I was pleased to see many new and returning cadets arriving this past Sunday to begin Fork Union Military Academy's summer session. Our summer school students have arrived from as far away as Vermont, Florida, Iowa, New York, and even Quito, Ecuador. At least ten states and two countries are represented in our summertime student body.

The President, Chief of Staff, Summer School Director, and Chaplain prayed in the President’s office for each faculty/staff member and each student—by name. We prayed for their studies and their souls.

The first afternoon the young men had set aside time for some volleyball and slip-n-slide, and the next day they enjoyed the pool “fun zone.” After four rigorous hours of academic time each day, the physical fitness and recreation time appeared to be much appreciated.

Three top-quality well-balanced meals a day are provided by Sage Dining Services. There is an hour-and-a-half study hall each night, too, with faculty available for tutoring and mentoring. We have a trip planned to Washington, DC, soon that will feature visits to the Smithsonian museums and the Mall.

FUMA Summer School has uniforms of Under Armor polo shirts, khaki shorts, and somewhat more relaxed haircut regulations than during the Corps of Cadets/military-style academic year. It's the same FUMA, just "summer school style" with 27 fast-paced days of academic study with very small teacher-student ratios and lots of personal instructional attention…as well as fun!

Many of these young men will return to become FUMA Cadets this fall and we look forward to seeing them join our ranks.

Go FUMA!

Colonel David L. Coggins, USMC (Ret.)
President
Fork Union Military Academy