, "and a Leadership and Ethics Center will further help to prepare cadets for the leadership roles they will be asked to assume, whether in the military, in the boardroom, in government service, or in any of the areas where our nation needs leaders."

The Center will include a 500-seat auditorium, banquet seating for 800 people, meeting rooms, and other amenities that will allow VMI to house the Center's director, teaching staff, visiting professors, and host major symposia and conferences.

The Center will also add to the cultural richness of VMI, as its auditorium will become the home of the VMI Theatre and a venue for performing arts presentations by the cadets to the Corps and surrounding community.

The Center will be located on the VMI Post in close proximity to the George C. Marshall Foundation's Library and Museum. The anticipated completion for construction is in the fall 2008. The creation of a Center for Ethics and Leadership is considered a key element in "Vision 2039," the plan to help ensure VMI is a relevant and vibrant military college when it reaches the 200th anniversary of its founding in 2039.

VMDO Architects was founded in 1976 and is the youngest firm to receive the T. David Fitz-Gibbon Virginia Architecture Award, the most prestigious honor given by the Virginia Society of American Institute of Architects.

For further information, interview, and photography opportunities in reference to this project and VMDO Architects, please contact William Bishop at 434.296.5684, email at bishop@vmdo.com.