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Fork Union Military Academy

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}

{{Infobox school

| name = Fork Union Military Academy

| native_name =

| image = Fork Union Military Academy.jpg

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption = Cadets march in formation for the annual Mothers Day Parade at Fork Union Military Academy

| logo = 433 logo.jpg

| motto = Body, Mind, and Spirit

| established = 1898

| closed =

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| gender_label =

| gender = male|

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| administrator =

| assst_admin =

| president = CAPT Mark Black, USN (Ret.)

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| rector =

| principal =

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| campus_director =

| headmaster = GySgt Charlie E. Coulter III, USMC (Ret.), Commandant

| head_name = Second Master

| head =

| head_name2 = Assistant Headmaster

| head2 =

| dean = COL Brian Bodine, FUMA

| founder = Dr. William E. Hatcher

| chaplain = MAJ Ben Jamison, FUMA

| officer_in_charge =

| faculty =

| teaching_staff = 45

| enrollment = 284

| grades_label =

| grades = 7–12
1 year post-graduate program

| streetaddress = 4744 James Madison Highway

| city = Fork Union

| state = Virginia

| province =

| country = United States

| coordinates = {{Coord|37|45|40.7|N|78|15|37.6|W|display=}}

| pushpin_map = Virginia

| district =

| oversight =

| accreditation = Virginia Association of Independent Schools

| campus = Rural

| campus_size = {{convert|1000|acres}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.forkunion.com/virtual-tour-and-campus-map/|title=Our Campus|date=May 14, 2024|website=Fork Union Military Academy|accessdate=May 14, 2024}}

| colors = {{Color box|Blue|border=darkgray}} {{Color box|Red|border=darkgray}} Blue & red

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| nickname =

| mascot = Blue Devils

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| yearbook = The Skirmisher

| newspaper = Front & Center

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| website = {{URL|forkunion.com}}

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Fork Union Military Academy (abbreviated as FUMA) is a private, all-male, college preparatory Christian military boarding school located in Fork Union, Virginia. Founded in 1898, Fork Union is considered one of the premier military boarding academies in the United States.{{Cite web|url=https://militaryschoolguide.com/virginia/|title=Virginia Military Schools Guide|website=Military Schools Guide|accessdate=May 24, 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.wric.com/news/new-jersey-eighth-grader-wins-scholarship-at-historic-fork-union-military-academy/|title=New Jersey eighth grader wins scholarship at historic Fork Union Military Academy|date=Mar 15, 2016|accessdate=May 24, 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.studyinternational.com/news/how-to-choose-a-top-military-academy-in-the-us/|title=How to Choose a Top Military Academy in the US - Study International|date=8 December 2015 |accessdate=May 24, 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.niche.com/k12/fork-union-military-academy-fork-union-va/rankings/|title=2021 Fork Union Military Academy Rankings|website=Niche|accessdate=May 24, 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-boarding-high-schools/s/virginia/|title=2021 Best Boarding High Schools in Virginia|website=Niche|accessdate=May 24, 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://militaryschoolusa.com/virginia/fork-union-military-academy/|title=Fork Union Military Academy|website=militaryschoolusa.com|accessdate=May 24, 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.forkunion.com/cadet-life/spiritual-life/|title=Fork Union Military Academy - Spiritual Life|accessdate=July 10, 2024}}

Fork Union is a member of the Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States and the National Association of Independent Schools and is affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia. FUMA's curriculum extends from the 7th to 12th grade and hosts a one-year postgraduate program.

History

File:Old FUMA barracks.jpg

Located on a {{convert|1000|acre|adj=on}} campus in the rolling hills of central Virginia's Piedmont region, Fork Union Military Academy was initially founded as Fork Union Academy in October 1898 by Dr. William E. Hatcher, a prominent local Baptist minister. The first class had nineteen students.

In 1902, the academy took on a military structure to provide organization, discipline, and physical development for the boys of a rapidly growing school. In 1913, the academy became an all-male institution and changed its name to Fork Union Military Academy. That same year, the academy began receiving support from the Baptist General Association of Virginia, which continues to this day.

Military organization is used to structure the daily routine. While the academy has no direct relationship with any military branch, the school's military system has existed for more than 100 years.{{cite web|url=http://www.forkunion.com/military-school-info/our-history.html |title=Our History |publisher=Forkunion.com |access-date=2012-07-09}}

Some of its buildings are named after benefactors who have helped fund their construction, such as the Guy E. Beatty Library, the Estes Dining Center, and Jacobson Hall. Other buildings on campus are named in honor or memory of persons who are significant in the school's history, such as Hatcher Hall and the Wicker Science Center, both named in memory of past school presidents.{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/forkunionmilitaryacademy/docs/ctq_spring2011/24 |title=The Changing Face of the Academy Campus |publisher=issuu.com |access-date=2021-05-21}}

FUMA's crest shows a pair of crossed swords, a book, and a star, each representing an aspect of the school motto: body, mind, and spirit.

= Presidents of Fork Union Military Academy =

  • Dr. William E. Hatcher: 1898–1912
  • Dr. Eldridge B. Hatcher: 1912–1914
  • Col Clayton E. Crosland: 1914–1917
  • Col Nathaniel J. Perkins: 1917–1930
  • Dr. John J. Wicker: 1930–1945
  • Col James C. Wicker: 1945–1968
  • Col Kenneth T. Whitescarver, USMC (Ret.): 1968–1990
  • COL Charles T. Clanton, USA (Ret.): 1991–1993
  • Lt Gen John E. Jackson Jr., USAF (Ret.): 1994–2011
  • RADM J. Scott Burhoe, USCG (Ret.): 2011–2018
  • Col David L. Coggins, USMC (Ret.): 2018–2023
  • Capt Mark E. Black, USN (Ret.): 2023–present{{Cite web |title=Fork Union Military Academy to welcome 12th president on Founder's Day |url=http://wina.com/news/064460-fork-union-military-academy-to-welcome-12th-president-on-founders-day/ |access-date=2023-10-11 |website=NewsRadio WINA |language=en-US}}

Academics

File:Hatcher side fall.jpg

The school offers a variety of sports, clubs, and organizations for cadet participation during free time in the week and on weekends. Athletics and clubs are a popular diversion from the rigors of cadet life at Fork Union.

Both Standard and Advanced High School Diplomas are offered. Graduating classes have routinely been awarded millions of dollars in scholarships.[http://www.forkunion.com/military-school-info/college-acceptances-2010.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100720051750/http://www.forkunion.com/military-school-info/college-acceptances-2010.html|date=July 20, 2010}}

One Subject Plan

Fork Union follows a unique curriculum schedule in the upper school (grades 9–12 and postgraduate) known as the One Subject Plan. Cadets at Fork Union take one subject at a time instead of a conventional schedule with six to eight classes per day or a block schedule. They remain with the teacher of that course all day, every day during that period.{{cite web|url=http://www.forkunion.com/page.cfm?p=529 |title=One Subject Plan |publisher=Forkunion.com |access-date=2012-07-09}}

Military structure

Fork Union Military Academy provides a structured military environment for its cadets. Military aspects of Fork Union's system include the wearing of uniforms, a military-style organization of personnel, accountability for personal appearance and the state of one's room, ranks, and a chain of command. The rank structure adopted by the corps of cadets mirrors the US Army's enlisted ranks, with the exclusion of the ranks of PV2 and Specialist. Its officer ranks mirror those of the Army JROTC's rank structure, with the rank of Cadet Colonel rarely being used.

The Upper School consists of cadets from 9th grade through the Postgraduate year. The Upper School cadets reside in Jacobson Hall, home to Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, and Echo Companies. There is also a drill team company, Retan Rifle (which exists for special events only) that performs in parades across Virginia. Upper School marching band members march in parades on campus and around the state along with Retan Rifles and Fork Union's Bagpipe Corps. Cadet Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) live as a part of each company. Each company is subdivided into three platoons, each with its own NCOs and Officers. Platoons are subdivided into Squads led by Cadet Sergeants. Squad and Platoon leaders are accountable to the higher company leadership and adult members of the Commandant's Department, as well as to their Tactical Officers (TACs), who are assigned to each company to supervise the cadets.{{Cite web|url=https://www.forkunion.com/cadet-life|title=Cadet Life|date=Sep 1, 2020|website=Fork Union Military Academy|accessdate=May 24, 2021}}

Spiritual life

While students of other religious beliefs may attend the Academy, all cadets attend on-campus Christian chapel services Monday through Thursday and on Sunday each week unless excused. The Academy is affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia.

Campus

File:Snead Hall.jpg

FUMA's campus is located on a {{convert|1000|acre|adj=on}} campus in the hills of the Virginia's Piedmont region.

{{cite web|url=http://www.forkunion.com/campus |title=Our Campus |publisher=Forkunion.com |access-date=2012-07-09}}

  • Hatcher Hall – Administrative offices and liberal arts classrooms
  • Wicker Science Building and Moretz Learning Center – Math and Science classrooms
  • Vaughan Hall – Social Center / Student Activities{{cite web |url=http://www.forkunion.com/campusmap/vaughan-hall.html |title=Vaughan Hall |publisher=Forkunion.com |access-date=2013-11-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203042200/http://www.forkunion.com/campusmap/vaughan-hall.html |archive-date=2013-12-03 |url-status=dead }}
  • Wicker Chapel
  • Veterans Memorial
  • Guy E. Beatty Library
  • Dorothy Estes Dining Hall
  • Thomas Gymnasium
  • Estes Athletic Complex - an {{convert|85,000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} athletic center
  • Fork Union Aquatic Center
  • Jacobson Hall – The {{convert|90,000|sqft|m2|adj=on}}, 250-room barracks opened for cadets on August 20, 2012, and now houses Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Echo, and Delta companies, replacing both Snead and Memorial Halls at a cost of approximately $20 million. Ground was broken on October 22, 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsplex.com/home/headlines/Ground_Breaking_for_FUMAs_New_Dorm_105557978.html |title=Construction Underway on New Barracks at FUMA |publisher=Newsplex.com |date=2010-10-22 |access-date=2012-07-09}}

Athletics

Image:FUMA Track.jpg program is one of the dominant teams in Virginia.]]

FUMA's athletic program is most famous for its football team, which has produced 117 NFL players, and for its track & field team, ranked as one of the best in Virginia.{{cite web |url=http://www.forkunion.com/node/13684 |title=FUMA Track Team State Champions Once Again |publisher=Forkunion.com |date=2010-05-16 |access-date=2012-07-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306165256/http://www.forkunion.com/node/13684 |archive-date=2012-03-06 |url-status=dead }}

There are only two postgraduate athletic programs at Fork Union. Head coach Frank Arritt leads the postgraduate football team. The postgraduate basketball program was coached by Fletcher Arritt, the subject of a documentary titled The Passing Game.{{cite web |title=The Passing Game |url=http://www.thepassinggame.com |website=The Passing Game |access-date=4 April 2019}}

The Prep teams fielding players from grades 9–12 include Football, Basketball, Baseball, Lacrosse, Wrestling, Soccer, Cross Country, Track and Field, Orienteering, Shooting Sports, and Swimming and Diving.

The Fork Union Outdoor Track team won its 20th straight VISAA state championship in 2008.

Many athletes have gone on from the academy to compete in collegiate athletic programs and pursue careers on professional teams. FUMA alumni have included numerous famous athletes who have played in the NFL, MLB, and in multiple other leagues and sports.

Their rival Hargrave Military Academy discontinued their postgraduate football team in 2013; the rivalry continues in postgraduate basketball as the two teams continue to compete every season.{{Cite web|title=Postgraduate Football|url=https://hargravesports.com/sports/postgraduate-football|access-date=2021-11-17|website=Hargrave Military Academy Athletics|language=en}}

Student organizations

There are many different clubs and organizations that cadets can participate in while attending Fork Union.{{cite web |url=http://www.forkunion.com/military-school-info/cadet-life.html |title=Cadet Life |publisher=Forkunion.com |access-date=2012-07-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722015751/http://www.forkunion.com/military-school-info/cadet-life.html |archive-date=2012-07-22 |url-status=dead }} Though new clubs are often started annually by new cadets to meet demand, the more permanent list of clubs includes: National Honor Society, Honor Council, International Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Young Life, IDEA Club, Scuba, Math Club, Speech and Debate, Robotics, Drama Club, Catholic Cadet Association, Chess Club, Band, Pep Band, Bagpipe Corps, Choir, and Woodworking.

Notable alumni

Image:FUMA Helmet.jpg.]]

{{alumni|date=September 2023}}

{{category see also|Fork Union Military Academy alumni}}{{cite web|url=https://www.forkunion.com/notable-alumni/|title=Notable Alumni - Fork Union Military Academy|website=forkunion.com|access-date=December 2, 2024}}

=Politics=

=Military=

  • Fletcher C. Booker Jr. – US Army major general{{cite web |date=11 October 2012 |title=Obituary, Fletcher C. Booker Jr. |url=https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/jupiter-fl/fletcher-booker-5267141 |website=Dignity Memorial |location=Houston, Texas |publisher=SCI Shared Resources, LLC. |access-date=30 March 2025}}
  • John T. Chain, Jr. – Retired U.S. Air Force General, former Commander in Chief of Strategic Air Command
  • Herbert L. Earnest – U.S. Army major general{{cite book |date=1977 |title=National Cyclopaedia of American Biography |volume=57 |url=https://archive.org/details/nationalcyclopae0057unse/page/92/mode/2up |location=New York, NY |publisher=James T. White & Co. |page=44 |via=Internet Archive}}
  • Earle Davis Gregory – First Virginian to receive the Medal of Honor and called the "Sergeant York" of Virginia
  • George D. Miller – Retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General, former Vice Commander in Chief of Strategic Air Command. Following retirement, he was the secretary-general of the United States Olympic Committee
  • Robert H. Scales – Retired U.S. Army Major General, former Commandant of the U.S. Army War College

=Businessmen=

=Education=

=Literature, television and arts=

  • Billy Campbell, actor {{cite web |title=Fork Union Photos |url=https://photos.forkunion.com/FUMA2007-2008/September-2007/Billy-Campbell-Visits-FUMA/ |website=Fork Union Photos |access-date=4 April 2019}}
  • Lloyd Dobyns, former NBC reporter and correspondent
  • David Huddleston, actor
  • Solomon Hughes, actor

=Track and Field=

  • Ibrahim Mohamed Aden, runner
  • Martin Keino, runner
  • Braxton Davenport, Pole Vault, National High School Record, 1990
  • Jama Bile, runner

=Swimming=

=Basketball=

  • Kevin Laue – First Division I basketball player with one hand; played on a scholarship for Manhattan College
  • Dan Ruland – Former professional basketball player
  • Donald Sims – Professional basketball player
  • Khyri Thomas (born 1996) - Drafted 38th overall in the 2018 NBA draft, currently with Maccabi Tel Aviv of the Israeli Basketball Premier League and the EuroLeague.{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/thomakh01.html|title=Khyri Thomas Stats|website=Basketball-Reference.com|accessdate=May 24, 2021}}
  • Melvin Turpin (1960-2010) – 1st round pick (6th overall) 1984 NBA draft. Center.
  • Kenny Williams (born 1969) - basketball player
  • Shammond Williams – Drafted 34th overall in the 1998 NBA draft and played nearly a decade in the NBA.{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/willish01.html|title=Shammond Williams Stats|website=Basketball-Reference.com|accessdate=May 24, 2021}} On several Top 10 stats lists as a college player at UNC.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/shammond-williams-1.html|title=Shammond Williams College Stats|website=College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com|accessdate=May 24, 2021}}
  • Mike Young – Head men's basketball coach at Virginia Tech

=National Football League=

{{Multiple issues|section=yes|

{{alumni|date=March 2019}}

{{third-party|date=March 2019}}

}}

At least 117 Fork Union Military Academy players have been drafted or signed by NFL teams.{{cite web |title=Fork Union Alumni in the NFL |url=https://athletics.forkunion.com/sports/2017/9/7/fuma-alumni-in-the-nfl.aspx |website=Fork Union Military Athletics}}

At least 12 players from Fork Union Military Academy have been selected in the First Round of the NFL Draft since 1954, 7 players have been selected for one or more Pro Bowl appearances, and at least 12 players have been on teams that competed in Super Bowl games.

The list includes:

Notable faculty

  • Samuel G. Fuqua – Retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral. He was the highest-ranking officer to survive the USS Arizona on December 7, 1941. For his actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. He was a mathematics instructor at Fork Union in the late 1950's.

References

{{reflist}}

External links

{{commons category|Fork Union Military Academy}}

  • [http://www.forkunion.com/ Official website]
  • [https://www.youtube.com/user/ForkUnionMilitary FUMA YouTube profile]

{{Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States}}

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Category:Baptist Christianity in Virginia

Category:Baptist schools in the United States

Category:Christian schools in Virginia

Category:Educational institutions established in 1898

Category:Military high schools in the United States

Category:Private high schools in Virginia

Category:Private middle schools in Virginia

Category:Schools in Fluvanna County, Virginia

Category:Boarding schools in Virginia

Category:Boys' schools in the United States

Category:1898 establishments in Virginia