VWIL Alum Corps

VWIL · noun (1). v·will.

     1. : abbreviation for Virginia Women’s Institute for Leadership;

    2. : a signature program at Mary Baldwin University (MBU) in Staunton, Virginia, established by Dr. Brenda Bryant — the program’s founder and first director, and Dr. Cynthia Tyson — the university’s then president, in 1995, for educating and preparing the thinkers, change-makers and women leaders of tomorrow

alum · noun (1). al·​um ˈa-ləm.

     1. : a graduate of the Virginia Women’s Institute for Leadership (VWIL) program at Mary Baldwin University (MBU) in Staunton, Virginia;

     2. : an individual who participated in the VWIL program for a period of time but who did not graduate from VWIL or MBU;

     3. : an individual who supports the graduates of the program and the organization that brings them all together

corps · noun (1). /kôr/.

     1. : a body of people engaged in a particular activity

Formed in 2021, the VWIL Alum Corps is the unified network of graduates of MBU-VWIL organized for fellowship, networking, and historical preservation. Programs designed by the organization’s leadership team are intended to nurture interpersonal relationships among members, and support the growth and advancement of, first and foremost, the VWIL Alum Corps, then the VWIL program, MBU, the Staunton community, and communities of women at large.

Alums — as defined by the VWIL Alum Corps — are individuals who had the unique experience of spending time in the VWIL program. Whether by completing the program and graduating, or only participating for a time, is irrelevant. The VWIL Alum Corps recognizes the unique experiences of VWIL alums, and serves to create a community of women connecting with, supporting, and advocating on behalf of other women, and women-identified individuals.

The VWIL Alum Corps is a leading woman-operated, diversity-centric organization; example of feminist leadership; and pillar within the communities it serves.

The group is organized under the values of inclusion, fairness, transparency, compassion, and accountability.

Captions
Above: From left to right, VWIL alums Kaylyn (Lonergan) Wood ‘16, Emily Hope Carroll ‘16, and Taylor Patterson ‘16, pointed to their bricks outside the SMA-VWIL Museum on the Mary Baldwin University (MBU) campus on Friday, April 8, 2022;
Below: A group of VWIL alums from the classes of 1999 to 2018, marched behind the VWIL Corps of Cadets during the reunion weekend parade on Saturday, April 9, 2022.