This week has been my most challenging yet, and it would be easy for me to take a "bye week" like I predicted may be needed from time to time, but...buoyed by the excitement of a double-overtime win in Middle School basketball tonight (Go FUMA!) I will do my best to recap an exciting week.
Last week ended with a conference call with David Barrett, a member of our Board of Trustees, as we put the finishing touches on our Christian Leadership Series. We will host two influential Christian leaders to meet the leadership at Fork Union Military Academy, speak to the Corps of Cadets at one of the bi-weekly chapel services, tour the campus, and answer questions. This will be in addition to our Payne Forum on February 10th, where Dr. Andy McIntosh will speak on "Design and Intelligence: Tying Together Science and Faith."
We are fortunate that the "word is getting out" about the contribution FUMA makes to Virginia and this nation...and look forward to many more visitors. My first thought for this week's blog was to insert pictures instead of words. The first picture I would insert is of the transformation of Hatcher Hall, the building that houses the administration, business office, classrooms, career counseling, and our resource center. Thanks to our painters and some "first impressions" money provided by our Board and alumni, we've increased the professional appearance of many spaces in this historic building. Our painters have done amazing work to brighten up our academic classroom hallway, entrance, stairwells, and corridors...and new carpet throughout our lower offices (in a blend of Coast Guard and FUMA blue) really brightened up our appearance.
The second picture might be of Jacobson Hall. I walked through the building (under construction) this week, and saw an aerial photo which I recommend you view on our website photo gallery. As I walked on the roof of this new dormitory, and saw views from the third floor, I was impressed by the enormity of the building, and know this building is a real "game changer" for FUMA.
It will be brand new, matching the quality of our Aquatics Center, Estes Dining Hall, Estes Athletic Center, and Beatty Library addition. The security will be enhanced by modern technology including keypad entry, video surveillance systems, and alarms...and of course it will save us money in utilities with its geothermal heating and cooling systems.
We can't wait to move in...and while we love having a Snead Hall, there are many looking forward to tearing down this old home to many current and former cadets. We've nearly completed all the furniture selections, and training has begun for our housekeeping and maintenance staffs. This mild winter has allowed the project to stay on time...but we are slightly over budget as we approach completion on July 15, 2012.
After a long Monday and Tuesday, it was a blessing to start Wednesday "at the flag pole" as our Fellowship of Christian Athletes gathered for prayer to start the day. It was a time of reflection and letting go of burdens and helped us all focus on our real purpose, which is to serve God.
My highlight this week was National Signing Day. The energy and enthusiasm in the Estes Center was palpable. Proud parents, smiling cadets, beaming coaches, local media...all gathered to see ambitions realized when young men achieve their dreams of earning college scholarships to play sports and study at Division I colleges.
We are on the "home stretch" toward Alumni Weekend and Graduation, and committed this week to publish one more "Call to Quarters" magazine before May. I have much more to learn as I lead this fine school, its faculty, staff, and Corps of Cadets. There is plenty of work remaining, but the State of Fork Union Military Academy is strong and trending upward. This week's challenges brought clarity and unity of effort. We all continue to learn more about each other as we approach our first full year together.
Go FUMA!
RADM J. Scott Burhoe
President, Fork Union Military Academy
