Lexington, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - The Board of Visitors of the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) has decided not to renew retired Maj. Gen. Cedric Wins’ contract as superintendent.
Wins is the first Black superintendent in the history of the military college, and the move has sparked backlash.
Friday’s decision comes after debate among Virginia lawmakers about whether Wins’ tenure should be extended or whether efforts to retain him were based solely on efforts to sustain a diversity, equity, and inclusion agenda.
The decision to oust Wins took more than two hours of deliberation in a closed-door meeting. There was reportedly no discussion of board members’ views during the board’s public session.
Ultimately, the board rejected Wins’ contract extension by a 6 to 10 vote. All ten board members who voted against an extension for Wins were appointed by Gov. Youngkin.
Wins’ tenure will end on June 30.
In a statement following the decision, House Speaker Don Scott (D-Portsmouth) expressed disappointment over the decision.
“This decision by the VMI Board is not based on performance or character —it is purely political,” said Scott.
