He’s shattering glass ceilings!
Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins is making history as the first Black man to lead the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), Black Enterprise reports.
Wins was named interim superintendent of VMI recently, voted in by the Board of Visitors Executive Committee. Wins graduated from VMI in 1985, playing on the basketball team while there and leading them to the Southern Conference finals his freshman year. He graduated as one of the top five scorers in VMI history. He went on to earn two master’s degrees, one from the Florida Institute of Technology in management and another from the National War College in national security and strategic studies.
The major general is also a 34-year U.S. Army veteran having held numerous titles over the last three decades, including serving in the Headquarters Department of the Army and the Joint Staff at the Pentagon. He has also garnered several awards, including the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit Medal, and the Bronze Star Medal.
John William Boland, president of the VMI Board of Visitors, spoke about Wins’ appointment, saying, “The VMI Board of Visitors is pleased that Maj. Gen. Wins has agreed to lead the Institute during this critical time of transition…I am confident that Maj. Gen. Wins’ experience and values will provide steady and principled leadership as we continue to move the Institute forward.”
Maj. Gen. Wins will take over for General J.H. Binford Peay III, who has served as superintendent since 2003. Peay resigned last month amidst reports of widespread racism at VMI. Wins will become the 15th superintendent at VMI and the first Black man ever to hold the title. The major general said he’s looking forward to helping shape the next generation of service members and credits VMI with helping mold him into the man he is today.
“I am excited to return to VMI, a place that had an extraordinary impact on me as a leader and person. Now, more than ever, the lessons and values of VMI are needed in the world, and I am humbled to be a part of making that happen. I most look forward to leading the cadets and ensuring we have a safe and successful conclusion to the academic year, hit the ground running during the spring sports season, and continue fulfilling our vital mission of producing educated and honorable men and women,” Wins said.
Congratulations, Major General Wins!
Photo Courtesy of U.S. Army Professional Forum/YouTube/Black Enterprise