Fishburne Military School Welcomes 12th Superintendent
Fishburne Military School Welcomes 12th Superintendent
Retired Navy Captain Mark E. Black assumes leadership of 137-year-old military school
Waynesboro, VA – Fishburne Military School has officially selected retired Navy Captain Mark E. Black as the school’s 12th Superintendent. Black, a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute and 30-year veteran of the United States Navy has most recently served as Commanding Officer and Professor of Naval Science at the University of Virginia’s Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) Unit.
In accepting the position, Black noted “Educating young men and preparing them for the duties and responsibilities inherent in life is one of the most important roles in our society. Our nation needs forthright leaders in the future; stalwart leaders of the caliber Fishburne Military School has historically produced.”
Mr. Eugene LeFloch, FMS Class of 1960 and President of the Fishburne-Hudgins Educational Foundation (the non-profit organization which operates Fishburne Military School), welcomed Black to the Fishburne Family saying, “We are proud to have a TOPGUN for our TOP school. Captain Black will undoubtedly lead Fishburne Military School to new heights in educating the future leaders of America and the World.”
Black and his wife, Kim, have raised two sons. Victor is a graduate of Tennessee Wesleyan College and serving as a US Army Ranger. Luke graduated from Ferrum College and is training as an Explosive Ordinance Disposal technician with the West Virginia National Guard.
Looking ahead, Black further noted “Kim and I embrace this challenge and look forward to contributing to the perpetuation of the high standards of honor, integrity and fortitude encompassed by the Fishburne Military School Corps of Cadets.”
Black graduated with Distinction with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from VMI and commissioned in the US Navy in 1986. Black was designated as a Naval Flight Officer and is a graduate of the famed Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN). During his Navy career, he was selected to serve as a Squadron Commander and a Wing Commander before being assigned to lead all Navy personnel in Afghanistan as the NAVCENT Forward Afghanistan Officer in Charge. As the Commodore of the Strike Fighter Wing Pacific Fleet, Black led 23 squadrons, over 350 aircraft and 6,200 officers and Sailors.
In addition to his Bachelor’s degree from VMI, Black holds a Master of Arts degree in Strategic Studies from the Air War College. He has graduated from the National Defense University Joint Forces Staff College and the Navy Executive Development Course at UVA’s Darden School of Business.
Fishburne Military School is the oldest and smallest of all military schools for boys in Virginia. Its college-prep curriculum is built upon the structure of an Army JROTC program. FMS is designated as a JROTC Honor Unit with Distinction and may nominate qualified candidates to the United States Service Academies. Fishburne hosts one of only four Summer JROTC programs in the nation, accredited by US Army Cadet Command. For more information visit www.fishburne.org.
