Waynesboro, VA: Fishburne Military School will honor Professor James A. Fishburne’s Legacy on April 10. Founder’s Day is an opportunity for all alumni, parents (past and present), staff, faculty,
and friends to salute Professor Fishburne on his 173rd birthday. FMS will also host a Since 1879 Day of Giving, an online giving initiative to enhance the Fishburne Experience. The City of Waynesboro has prepared a proclamation declaring April 10th as Professor James Abbott Fishburne Day. Vice Mayor Jim Wood will read the proclamation during the ceremony.
We plan to look back to his 29th birthday in 1879 to honor his Legacy, and we look forward to supporting the Corps of Cadets. We hope the community will join us! The public is invited to the following events:
- The Corps of Cadets will march to Ridgeview Cemetery to honor Professor Fishburne at his graveside at 11 a.m.
- A birthday cake cutting will be held in the Fishburne Sonneborn Mess Hall at 1 p.m.
- A Since 1879 Giving Day to support the Corps of Cadets – mblayst.com/support/make-a-gift
Fishburne is the oldest military all-boys high school in the Commonwealth and the 13th oldest military school in the U.S. In 1879, Professor James Abbot Fishburne said, “It is my purpose to have here an institution which shall rank as first class to everything that constitutes true worth, and from which shall go forth loyal, earnest, industrious young men (boys) well equipped for the duties and responsibilities of life, and, above all else, to maintain a high standard of honor and integrity.”
Fishburne Military School has changed with the times, but our mission remains committed to Professor Fishburne’s vision, to ensure Fishburne Cadets are “well equipped for the duties and responsibilities of life, and above all else, to maintain a high standard of honor and integrity in Corps of Cadets.”
BG William W. Alexander, Jr. (VA) ’64, FMS alumnus and Board of Trustee said, “In honoring Professor James A. Fishburne’s Legacy, today represents an opportunity to include the Corps of Cadets to embrace, discover, and honor the importance of Founder’s Day and the history of Fishburne Military School. Further, we see this as a moment to highlight our heritage and strengthen relationships with our alumni, and friends of Fishburne as we march to our 150th anniversary in 2029.”
These events are open to the public. Contact the advancement office at Fishburne Military School with questions regarding the event: advancement@mblayst.com.
