After graduation from Old Dominion University, Joe began his first teaching position at Fork Union Military Academy in 1971.
He taught World Geography and World History. As Assistant Planetarium Director, he used his Astronomy and Planetarium education to offer planetarium programs at the FUMA Planetarium and sponsored the Astronomy Club. He was a member of the Middle Atlantic Planetarium Society and the International Planetarium Society. Additional information on Joe's Astronomy education and use of the Planetarium may be found on the webpage: "Jim and Joe in College." Additional information about Jim and Joe may be found on the webpage: "Sermons from South Norfolk (Audio)."
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Joe and his brother Jim on a visit to FUMA:
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Joe was Tactical Officer for E Company, housed in Memorial Hall Barracks, seen in the background of the next photo. Cadets are seen formed up on the circle. One-half of Memorial Hall, in the foreground, housed C Company; the other half of the building housed E Company.
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(Some photos/videos are provided courtesy of FUMA)
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KEVIN C. KOONTZ, CAPTAIN OF E COMPANY
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CAPT KOONTZ WAS LATER SUCEEDED BY STOVER S. JAMES.
E COMPANY WON COMPANY COMPETITON FOR 1971-72; AND THE COMPANY WAS INFORMALLY KNOWN AS THE "JAMES GANG." STOVER WAS LATER ACCEPTED INTO WEST POINT MILITARY ACADEMY. HE IS NOW RETIRED FROM THE U.S. ARMY, WITH THE RANK OF COLONEL.
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DOUG SULLIVAN 1st LIEUTENANT E COMPANY
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T.H. LINEBERRY 2nd LIEUTENANT
E COMPANY.
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Jeff Gianokis 2nd LIEUTENANT E COMPANY
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JOHN VENUTO 2nd LIEUTENANT E COMPANY
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SCIENCE CLUB MEETS INSIDE PLANETARIUM:
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FUMA is fortunate to have a Spitz instrument. It is well known that if an institution could not afford a Zeiss Planetarium, the next best was the Spitz. It has high grade optics, much better than other brands; and the dome is constructed without any seams showing during a presentation.
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A3P Instrument at Chesapeake Public Schools. (Where my brother an I attended). In operation with the same Spitz instrument and dome for over 50 years:
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Our family often took trips during the summer to visit the Morehead Planetarium in Chapel Hill, NC. I first became interested in Astronomy and the Planetarium there.
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Entrance to the Morehead Planetarium Theater:
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Note the Bible verse over the entrance:
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The Morehead Planetarium used this Zeiss Instrument illustrated in the following tribute video:
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School groups often attended programs in the FUMA planetarium:
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The Spitz A-4 instrument installed in the FUMA Planetarium can be lowered out of sight with a sliding electric cover. It uses a desk-type console.
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Photos of Academic Dean and President when Joe was at FUMA:
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REMEMBERING COL WHITESCARVER
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ROANOKE TIMES: SEPTEMBER 13, 2007:
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As a former Instructor at FUMA who used the One Subject Plan, I highly recommend it to any parent thinking of sending their son there. They will not be disappointed in the excellent education their son will receive. I found the student-to-teacher ratio was more efficient and the cadets learned more by staying focused on one subject. My highest recommendation.
-Joe Hughes
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Several videos provide information about the school, courtesy of FUMA:
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RETAN RIFLES is named in memory of former Cadet George Retan, who entered FUMA in 1937 and graduated in 1941. He served overseas and was killed in action in 1944.
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CPT LAZIZZA CONDUCTS THE FUMA BAND IN THE DECEMBER 15, 1971 CHRISTMAS CONCERT:
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MAJ BILLY OZMENT WAS GIVEN TITLE OF PLANETARIUM DIRECTOR, AND ASST. TO THE DEAN. (HENCE MY TITLE AS "ASSISTANT PLANETARIUM DIRECTOR"):
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CHARLES F. HOFFMAN SERVED AS QUATERMASTER:
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More information about Susie Payne Cooper (mentioned in above FUMA marker); obituary, death certificate, gravestone in the Fork Union Memorial Cemetery:
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Information about the fournder of FUMA, Dr. William E. Hatcher:
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Some photos from the past and present day:
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Films of Fork Union from past years:
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(Details of trip photos in PDFs below)
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The statue was first unveiled in the Virginia State Capitol:
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J. CALDWELL WICKER SCIENCE BUILDING AND PLANETARIUM
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THE SCIENCE BUILDING AND PLANETARIUM WAS NAMED FOR FORMER FUMA PRESIDENT J. CALDWELL WICKER
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DURING THE MAY 2024 VISIT TO FUMA, I WAS SHOCKED TO LEARN THAT THE PLANETARIUM HAD BEEN REMOVED:
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NEGLECTING PROPER MAINTENANCE, WHICH LED TO MAJOR WATER LEAKS AND SUBSEQUENTLY NOT LOOKING FOR PROPER REPAIRS/REPLACEMENT OF THE DOME WAS THE REAL CULPRIT.
EXAMINATION OF THE GOVERNMENT'S 100 YEAR FLOOD PLAIN MAP CLEARLY INDICATES THAT THE ACADEMY DOES NOT SIT ANYWHERE NEAR A FLOODED AREA. AND: PREVIOUS EARTHQUAKES IN VIRGINIA PLAYED ON PART IN DAMAGE TO THE PLANETARIUM.
THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE APPEARED IN AUGUST 2023 BY THE FORMER PRESIDENT WHO ORCHESTRATED THE REMOVAL OF THE PLANETARIUM, AND IS, THANKFULLY, NO LONGER THERE:
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A careful reading of this article reveals what really happened: the trustees wanted to retain the Planetarium (the correct answer); but due to substandard previous repairs to the dome, during a previous president's tenure, the leaking progressed. Yet, no effort was made to contact the Alumni or Friends of the Academy to ascertain if someone would come forward and provide the funds for a quality, and not 'contractor grade' repair.
The article states that the equipment didn't work; which was another surprise. Was Spitz Corporation contacted? What was their recommendation? Who was the Instructor assigned to the Planetarium? Certainly he would have been aware of needed repairs. Again, no concerted effort was made to inform Alumni and Friends before the date of the article, August 2023, when the demolition took place. It seems their only answer was to tear down the Planetarium.
During my active duty Army experience, I recall one post which had an excellent Facilities
Manager. He stayed on top of any minor situation (before they became
major) that might arise, and would alert the appropriate individuals
about what needed to be done to expedite repairs in a timely and quality
fashion. He made regular inspections to ensure that the buildings
under his supervision were operating normally, and, I might add, even
what we call the "World War II wood" buildings were routinely inspected.
Earlier, while on the staff of the 1,000 acre Ridgecrest Baptist Assembly
religious facility in North Carolina, I saw their buildings and grounds were routinely
inspected and kept up. My Father who was on
the Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention Assemblies
Committee for 5 terms, was aware of what was done in terms of upkeep, maintenance, and new building projects.
Currently, the Academy has some notion of replacing the area previously occupied by the Planetarium next to the Science Building with an outdoor seating area for the Cadets. This is an unfortunate loss of a valuable teaching building; very few colleges and even fewer high schools have a Planetarium. This is so regrettable.
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THEY WANT TO REPLACE THE PLANETARIUM WITH THIS:
(which I would not consider contributing to)
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MY TRIP TO THE ACADEMY IN 2024 ALSO REVEALED ANOTHER BUILDING TORN DOWN: MEMORIAL HALL.
WHY WAS MEMORIAL HALL TORN DOWN? I WAS NOT GIVEN ANY REASONABLE EXPLANATION; NOTHING ABOUT EARTHQUAKES, FLOODING, LEAKS, ETC.; EXCEPT THAT IT WAS NOT BEING USED.
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THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A PLANETARIUM IN A SCHOOL
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THE PLANETARIUM AT 100 in 2023
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Schools and Colleges employ Physics and Earth Science instructors who use the Planetarium to teach astronomy and physics; also how to locate constellations and star groups. Some college courses are entrance level, and some lead to advanced degrees. Old Dominion University offers several 4 hour lab science courses of study that cover 2 semesters in Chemistry, Biology, Geology, Earth Science and Astronomy. They offer a graduate level Planetarium course with permission of the professor. Currently (2023) there are 200,000 students in the United States studying Astronomy.
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In a Planetarium, students learn to identify star groups and constellations:
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Motion of the planets, the sun, and stars across the sky are identified and charted easily with use of the Planetarium:
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INTERIOR OF CHAPEL STILL USING ORIGINAL SEATS AND THE ALLEN ORGAN ON THE RIGHT SIDE, GRAND PIANO ON THE LEFT.
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(As you enter the chapel, four of the windows on the right side, depict Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John).
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CHAPLAIN (MAJ) JOSEPH HUGHES, USA, Retired:
DETAIL PHOTOS AND DESCRIPTION OF HIS TRIP TO FUMA, MAY 20, 2024
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OTHER WINDOWS, NOT IN PDF FORMAT:
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A 2024 Trip to Fork Union Postscript...........
In spite of what I found on my May 2024 trip to Fork Union, which I found unnerving due to the removal of the Planetarium building, I still support the Academy and it's traditions. I feel it is far superior in educating young men for life than what can be found in today's public schools. I would encourage all parents to take a careful look at Fork Union and consider it for their son. The One-Subject Plan is excellent and the faculty-to-student classroom ratio ensures quality instruction not found in many high schools that are overcrowded.
My 2024 trip had the express and intended purpose of immediately funding any repairs needed to the Planetarium and endow a chair for an instructor who would teach Physics or Chemistry; and Astronomy, with particular emphasis on duties as Director of the Planetarium. My prearranged contact with the school included my verbal request to speak with someone in the administration about making an immediate donation and subsequent bequest concerning the Planetarium.
Perhaps someone will consider funding a new Planetarium for the school and endow a chair for an instructor who will teach Astronomy and Physics and/or Chemistry.
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THE VALUE OF THE PLANETARIUM IN EDUCATION - PUBLISHED IN AUGUST 2023
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