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The founders and the Board of SMI believe that a strong
Christian foundation is essential for any educational program, therefore SMI is first and foremost a Christian based college. The teaching of Christian principles, values, and beliefs in a non-denominational
setting is the corner stone of Southern Military Institute.
With a belief in the proven validity of single sex education, SMI is an all-male institution. It takes its place with only two all-male
colleges remaining in the United States, and it will be the only remaining all-male four-year military college. The SMI approach is not a statement against co-educational programs that are common place, but
rather it is a statement in favor of single sex education (male or female) that we believe still has a place in our nation.
The concept of the American citizen soldier is as old as our nation itself.
Likewise, an education in a military setting is a time proven approach to educating young men for positions of great responsibility. SMI fully supports these concepts. For those who desire an association
with a formal military organization, SMI will work closely with the National Guard of the Southern states to help prepare young men to assume roles as officers in the Army and Air National Guard.
Southern
traditions that have been tarnished and almost lost will live again at SMI. The concept of an officer and a Southern gentleman will be the standard, not the exception. Honesty, integrity, courtesy, and
respect for all men and women regardless of race, position, or economic standing will be taught and required. SMI cadets will be taught the strong points and the weak points of Southern history. All
Southerners have a right to reclaim the icons of their history and to learn the values so uniquely associated with the Southern way of life. At SMI these values will to be shared by all cadets without exception.
To these ends, the Southern Military Institute was officially formed 20 August 1997 and was incorporated on 4 September 1997 as a non-profit educational institution in the State of Alabama. The
founder is Dr. Michael J. Guthrie (VMI 1977). The initial members of the corporation were Dr. Guthrie of Madison, AL, Dr. T. Conley Powell of Tullahoma, TN, and Mr. Stanley Poston (VMI 1974) of Newberry,
SC. These men were greatly assisted and encouraged by Mr. Bernie R. Groome (VMI 1971) and Mr. Thomas M, Moncure (VMI 1973). The intent of the incorporators was to establish a private all-male military
college modeled after the original Virginia Military Institute, which was established in Lexington, VA on 11 November 1839.
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