Recent Advancement News
MMI Programs Receive $10K in Support from AL Rep. Ralph Howard
8.11.11 Representative Ralph Howard, state representative for Perry County and the surrounding Black Belt region presented Colonel David Mollahan, President of Marion Military Institute, with a check for $10,000 at a brief ceremony at Vaiden Field Airport on Aug. 10. The funds constitute the congressman’s discretionary support for two entities important to Perry County and the Black Belt.
Three thousand dollars was dedicated to the Alabama Military Hall of Honor. The Hall of Honor, located on the MMI campus, is a state institution that honors Alabama military men and women who have distinguished themselves through extraordinary service and heroism as members of the United States Armed Forces. The funds will be used to continue the effort to identify worthy recipients, procure the designated bronze plaques, and support the Hall’s military history museum.
Seven thousand dollars was dedicated to the support of the MMI Flying Tigers flight training program. The flight training program is a joint venture between Marion Military Institute, Perry County Airport and Industrial Authority and Sanders Flight Training Center, and constitutes the first commercial aeronautical activity at Vaiden Field Airport. The funds will be utilized to furnish and equip the newly constructed airport lounge and training facility. Last year the fledgling flight program succeeded in certifying four MMI cadets as private pilots, and achieved first solo flights for four others. All of the cadets participating anticipate flying careers in the military, and most went on to one of the US military academies. This year’s flight training program promises to be significantly larger with thirteen cadets already enrolled before school registration. In addition to the recruiting value to MMI, the flight training program is important to Vaiden Field Airport as its largest customer for aviation fuel sales and it significantly increases the flight operations rate which is used to justify state and federal grants for infrastructure improvements.
Pictured: Perry County Airport Director COL Bill Hansen, Rep. Ralph Howard, and MMI President COL David Mollahan
Presidential Advisory Council Meets in Marion
6.7.11 The MMI Presidential Advisory Council (PAC) held its most recent meeting on June 3, 2011 at the Excess House. The group is pictured wearing new Army ROTC hats presented by LTC Sean Ryan, MMI Professor of Military Science.
Board of Trustees Meets in Marion 
5.25.11 The Marion Military Institute Board of Trustees & Advisors held its most recent meeting on May 6, 2011, one day prior to Graduation. The group is pictured wearing new Army ROTC hats presented by LTC Sean Ryan, MMI Professor of Military Science.
Senator Shelby Visits Marion
3.28.11 Marion Military Institute hosted U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (AL) for a brief visit on March 22. While on campus, he met with MMI senior staff and community leaders in the Chapel and fielded several questions.
Mooty Selected as Chairman of the MMI Foundation Board of Trustees & Advisors
12.15.10 MMI is proud to announce that Mr. H. Dean Mooty, Jr. of Montgomery, Ala., has been chosen as Chairman of its Board of Trustees and Advisors. Mooty, an MMI high school and college alumnus, is the owner and founder of the Montgomery-based law firm of Mooty & Associates, P.C. Mooty’s selection as Chairman comes on the heels of Mr. Taylor D. Wilkins, Jr.’s decision to step down as Chairman.
“My fundamental goal as Chairman will be to invigorate and energize the tremendous alumni base Marion has all over the state, all over the country and, in fact, all over the world. Getting people whose lives were impacted positively by MMI to ‘plug in’ and get involved is key to our growth and continued success,” remarked Mooty.
MMI Receives $20K Grant from The Daniel Foundation of Alabama
Marion Military Institute is proud to announce its most recent gift from The Daniel Foundation of Alabama in the amount of $20,000. These grant funds have been used to purchase two SMART Carts for classroom use in the Monteabaro Chemistry Building.
“Our faculty and staff are so grateful to the Daniel Foundation of Alabama for the grant funding that has allowed us to establish two additional “Smart” classrooms,” Mrs. Susan Stevenson, Vice President and Academic Dean, stated in an interview. “These will greatly increase our capacity to provide technology-based instruction to our cadets.”
A SMART Cart is a self contained system designed to provide a variety of presentation technologies that enhance instructional techniques. The system contains a computer and monitor with DVD drive, a video player, external speakers, wireless keyboard and mouse, document camera, and software that will allow an instructor to draw, highlight, and generally emphasize areas of interest while the image projects on a screen at the front of the classroom. Instructors have instant access to the World Wide Web, can show video clips, and projects images of actual objects, pictures, articles, documents, etc.
Including the SMART Carts from The Daniel Foundation of Alabama, MMI currently has eleven Smart classrooms. MMI’s goal is to equip all classrooms on campus with SMART technology.
The Daniel Foundation of Alabama’s mission is to strengthen communities within Alabama and improve the quality of life for citizens form all regions of Alabama through the support of quality educational programs, arts and culture, civic and community programs, and medical care and research.
Mobile Gift Presentation
On October 13, Col. Allen Cleghorn, MMI Class of ’74, presented a framed Dale Gallon print to Col. Mollahan as a gift to MMI. The pair visited at the historic Battle House Renaissance Hotel. The framing was provided by Mr. Chilton Powell, MMI Class of ’62, of Mobile, Ala.
