Fork Union Military Academy

I entered Fork Union Military Academy in the fall of 1963 as a freshman who did most things wrong. Bad grades, bad conduct and no direction. I hated FUMA for about the first three or four weeks I was there and then something clicked in my brain that changed my life, due in most part to the tremendous Fork Union facility and coaches who cared about every cadet and encouraged them to always do their best and to appreciate this once in a life time opportunity to grow into responsible young men of Christian principle. By my senior year, I was successful in every aspect of the FUMA lifestyle, academics, athletics and leadership. The lessons I learned at FUMA have served me well in college, my Army career, my corporate career, my retirement and my Faith. Thirty years after I graduated, my son entered FUMA and his experiences and success were identical to mine a generation earlier. Fork Union Military Academy has been, and continues to be, a difference maker in the lives of thousands of young men who enter it's gate. I love that the Fork Union mission, as a Christian all male military school, has never changed. GO FUMA!

I had failed the 6th grade in public school and my parents decided to send me to Fork Union. Although I had been away to camps for extended time, this would be a big difference. I didn't want the structure and I certainly wasn't a great student. That all changed soon after arriving. I was not used to be ordered about but found that it helped. I learned that I had it in myself to excel.

I found that every action I took had consequences, both bad and good. If you misbehaved, you lost privileges. If you followed the rules and did the right thing you got extra privileges.

I quickly had my grades improve to where I was on the Headmasters List (not quite the Honor Roll, but certainly well above public school). I found that I enjoyed learning in that structured environment. I also was surrounded by people of different financial and social levels and even back in the 60's there were students from many other countries.

Although some of the teachers may have recently graduated from teachers college or university, I felt that their age was a plus for me as I could relate to a younger teacher. Many became friends. You have to understand that both students and teaches there become a part of your life. I still visit and speak with both from my time there and have visited the campus many times over the years, the last time was 2019 which was my 50 year Reunion. How many other schools, public or private can boast that? Also many notable people in all walks of life have attended the school. It is doing something right!

I was worried that the school was in the middle of 'nowhere' I thought and that I would be bored and unproductive. I was so wrong! I engaged in many activities, one of which was the campus radio station, paving the path for me to be a DJ and 'air personality' in later life. That led me to meet many famous musicians also. I also look back and am sorry that I did not take advantage of even more activities such as the athletic teams and debate societies.

The 'One Subject Plan' makes so much sense and I have often explained it to people and in forums as a way for the U.S. to excel in education.

I cannot emphasize how much the school meant to me back then and continues to guide me even today.

You might enjoy this mans story about his decision to donate.

I am in this photo (bottom right) in 1962. The other two photos are from the school showing before and after photos. If the school can change their appearance so much in a few minutes, image what they can do in a year or more! Also not e that they are still smiling!