By the year 1897, the university's 25th anniversary, many changes had taken place. One of those was it's name. In 1895 the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College, through an act of the Virginia General Assembly, had become known as "Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute", "V.P.I." for short.

Among the changes in the Cadet uniform that year was the replacement of a white helmet with a white kepi for fall and spring wear. The cap was white with a black leather visor. It carried a metal insignia of the letters "V.P.I." in silver, surrounded by a gold wreath which was open at the top. Cadet commissioned officers had a gold cord chinstrap, while all other cadets had a black leather chinstrap. The kepi was worn with white trousers and a blue blouse at parade formations.

Pictured in the backround is the Mess Hall. It was remodeled into Commerce Hall for use by the School of Business Administration in 1939. The building was demolished in 1957.

Watercolor by Floyd Richard Vranian.