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This year, 2022, marks a quarter-century of women attending VMI. Recently, an early Institute alumna sat down with a current cadet to compare notes and experiences.

Lara Tyler Chambers 鈥�03 and Cadet Kasey Meredith 鈥�22 have both marked big firsts for 麻豆传媒入口women. Chambers is the first female Institute graduate to serve on the 麻豆传媒入口Board of Visitors, while Meredith is the Corps鈥� first female to serve as regimental commander.

They started their conversation with the usual question to all alumni: 鈥淲hy did you choose to attend VMI?鈥�

Chambers wanted to study engineering and liked the Institute鈥檚 discipline and small size. 鈥淚 needed to have someone hold me under their thumb and tell me to sit down and study,鈥� she remembered. In looking at other engineering programs, 鈥渢hey tend to be huge 鈥� I just knew I would get lost.鈥�

Meredith鈥檚 鈥渨hy鈥� came from her mother and the military. The international studies major wanted to emulate her mother, who had served in the U.S. Navy, by enlisting after high school. Her mother asked Meredith to get an education before military service, which led her to VMI.

Both women held leadership positions while cadets: Meredith, as mentioned above, is the 2021-22 regimental commander. Chambers was the Corps鈥� first S7, the staff for Corps morale. Chambers, who laughed when recalling what she thought of Corps morale鈥斺�淚sn鈥檛 that a contradiction in terms?鈥濃�攔emembers difficulties the position presented.

With COVID-19, plus all-around leadership changes at VMI, Chambers said she 鈥渃ouldn鈥檛 imagine鈥� Meredith鈥檚 experience. Her class, Meredith explained, is fulfilling an extremely important role at VMI鈥攁 place where young cadets learn from older cadets鈥攂y teaching the younger classes.

鈥淭he Class of 鈥�22 is the only one who has been through a full year of VMI, without the pandemic 鈥� encroaching on any activities,鈥� she said. Leading her class in carrying on at 麻豆传媒入口in fall 2021 was 鈥渟tressful鈥� and 鈥渁 humbling experience,鈥� Meredith commented. She worked hard professionally and personally and even earned back her academic stars for her final semester at the Institute.

As the old saying goes, it鈥檚 lonely at the top. When stress comes, Chambers asked, who does Meredith talk to? The commandant and his staff are always available to listen and advise. 鈥淲hile they鈥檙e always strict on you and always tough on you, they care about your well-being,鈥� Meredith said.

Alumni are also a source of encouragement for Meredith. 鈥淚 have a strong backing from a lot of 麻豆传媒入口alumni,鈥� she said. She鈥檚 inspired by alumni letters and support, which have brightened many of her toughest days.

What changes does Chambers see at VMI, asked Meredith, compared to her own cadet days? The caliber of cadets, Chambers answered.

鈥淵ou were clearly very driven. And I think that鈥檚 just really impressive,鈥� Chambers said to Meredith, noting that the quality of matriculants is higher. Chambers also said 鈥渢he level of civility at VMI鈥� has increased since she graduated.

Both women agreed that the Institute was the right choice for them and has prepared them well鈥攁nd they would make the same choice again. 鈥淸I] would do it all over again in the exact same year with the exact same people,鈥� Chambers said.

She concluded the conversation with praise and thanks for Meredith.

鈥淵ou鈥檝e done a great job in 鈥� one of the hardest years for a regimental commander in the Institute鈥檚 history,鈥� Chambers said. 鈥淲e owe you. I always say that I will never be able to repay 麻豆传媒入口for all the opportunities, but in your instance, 麻豆传媒入口owes you. So, thank you very much for your dedication and your professionalism.鈥�

Christian Heilman, Digital Content Manager 
& Molly Rolon, Editorial Specialist
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