Michael R. Matthews of Redmond received a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering with a nuclear engineering concentration from the Virginia Military Institute during its commencement ceremony on May 16.

Founded in 1839, Virginia Military Institute is the nation’s oldest state-supported military college. Consistently ranked among the top public liberal arts colleges in the nation by both U.S. News and World Report and Money magazine, it offers bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees in 14 majors. Its mission is to “prepare honorable and dedicated leaders ready for the challenges of 21st-century citizenship.”