The President's Blog

I did not write a blog last week because I was with my children and their families in Maryland and Virginia...and drove to Blacksburg, VA on Saturday with Betsy, Aaron, and Amy to watch the UVA vs. Virginia Tech game. I was back at work on Monday, but just long enough to see many cadets return, and walk through the campus to move some projects forward before driving to Florida to visit my mother.

The days before Thanksgiving were very quiet around FUMA, and they allowed our maintenance staff to make their way through Jacobson Hall to put an incredible gloss on every hallway floor, and do an amazing job cleaning all the common spaces and bathrooms. We spent time organizing final efforts toward a long-range plan which will begin with the publishing of "Fork Union Military Academy 2020" in the Call to Quarters (our semi-annual magazine) which went to print this week.

Here in Florida, the running has been fast and flat...and much time spent with my mother, 87, who is as active, alert, and vibrant as ever...and gave me a list of "chores" that reminded me of my youth. We also took some time to see the new movie "Lincoln" which was inspiring. What a great example of a servant leader who put others (and the future of the United States) before himself.

I have been keeping up with work at Fork Union, and wanted to pass along a wonderful gift [of donated stock] we received this week from the parents of a cadet. This generosity will allow us to complete the renovation of Vaughn Hall's activity room. We are creating a cadet recreation space that will house pool tables, ping pong, foosball, a lounge area, and some video gaming.

This gift was heartwarming, and showed an appreciation for our success not only in educating, developing, and inspiring their son, but also those around him. This gift, along with the initial "start up" donation from an alumnus, will allow us to complete the transformation of this space.

We are close to finalizing the destruction plans for Memorial Hall (old barracks), the original pool building (behind Thomas Gym), and next week I will meet with an architect to start creating plans for partial destruction and conversion of the Motor Lodge. We hope to have this work done over the summer. Some exciting times ahead.

Our challenge over the next few weeks will be to have the cadets remain focused and "finish strong" before the Christmas Break. There is much for all of us to do...and as much fun as it is to be with my mother in Florida...I know there is important work waiting for me...and I look forward to getting back to it.

Go FUMA!

There is general consensus at Fork Union Military Academy that time is moving quicker this year than last.  No one seems to know why.  It just is.  The time change didn't help.  Many alumni may remember how dark it gets in Fork Union...and now it is dark earlier...but hopefully the cadets are taking a moment to look up, because [other than out at sea] there is no place I've ever been where the stars are brighter.

Coach Micky Sullivan's last home game was a success.  It was a well-earned victory over Woodberry Forest, followed by an uplifting reception after the game where many former players, coaches, and family spoke fondly of Micky and his impact on so many lives.  Micky's comments centered on the importance of "making a difference." If we can each make a positive difference in the lives of others, we are doing what God put us on this Earth to do. 

It was clear that he had, and is, making a difference in many lives.  Micky also challenged those in attendance that he would be coming soon to visit each of them... asking for their help to improve our athletic facilities...including the addition of a lighted, artificial turf multi-sport field...long overdue. 

Put in the context of one of the visiting team's parents, clearly upset about the loss, "How does anyone expect my son to play well in a cow pasture?"  As a Virginia Tech graduate, all I could do was smile.  My college was surrounded by pastures...all very beautiful.

This week we chartered a team to develop renovation plans for our Science Laboratories.  The team will consist of the Dean of Academics, the Upper School and Middle School science faculty, and other staff, to ensure all current and future curriculum needs are considered.  We've already raised $50K toward this effort that we estimate may cost over $500K, but is necessary as we compete among independent schools.

If any of your sons told you it was cold in their classroom, it was cold in Wicker Science Building.  During the barracks construction project, we hired a company to convert our science building from steam to propane as a result of rerouting steam lines, and our interest in shutting down our central boiler (expensive and energy inefficient).  The work was delayed unexpectedly, but the heat is working today.

This week we also completed work in Jacobson Hall that will allow cadets to receive calls, and over the next week will have the voicemail activated and functional.

The Chaplain's message on Election Day was very appropriate, from 1 Timothy:

"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."

It is important that we pray for all people...those we agree with and those we do not...and that we work together in a way that pleases God.

On Wednesday afternoon we held an additional faculty meeting to discuss the findings from last year's survey of graduating seniors.  The information was presented to the Board of Trustees a few weeks ago, and this session allowed us to begin talking about ways to "improve."  While it was clear that cadets grew spiritually, developed strong relationships with faculty, staff, and fellow cadets, we need to work harder to integrate technology into our learning environment (thus the Science Lab).  We intend to survey these same cadets in two years, and again in five years to track their success in college...and will survey the Class of 2013 at the end of this year.

Today's Chapel message was inspiring, and spoke of each person's worth, each created in the image of God.  MAJ Benson took out a hundred dollar bill, and asked if anyone would like to have it.  Of course every hand went up, including mine.  Then he crumbled the bill, stepped on it, and spilled something on it.  Then he asked if anyone was still interested in having this once perfect hundred dollar bill.

The message of course was that we all stumble, sometimes fall, and sometimes fail...but our worth remains.  He added important thoughts about the power of words...many of the same thoughts I put in last week's blog.  This message bears repeating...because it is important that we all remember how words can lift, or how they can crumble...but no matter what people say, God sees worth in all of us...and wants us to see it in ourselves.

We are looking forward to our Veteran's Day Ceremony tomorrow evening, followed by a semi-final state championship football game against Benedictine played at the "new" Fluvanna High School Stadium "under the lights."  We need to keep our home field in good shape for our postgraduate game against Hargrave Military Academy on Saturday afternoon.  We are also looking forward to an Alumni Board Meeting this weekend.

I will close with some thoughts sent this week from an alumnus from the Class of 1966:

"In May 1986, I returned to FUMA to celebrate the 20th reunion of our class, bringing along my wife, daughter, and son.  As we turned into the main gate, about halfway to the circle, I stopped the car, tears streaming down my face to the point I dared not drive.  My daughter, very much concerned, said 'Mommy!  What is wrong with Daddy?'  My reply was 'Nothing, Honey.  It's Okay.  Daddy's home!'  On that day in May, I was simply overcome with the idea that FUMA would always be a special place for me and hundreds of guys like me, that it would be a perpetual home for us."

Go FUMA!

What a whirlwind this last week has been.  Since we are tracking Hurricane Sandy as it moves up the east coast, it seemed fitting to make some reference to storms...as we also had a perfect storm last week with the Board of Trustees meeting, dedication of Jacobson Hall, and Parents' Weekend.

My "To Do List" is now officially more than one page long...with the most important tasking coming from the Board to consolidate the many planning sessions and conversations into a draft Strategic Plan to present to the Executive Committee at our February retreat.  Nearly all of our Board attended this semi-annual meeting, many enjoying their "last night ever spent" in the Fork Union Motor Lodge. 

I met several parents, and enjoyed addressing many at the dinner on Friday evening.  Many of you commented about this blog.  As I've said often, as long as you will read it, I will write it.

Saturday's Review of the Corps of Cadets was indeed a sight to behold.  A beautiful fall day...with many parents seeing their sons marching (and maybe even standing still) for the very first time.  If you are interested in seeing pictures of the parade please click here, and for an exciting "alumnus-eye view" of the parachute jump, with some outstanding aerial views of FUMA, please visit YouTube. 

My sense from the many conversations over the weekend was that we are indeed having a good year.  We are not perfect, but have tremendous forward momentum toward a national leadership role in independent boarding schools.  I sat with one family on Monday evening, listening to a few ways we could continue to improve. 

The Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS) asked me to take part in the decennial accreditation visit for another VAIS school, which I will begin this Sunday (for 4 days).  Many faculty and staff from FUMA also serve on these visiting teams, and we all bring back the best from other independent schools in Virginia.  These lessons are worth the time away from Fork Union.

One issue we continue to struggle with is the new phone system.  My Secretary received a handful of calls this week from parents who are unable to reach the new dormitory...even when calling the Commandant of Cadets office.  These seem to be area code and phone number specific...and each one seems to require an independent fix as we work the bugs out of the new phone system.  Over the next year we will upgrade the entire FUMA phone system, which I believe will fix the problem, and also lower our phone bills.

Betsy and I drove into Richmond today to support the Rifle Team at the Virginia Military School Rifle League State Tournament.  The match was held at the Colonial Shooting Academy, who hosted the tournament in facilities that are a "shooter's dream."  Unfortunately, we arrived just as everyone was finished shooting, but I had the opportunity to talk with all our cadets, who seemed confident about their performance.  I was energized and impressed by their bright smiles and the comments by everyone on the range staff who spoke highly of the respect and demeanor of all our students.

This week brought a number of alumni "back home."  A member of the Class of '79 stopped by in his Union Army reenactment uniform...a hit with the Middle Schoolers, and a unique experience for me.  I can honestly say that in my working career no one has ever visited me dressed as though they fought in the Civil War. 

Another alumnus brought us a new "used" van; a Dodge Caravan with only 40K miles, bought at auction with a combination of Parents' Association Funds and his personal contribution.  Fork Union Military Academy has no other vans as nice...and this van will be used by our Infirmary to transport cadets to off-campus medical appointments.

Another alumnus from the Class of '73 visited today with very touching testimony about the school and the impact it has had on his life.  It was clear from our conversation that many people, former cadets, staff, faculty, and administrators had shaped his life.  He spoke of leadership, character, and discipline...and implored me to "keep it up," and to work toward having all the cadets better appreciate the opportunity [to attend Fork Union].

I spent some time this week looking over Term One grades...and asked the Dean to look closely at a few cadets who appeared to struggle academically...and also met with him to review the results of the ACT Explore test taken by our 9th graders.  From their website: "ACT Explore is designed to help 9th graders explore a broad range of options for their future. It prepares students not only for their high school coursework but for their post-high school choices as well."

The One Subject Plan allows us to accept new cadets at five different points each year.  On Tuesday we accepted 16 new cadets, including a few who were "returning cadets."  One sat down with me on Monday to tell me why he was interested in returning to FUMA.  After almost two years here he decided he would like to spend his senior year at his local high school. 

It only took him a few weeks to realize that he was no longer surrounded by a faculty who cared [as much] about his future.  He was the first one to report on Tuesday, and excited to join his brother who is a cadet in our Middle School.  We are pleased to have him back as a member of our learning community.

There are many more things I meant to say...but will close here to ensure we are prepared for the remnants of Hurricane Sandy...and leave you with two more hyperlinks.  One is a live camera on Hatcher Hall which is part of the Newsplex Skyline Weather Network...and the other is a FUMA Aerial Photo taken last weekend and posted to my Twitter account. 

Go FUMA!

Today I met with one of our cadet company commanders to talk about his college choices, and have him review a letter of recommendation drafted to support his applications to Norwich University, VMI, USCGA, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.  I told him that his applications should highlight his ability to thrive and lead in a diverse environment. 

The simplicity of sameness makes leadership easy...and in that environment you just lead people in the same way you want to be led.

Leading a student body rich with ethnic, racial, geographic, and socio-economic diversity requires leaders to lead in a way that inspires others who see the world from different perspectives and through different experiences.  Fork Union Military Academy is diverse. 

While the majority of our students are Christian, representing nine different denominations, five percent of our students are Jewish, Muslim, or Buddhist.  Slightly over half our cadets are Caucasian, and a quarter African-American, with the other quarter self-reporting as Hispanic, Latino, Asian, Asian-American, Chinese, Korean, or mixed race.

Surprisingly just half our students are from Virginia, with half coming from 20 other states.  Very few are from families considered "wealthy," and we have cadets from every socio-economic demographic. 

All this diversity adds to the richness of the school, and when properly led, enriches the educational experience.  Yes, it is challenging, but the challenge prepares our students for the diverse world they will enter upon graduation.  This richness makes our students more attractive to a wide range of colleges and universities.

I spent some time this week preparing for extra-curricular work.  Since we are accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS) there is an expectation that faculty, staff, and administrators will serve as leaders and team members for accreditation visits to other schools within VAIS.  I will be the Vice Chair for a visit to Eastern Mennonite High School in Harrisonburg, VA, and spent some time this past weekend reviewing their self-study and getting acquainted with the requirements of this new task. 

The 3-4 day visit will be later this month...and I've learned much already that will help me be a better "head of school." 

I also learned this week that I would be appointed to serve on the Virginia Council for Private Education (VCPE) Board of Directors.  The VCPE is the association of accrediting agencies for private schools in Virginia, that is recognized by the Virginia State Department of Education.  I will serve as the Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States (AMCSUS) representative, taking the place of MG Henry M. Hobgood, USAF (ret.), who will be retiring from Randolph-Macon Academy. 

I am excited because VCPE is committed to the preservation of pluralism in American education and to the right of parents to choose an education appropriate for their children; and ensure and promote the vitality that freedom of choice allows.  They also make known to the public the aims and goals to which its member organizations jointly subscribe. 

Out of many, one.

I also enjoyed a surprise visit by Private First Class Stephen Joslyn.  You last heard of him six months ago because he was a Cadet Lieutenant Colonel and our Battalion Commander.  Stephen joined the Marine Corps Reserve after graduation, and will be starting Christopher Newport University's President's Leadership program.  He was in his dress blues...grinning broadly...and spoke proudly of the terrific preparation received at FUMA.

We had our first meeting with the Class of 2013.  We want to make sure they are well prepared and familiar with the many steps toward graduation.  A representative from Jostens spoke about invitations, rings, and other amenities available, and I spoke of the "home stretch."

I encouraged the seniors to lead by example, and shared that while I know it may appear that we've taken many things away from them (cell phones, computer games, girls), we surround them with a group of young men who will be their best friends for life, a faculty and staff who care deeply about their success, and an environment in which they can thrive mentally, physically, and spiritually.

One of our Trustees, David Barrett, stopped by to discuss Endowment and Investment Subcommittee matters, and help us plan this year's Christian Leadership Series.  This year we will have three speakers in the series share their walks of faith.  These will be successful business leaders centered by their Christianity...and who live purposeful lives.

Today's Chapel message was about how others often act as mirrors.  Essentially the same kinds of people are everywhere, and if we want to meet good people, we should see the good in others.

The Chaplain told the story of a house with a thousand mirrors: 

"When a happy little dog learned of this house, it decided to visit. He climbed the stairs and looked through the doorway to find a thousand other happy little dogs. He smiled and was answered with a thousand smiles. He thought it is a wonderful place and wanted to visit again.

In the same village, another little dog, who was not as happy as the first one, also decided to visit the house.  He slowly climbed the stairs and hung his head low as he looked into the room.  He found a thousand unfriendly looking dogs staring back at him. He growled at them and was saddened by a thousand dogs growling back. He left that place and thought it was a horrible place and decided never to go back there again."

If all the faces in the world were mirrors, what kind of reflections would you see in the faces of the people you meet?

Next week I will be unable to write a blog, because we are hosting the Board of Trustees for an outdoor dinner at Careby Hall...after a full day of meetings, before another day of meetings...the dedication of Jacobson Hall...then the Parents' Weekend dinner...then on Saturday the first cadet review (drill).  To keep with my theme this week of out of many, one...I challenged myself to write a few sentences using this week's "Words of the Day."  Here goes:

"There were some who made a living through speculative investments, and others who were rapturous about their rewarding business ventures.  All of them were roused by the story of a school that led to their success and changed the lives of others, leading them to be philanthropic in a way that ensured the school continued to prosper.

I look forward to seeing many of you next weekend.

Go FUMA!