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 outside the Planetarium: (Photo by Jim Hughes)
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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, BEFORE THE BASE AND STAR PROJECTOR WAS DEFACED WITH BLUE PAINT (MORE INFORMATION BELOW):
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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 and I attended). In operation with the same Spitz instrument and dome for over 50 years:
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I first became interested in Astronomy one summer when our family visited my Mother's parents in Norman, Oklahoma. She had graduated from Oklahoma University and knew the current Astronomy professor.
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Our family often took trips during the summer to visit the Morehead Planetarium in Chapel Hill, NC. where I first became interested in the application of Astronomy through the Planetarium.
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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 and elevator. 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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Information about the fournder of FUMA, Dr. William E. Hatcher:
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Some photos from the past and present:
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Detail of Hatcher Hall covered in Ivy and a Megaphone for the bugler. (See detail in pdf below picture).
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Films about 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 A 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 NO PART IN DAMAGE TO THE PLANETARIUM.
THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE APPEARED IN AUGUST 2023, BY FORMER PRESIDENT COGGINS, WHO ORCHESTRATED THE REMOVAL OF THE PLANETARIUM, AND WHO IS, THANKFULLY, NO LONGER THERE:
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If the Planetarium instrument was considered non-operational, why was no effort made to contact the Spitz corporation to come and facilitate repairs?
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If Col. Coggins means that the Planetarium instrument itself was "not operational" then that indicates proper maintenance was not done on a routine basis, and if repairs were needed, why was not the Spitz Corporation contacted to come in and make necessary repairs? Who was teaching Earth Science/Astronomy at the time who would have some knowledge of the situation? Non-operational does NOT mean obsolete.
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WHY WAS THE BASE (INTO WHICH THE STAR PROJECTOR RETRACTS ELECTRONICALLY), PAINTED BLUE?
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THE FORMER PRESIDENT (COGGINS) WANTED TO REPLACE THE PLANETARIUM LAND AREA, WITH THIS RIDICULOUS SUBSTITUTE:
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MY TRIP TO THE ACADEMY IN 2024,
ALSO REVEALED TWO MORE BUILDINGS TORN DOWN: MEMORIAL HALL AND THE SABRE SHOP.
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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I learned that the Sabre Shop was torn down, presumably because a major water leak under the foundation went undetected. Why? Who was/is in charge of facilities maintenance and inspection?
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Now, in 2025, the Middle School Barracks is being torn down. Why? The news article ("A Campus in Renewal" dated Aug 2025) from the Academy stated that nothing is being planned for the site. "Stewardship of resources" is mentioned as the reason (again) for no renovation of the Barracks, and includes the sentence, "Clearing this space...creates a new gateway into the Academy." What does that mean? A "new gateway"? The Academy already has a main entrance/gateway. Why would you put another entrance where the Barracks were, where there is no road and other facilities are in the way? To me, this is another made-up story line written by someone who is trying to help justify the removal of another structure.
The same "new gateway" wording was used in the same article about the "Veranda" which is to replace the Planetarium, torn down the year before.
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The Aug 2025 article closed with this sentence, and note the key phrase "We do not know".
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To the trustees who may be reading this page: Why is there no long-range planning being done? Where is the Master Plan for the Academy? Who is the director of development? Why are buildings being torn down with no specific plan for replacement/renovation?
Think about these buildings mentioned on this page, being torn down: it sounds like someone is 'flying by the seat of their pants' with no firm goals in mind. And, this type disorganization sends the wrong message to prospective parents and their children. But, "We (they) do not know."
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What are the Alumni saying about all these buildings coming down? A Facebook page run by one Alumni has posted many critical comments about the removal of the Planetarium, and one in particular, was telling: "When are they going to stop tearing down buildings? There won't be many left." (Emphasis mine).
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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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The United States has always supported science education for students, including Astronomy. Here is one President promoting the teaching of Astronomy at the White House:
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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, Ret.:
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 was 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.
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Notice how financially reasonable it would be to maintain a good Spitz Planetarium system:
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Perhaps someone will consider funding a new Planetarium building for the Academy. Perhaps then the administration will take seriously their obligation to take care of the buildings and equipment. Then let's talk about installing the instrument and endowing a chair for an Instructor who will teach Earth Science, Physics, or Chemistry AND Astronomy.
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THE VALUE OF THE PLANETARIUM IN EDUCATION - PUBLISHED IN AUGUST 2023
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There are many educational uses of the planetarium, not only in Astronomy, but in other subject areas. Newly developed upgraded equipment by the Spitz Corporation, have made the teaching of other subjects across a broad spectrum of areas and grade levels possible. Some of these instruments allow most teachers, with no science background in planetarium operation, to quickly learn the basics of presenting their own subject material to the students.
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Reminiscing about my time spent at Fork Union, I thought of the Public Broadcasting TV series, "To Serve Them All My Days," now in public domain and available online. It portrays much similarity between FUMA, and the school and it's faculty experiences in this series.
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David, the History Instructor and a Housemaster, with the school's Headmaster:
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Words to the hymn sung in the opening sequence by the choir, students, and faculty, speaks to serving God all our days:
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David's first day of class was challenging, as is for any first-time teacher:
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The Housemaster in this series, like a Tactical Officer of a Company, was also asked, to counsel students with their problems:
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A NEW PODCAST BY FORMER FUMA CADET JASON REWALD IS AS GOOD AS ANY ORAL HISTORY EVER RECORDED.
This is a must-listen audio podcast series now available on-line. Episodes include reference to the ghost of Hatcher Hall, mentioned is also mentioned in the book, "Ghosts Around the House" (Excerpt provided below). Also, he tells about about finding underground tunnels that connect the Middle School gym with Hatcher Hall and Fraley Circle, complete with radio equipment. His description of Col. "Red" Pulliam getting hit with a snowball is classic.
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How did the suds suddenly appear flowing out of the FUMA Fountain...at night?
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"I remember being on duty one night and having to go into Hatcher Hall. You could hear creaking and what sounded like steps on an upper floor. It did give me a chill." -J.H.
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Remembering some of the past Presidents and other notables.......
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