Forging Future Leaders at Fork Union Military Academy

Marshall Center Takes Ethical Leadership Program on the Road

Students presenting during the Ethical Leadership Conference

Last week, we took General Marshall’s leadership lessons on the road to the prestigious Fork Union Military Academy, where 15 high school students participated in an on-site session of “Five Star Character: The George C. Marshall Ethical Leadership Conference.”

Held at the academy’s campus in Fork Union, Virginia, the program provided a unique opportunity to bring Marshall’s example to life with a new audience in an environment with a longstanding focus on leadership.

In his opening remarks Fork Union Academy President Captain Mark Black tied the ELC’s lessons to the school’s core values of respect, integrity, faith, discipline and character.

Student attendees, Valérie Beaudoin and Pete Janhunen

 Pete Janhunen, Director of The Marshall Center’s ELC program, led the two-day session centered on General Marshall’s example of visionary leadership, selfless service and unwavering integrity.

“This program was designed not only to hone students’ leadership abilities but to cultivate a deeper understanding of their potential to make meaningful contributions to the world,” said Janhunen. “I’m very pleased that these bright and impressive young students responded to Marshall’s example and understood why he remains a highly relevant and inspiring historical figure.”

The training included a series of breakout sessions in which students applied Marshall’s three ethical leadership pillars to solve challenges close to home and across the globe.  They then developed presentations on founding new nonprofits – each aligned with a distinct area of social impact – focusing on STEM education, physical education and financial literacy.

Fork Union Commandant GySgt Charlie Coulter, USMC Retired, sent a powerful note of the thanks to Marshall Center Executive Director Valérie Beaudoin.

“Your expertise and insight into leadership, combined with the engaging activities, made a lasting impact on our cadets,” Coulter wrote. “The students were truly inspired by the experience and have expressed how valuable the lessons and discussions were in helping them grow both as leaders and individuals.”

We look forward to taking Five-Star Character to other schools, and we are excited to host our next ELC session for high school students in Leesburg on February 7-8.  Only a few spots left, apply today!