First the best news: Our cadets are being accepted to some of the finest schools in the nation. While every senior hasn't received an acceptance (yet), this is a sampling of the colleges and universities so far:
o University of Virginia
o North Carolina State University
o University of South Carolina
o Pennsylvania State University
o Clemson University
o University of Indiana
o Villanova University
o University of California, Los Angeles
o Longwood University
o Miami University
o Norwich University
o Ohio State University
o The Citadel
o Texas A&M University
o Fairfield University
o Christopher Newport University
o Temple University
o Morgan State University
This list shows the diversity of our students' geographic preferences and their varied interests. We are very proud of our seniors, and it is wonderful to see their positive choices and hard work paying off in this tangible way. We pride ourselves on being a college-preparatory, military, Christian school...and one important measure of our effectiveness is college acceptances. We take this very seriously.
Last Sunday I was a guest of Bob King, Jr., an alumnus and former Trustee, at the Berea Baptist Church near Richmond. Our cadet chorale and praise band performed several musical selections and readings. It was truly inspiring to see them sing and play with such enthusiasm and poise. Before the service, some admitted to being a little nervous, but it didn't show. These cadets were excellent representatives of Fork Union Military Academy, and made me proud to be their President.
We are actively working to fill job openings for the 2012-2013 school year, and meeting individually with several faculty/staff members on their desires for next year. I continue to learn more about the complexities of leading a large boarding school, and look forward to having experienced everything at least once through this first year.
The other day a Trustee asked me what my biggest "surprise" was after accepting the position. While there were many possible answers to the question, the first one that came to mind was how willing and open all those who work at FUMA were about trusting and accepting this change in leadership. I've experienced abundant support and encouragement for the momentum we are creating as we examine processes, policies, and culture...ensuring that changes are grounded in our core values and aligned with our vision and mission.
Monday night was Coach Fletcher Arritt's "last home game" as postgraduate basketball coach. Thomas Gymnasium was electric, and filled with friends, supporters, cadets, former players, and was a "Who's Who" of college coaches and athletic directors. Words and symbols of our love and appreciation for the Arritts will never adequately express all they've done to make this school great. We appreciate the attention and acclaim this event brought to Fletcher and FUMA...and we pray it will bring more young men and their parents to our school.
On Tuesday I was the guest of Bob King, Sr., an alumnus and Trustee Emeritus, at the Rotary Club of Richmond. I served as their guest speaker, and had the opportunity to talk about the value FUMA brings to this region of Virginia...and the importance and power of an outstanding education. I believe it is a privilege to do this work, and that education is the key to America's future...and that young men (particularly today) are in need of a little extra help. Young men need encouragement and support so that they can be successful academically.
We also met this week about improving our art programs, and are examining ways to incorporate art into the subjects taught in our Middle School. We will take the lessons learned and improve our Upper School offerings. We recognize the need to increase the prominence and availability of art as a means to provide a creative outlet for all our students, but in particular those who have a real interest in expressing their uniqueness in this way. It was a fascinating discussion...and only the beginning.
Today we formalized our interest in creating an Airsoft Club. One of our cadets submitted a well-constructed proposal, which was accepted by our Commandant of Cadets, who will soon designate faculty advisors. We plan to have our first organized "skirmish" this spring...and certainly have no shortage of wide-open spaces to support this popular activity.
With Chaplain James Benson away from the Academy (with four cadets attending a leadership conference at the United States Air Force Academy) we had a "guest sermon" by LTC Micky Sullivan, our Director of Athletics and Prep Football Coach. His lesson was about "choices" and the importance of making the right choices. He spoke of the need to get the most out of the FUMA experience, and pointed to the seat where he sat as a cadet and listened to similar messages...finally deciding to "buy in" to all that Fork Union had to offer.
His message was riveting and impactful, as he scanned the room in true Socratic fashion, using individual cadets and their experiences to make each point. He ended his talk with this quote by Norman Vincent Peale: "The greatest power we have is the power of choice. It's an actual fact that if you've been moping in unhappiness, you can choose to be joyous instead and by effort, lift yourself into joy."
Every day this week had a highlight...but this week I took special joy in what probably took the least amount of my time. As I was about to leave my office for a daily "walkabout," three cadets were waiting outside my door, all smiling broadly (which may have made me a little nervous), then handed me a very large trophy the Indoor Track team earned over the weekend. The trophy, for winning the Prep League Indoor Track Meet, is sitting proudly beside our famous cannon...and next to our State Championship trophy.
Go FUMA!
RADM J. Scott Burhoe
President, Fork Union Military Academy
