Staff/Faculty Snapshot

A news feature about a staff or faculty member.

Get to Know Phil Hampton - Middle School Faculty

Submitted by LArmstrong on Tue, 04/23/2013 - 8:33am

Name:   Phil Hampton      Years at FUMA: 3 years teaching, 3 years as a student

Title: Computer Applications Instructor

Duties: I instruct 7th and 8th graders on MS Office and work with teachers on common topics to re-enforce content.  I make myself available for extra help in the computer lab on Thursdays and Fridays and I oversee study hall for the Middle School every Thursday.

Describe yourself in one sentence. I am a loving father and husband who will give the shirt off his back to help others.

What is your favorite FUMA memory? As a student, I was constantly competing in football games, baseball games, and competitions with Retan Rifles as well as the Color Guard.  I was training with friends and all of us wanted to give our best to show other schools what we were made of. 

In the time you have been at the Academy, what do you feel has been your biggest accomplishment? I feel that my biggest accomplishment has been to open students’ eyes as to how to use technology in different ways:  using Excel to do math homework or taking notes in OneNote. I hope I have been able to help students realize that there are tools out there and all they need to do is put them in their tool box to help them out with life.

What job duties/responsibilities do you have at FUMA that others may not be aware of? During the past two years I have been an assistant for the Middle School baseball team.

Get to Know Jim Rooney - Upper School Faculty

Submitted by LArmstrong on Tue, 04/09/2013 - 11:06am

Name:  Jim Rooney     Years at FUMA:  7

Duties: Upper School German language teacher, assistant varsity soccer coach, assistant junior prep basketball coach

Describe yourself in one sentence. I am a patient and congenial person, but I demand that my students work hard to succeed in my classes.

What is your favorite FUMA memory? Over the years, I have accumulated many favorite memories, but if I had to choose, I would say that one of my fondest memories was watching my first group of German students at graduation during my first year here at the Academy.

In the time you have been at the Academy, what do you feel has been your biggest accomplishment?  I believe that my biggest accomplishment is having former students come back to visit with me, and tell me that they appreciate what I did for them.  Many times they still speak to me in German, which is a good sign that they took away something from my classes.  It is a great personal accomplishment when they go on to study German in college, and perform well in their classes at the undergraduate level.  It shows that I have prepared them well enough to succeed.

What job duties/responsibilities do you have at FUMA that others may not be aware of?  I instruct the evening SAT verbal preparation classes both in the fall and spring.

If you were given two free tickets to any sporting or entertainment event in the U.S., what would be the name of the event or performer printed on those tickets?  A Dolly Parton concert

What is your favorite pastime?  Reading, mainly European history

Get to Know LTC Donald Moore - Director of Development

Submitted by LArmstrong on Mon, 04/01/2013 - 9:28am

Name:  LTC Don Moore       Years at FUMA: one year as a staff member and three years as a cadet

Duties:  I supervise a staff of superstars responsible for all aspects of fundraising, advancement, communications, and our Alumni and Parent’s Associations.  We work closely with parents, alumni, volunteers, trustees and friends in support of all our development efforts and events.

Describe yourself in one sentence. I am a loyal, dependable and hardworking husband, father, and man.

What is your favorite FUMA memory? All my great memories of the Academy became even more alive last May when I returned here to work in the position I currently hold.

In the time you have been at the Academy, what do you feel has been your biggest accomplishment? We have all accomplished a huge feat each time an alumnus returns to the Academy or someone is introduced to FUMA for the first time.

What job duties/responsibilities do you have at FUMA that others may not be aware of? Among the many duties of the Development Staff listed above, most are not aware that we are also responsible for the Academy’s website, its content, the Call to Quarters, all social media, and significantly contribute to the marketing and advertisement efforts.

If you were given two free tickets to any sporting or entertainment event in the U.S., what would be the name of the event or performer printed on those tickets? I would enjoy an opportunity to attend an Eco-Challenge Adventure Race, the Super Bowl, or a Dave Matthews concert.

Get to Know Steve Friski - Upper School Faculty

Submitted by LArmstrong on Mon, 03/25/2013 - 9:46am

Name: Steve Friski      Years at FUMA: 33 years

Duties: I teach US history, AP US history, coordinate the advisor/advisee program, and help coach JV soccer.  

Describe yourself in one sentence. I have fifty years of military school experience – prep school (5), VMI (4) and teaching (41).

What is your favorite FUMA memory? My favorite memory is watching my son, Scott, deliver the FUMA Middle School valedictory address after being awarded the Best All-Around Cadet medal.

In the time you have been at the Academy, what do you feel has been your biggest accomplishment? I have coached teams at all four levels: middle school baseball and basketball; ninth grade basketball; junior prep baseball, basketball and soccer; prep baseball, football, wrestling and tennis; post graduate baseball and football.

What job duties/responsibilities do you have at FUMA that others may not be aware of? At FUMA, I administer SAT and ACT tests, I am a Cadet Performance Review team leader, and I teach US history in Summer School.

If you were given two free tickets to any sporting or entertainment event in the U.S., what would be the name of the event or performer printed on those tickets? I would like to have tickets to a Presidential Inauguration.

What is your favorite pastime? I am a VHSL referee and umpire.  I work in two basketball leagues and six baseball leagues.  I am very active in youth level sports.

Get to Know Dan Thompson - Director of Communications

Submitted by LArmstrong on Fri, 03/08/2013 - 3:07pm

Name: Dan Thompson

Years at FUMA: I've lived in the Fork Union community for many years and joined the FUMA staff as Director of Communications in January 2004.

Duties: I am responsible for the school's website, marketing and advertising, design and production of most printed materials for the Admissions and Development departments, photography, and writing and producing the alumni magazine Call to Quarters.

Describe yourself in one sentence: I'm a pretty optimistic and outgoing guy who tends to find the fun in life, except when I'm being moody.

What is your favorite FUMA memory? It's kind of cliché to say that graduation is my favorite memory, but I remember my first time taking photographs of cadets in May 2004 as they received their diplomas and returned to their seats. For each one of them, there was always a special moment when they would sit down with a big grin on their face and then, quietly, reflectively, they would open their diploma folder and just look at it, just kind of absorb the moment. The look on their faces was always a mixture of pride, relief, satisfaction, and a bit of astonishment at their accomplishment. I look for that moment each year. It is always a powerful and emotional thing to witness. It motivates me to come back and do better in telling the Academy's story.

Get to Know Katherine Giszack - Upper School Faculty

Submitted by LArmstrong on Wed, 02/27/2013 - 1:23pm

Name:  Katherine Giszack

Years at FUMA:  We moved to FUMA in 1997, and I have worked at the Academy in a variety of capacities since that time (1998-1999 in the Middle School; various summer school sessions and, most recently, Middle School English 2010-2011 and US ESL 2011-present.) 

Duties: Upper School ESL (English as a Second Language) Teacher; Summer school teacher (English and Study Skills); Middle School tutor; FUMA “blogger”

Describe yourself in one sentence. I want to find the meaning in each day and help others do the same.

What is your favorite FUMA memory? I have many special FUMA memories, but the 100th year anniversary celebration in 1998 stands out in my mind.  The pageantry of the parades, the gala ball and festivities were unforgettable, as was hearing the history of those who have gone before at this life-changing school.

In the time you have been at the Academy, what do you feel has been your biggest accomplishment? My husband and I began our family as well as our careers at FUMA, so the Academy is intertwined with  our milestones and memories throughout the years.  Even so, I hope the best is yet to be!

What job duties/responsibilities do you have at FUMA that others may not be aware of? I have always enjoyed extending hospitality, whether it is through an official venue like serving as a hostess at FUMA events, sharing our home with international students or simply welcoming visitors to the Academy.

Get to Know Matt Winseman - Upper School Faculty

Submitted by LArmstrong on Fri, 02/15/2013 - 2:53pm

Name: Matthew Winseman           Title: Upper School Teacher         Years at FUMA: 2

Duties: Upper School Math Instructor (Algebra I / Geometry), Jr. Prep Football Coach, and Varsity Wrestling Coach

Describe yourself in one sentence. I am a family man.

What is your favorite FUMA memory? My favorite FUMA memory is EASILY watching Samuel Posner pin a Benedictine wrestler on Benedictine’s senior night.  The pin secured a one-point team victory over Benedictine.  Great night! 

In the time you have been at the Academy, what do you feel has been your biggest accomplishment? My biggest accomplishment, since I have been at the Academy, is that the students I am teaching in the lower level math classes seem to be faring quite well as they move up through the courses. 

What job duties/responsibilities do you have at FUMA that others may not be aware of? On February 2nd, 2013, I organized and administered the Virginia Prep League Wrestling Championships in Thomas Gym here at FUMA. 

If you were given two free tickets to any sporting or entertainment event in the U.S., what would be the name of the event or performer printed on those tickets? That’s easy...the Super Bowl (with the Buffalo Bills in it and winning it, of course).  A guy can dream.

What is your favorite pastime? Spending time with my family and watching my sons have a Royal Rumble in the living room.  Also, I really like to cook.   

Get to Know Larry McIlnay - Director of Food Service

Submitted by LArmstrong on Fri, 02/08/2013 - 4:20pm

Name:  Larry A. McIlnay     Title:  Director FUMA Dining Service     Years at FUMA:   16

Duties: I am responsible for menu preparation, recipes, purchasing, inventory, scheduling, and payroll preparation for the Estes Dining Hall, Cadet Store and Sabre Shop.

Describe yourself in one sentence. Extremely serious about what I do in the service of the Lord

What is your favorite FUMA memory?  Memories are created daily at FUMA.  Watching my first parade in 1998 brought tears to my eyes and still does today just thinking about how these young men arrive here as individuals and learn to cooperate as a group.

In the time you have been at the Academy, what do you feel has been your biggest accomplishment? I feel that my greatest accomplishment might be my work with cadet advisees.  I appreciate receiving telephone calls from former advisees who tell me they hated it here the entire time we were together. Sometimes this is a period of four years.  They tell me how they thought it was ridiculous that I made them set goals every year and accomplish them. Once they accomplished those goals, they had to write new ones.  Now they are setting their goals in college and life and keeping them in their wallets and looking at them every day.  They tell me that they miss FUMA, their friends, teachers and the good times they actually had while here.  Hearing just one of these former advisees tell how FUMA made a difference in his life is my biggest accomplishment.

Get to Know Jonathan Greenspon - Middle School Faculty

Submitted by LArmstrong on Thu, 01/31/2013 - 9:26am

Name:  Jonathan Greenspon          Title:  Middle School Teacher/Coach, Assistant Scoutmaster
Years at FUMA: I am currently in my second year.                                                                                                                     

Duties:  I teach Middle School 6th and 7th grade English and history classes as well as coach wrestling and lacrosse for the Middle School.  I also assist with Boy Scout Troop 125 whenever I can.

Describe yourself in one sentence. I am an educated and honorable man, a lifelong learner, confident in the functions and attitudes of servant leadership, and an advocate of the American democracy and free enterprise system.

What is your favorite FUMA memory? My favorite FUMA memory is of camping with BSA Troop 125 at the Terry farm, observing the scouts from the Upper School and Middle School having fun while developing their leadership skills and enjoying skits and songs by the campfire at night.

Get to Know Brian Hurlocker - Upper School Faculty

Submitted by LArmstrong on Fri, 01/18/2013 - 2:31pm

Name: Brian Hurlocker           Title: Upper School Faculty            Years at FUMA: 9

Duties: Teaching PG Writing and Sociology; Coaching Prep Football Team; Coaching Track

Describe yourself in one sentence. I am meticulous and compassionate in all aspects of my life and work.

What is your favorite FUMA memory? Memories are mental scrapbooks that we have of special events in our lives; in my many years at FUMA, as a cadet, a teacher, and coach, I have scrapbooks full!  I can list multiple moments during my time as a cadet, where brotherhood was defined and friendships were built. As a teacher, I can recollect the “ah-ha” moments of my students when they finally figured something out. As a coach, I smile remembering the moment a player cheered because “he got it!” While I can't specify a favorite Fork Union memory because there are just too many, I can say that FUMA is the base of many memories! 

In the time you have been at the Academy, what do you feel has been your biggest accomplishment? Coming to work as a teacher at FUMA has been my biggest accomplishment. Taking this position has provided a view of education as a driving force in the success of the many young men who attend FUMA. Being able to teach them lessons of instruction that can be carried out into real world situations is rewarding.

What job duties/responsibilities do you have at FUMA that others may not be aware of? While some may know that I am a teacher and coach, many do not know that I also work in the maintenance department during the summer months. I am known to be a great weeder!!

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