Reveille: A Call to Excel Reaches Its Initial Goal of $175 Million,
 Campaign Chairman Promises Continued Effort

On November 11, at the VMI Foundation's annual Institute Society Dinner, Mr. George G. Phillips, Jr., chairman of Reveille: A Call to Excel, announced that this comprehensive capital campaign had reached-and surpassed-its initial goal of $175 million in gifts and commitments, raising a total of $175.6 million.

This announcement represents a remarkable attainment in that Reveille has reached its initial goal more than two and a half years ahead of its scheduled completion date of June 30, 2005 and done so in a time of no little economic and international uncertainty.

In his speech, Mr. Phillips recognized VMI's retiring Superintendent, Lieutenant General Josiah Bunting III '63, for his leadership in the campaign, saying, "One of the contributions that General Bunting made to the Institute has been his steadfast devotion to the Reveille campaign. He was present at the creation, helping set the campaign's priorities and goals and articulating why they were important to the Institute's future development. Since the campaign's beginning, he has been an energetic leader. He has traveled extensively on behalf of Reveille, meeting with donors wherever and whenever asked."

Mr. Phillips, however, cautioned the cheering audience that, while Reveille already has enjoyed enormous success, the work of the campaign was by no means over. "VMI's needs must be met, its progress must be maintained, and we must continue to strive for self-sufficiency in light of dwindling state aid. Therefore, this effort will continue until its scheduled finish at the end of June 2005."

Reveille: A Call to Excel is a multi-year effort to raise the private support needed to improve every aspect of the extraordinary undergraduate education offered by the Virginia Military Institute, the nation's oldest state-supported military college.