Fork Union Military Academy is a place where history and progress walk side by side. Every corner of our campus holds a story, and this year, new chapters are being written through projects that celebrate our traditions while creating spaces for the next generation of cadets to grow. 

“These new updates around campus reflect an exciting time at Fork Union Military Academy,” said CAPT Mark Black, USN (Ret.), President of the Academy. “Renewal is coming, and it’s change that will strengthen our mission, elevate the cadet experience, and showcase the best of who we are.” 

A Track that Continues to Train Champions 

The newly renovated Gus Lacy Track is quickly taking shape, with construction moving swiftly toward its September completion. This championship-quality, eight-lane facility will give cadets a surface worthy of their dedication while positioning the Academy to host top-tier track meets on our campus. Families, athletes, and fans from across the region will soon gather here, experiencing not only the thrill of competition but also the beauty and spirit of Fork Union Military Academy. 

This upgrade is more than just a track. It’s an investment in the health, performance, and pride of our cadets. It represents our commitment to providing them with the very best opportunities to grow as athletes and leaders. With every lap they run, the Gus Lacy Track will stand as a symbol of excellence, perseverance, and the bright future ahead. 

A Veranda for Gathering and Growth 

At the Wicker Science Building, construction is underway on a new veranda designed to bring people together. This welcoming space will offer cadets, faculty, staff, and families a place to connect, whether studying between classes, reflecting after a full day, or sharing stories with friends. The veranda is being built with community in mind, reminding us that education happens not just in classrooms, but in the conversations and connections formed outside of them. 

It will also serve as a much-needed enhancement to the Academy’s main entrance, creating a more inviting gateway to our campus. 

Saying Goodbye to the Middle School Barracks 

Perhaps the most striking change comes not from what is being built, but from what is being taken down. For more than 10 years, the old Middle School Barracks stood quietly at the edge of campus, long after its doors closed in 2015. Built in 1940, the barracks housed generations of cadets, some as young as first grade, who once called it home, filling its halls with laughter, discipline, and the daily rhythm of Academy life. 

Several conversions for the barracks were contemplated over the last decade, but recently, after a thorough re-evaluation, it was determined that the structure was not a viable candidate for renovation.  Acting upon this premise, and in an effort to steward our resources responsibly, the building’s demolition began on Tuesday, August 19. Dust rose, walls crumbled, and with it, a chapter of Fork Union Military Academy’s story came to an end. Yet as the structure came down, there was a sense of promise in the air. Clearing this space creates not only room for new possibilities, but also a new gateway into the Academy, one that reflects progress and promise for the future. 

As the walls fell, a powerful image captured the moment: our youngest company of cadets, Charlie Company, stood watching. Side by side, they looked on as the old gave way to the new, a living reminder that while buildings may change, the spirit of Fork Union Military Academy endures rooted in tradition, and always moving forward. 

What comes next in this hallowed space? We do not know. But we will work with our Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, and the alumni represented by the Alumni Association to make that decision and commitment in the future.