Augusta Military Academy - Recall Yearbook (Fort Defiance, VA)

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te nal Built in 1926, Memorial Gymnasium is one of the largest prep school gyms in the country. Scene of basketball games, wrestling meets, rifle matches, and swimming meets, it is also used for classrooms by the Military De- partment, for dances ‘from the Opening Informal to the Final Ball, for plays, and for the big day —graduation! ... Freedom to learn, and to play... When big barracks was built in 1914, Col. Roller and his brother, Col. Thomas J. Roller, saw their dreams fulfilled. From a school of ten day students after the Civil War, AMA had mushroomed from the ‘‘Ole House”’ to a modern community. Then came the $500,000 gymnasium in 1926, a new memorial archway and drive in 1940, and with his eye on the science of the future, Col. Roller had a new science hall built in 1947, as a me- morial to his brother. New equipment and yearly expansion have been keywords to Col. Roller. Biology was added to the curriculum in 1947, and in 1953, geology was started, giving AMA the distinction of being one of the few schools in the United States to have such a course on the prep school level. Ever looking ahead, Col. Roller wants to add more science equipment, to build a new mess hall, and to enlarge all facil- ities at Fort Defiance. At Augusta, there is, indeed, incentive to learn, freedom to play.

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EAGER, ENTHUSIASTIC, ENERGETIC . . . to the beat of drums, the corps marches past the ‘“Ole House’ to assembly in the ‘Big Room’’, for morning prayer and announcements, signaling the start of classes. EVACUATION FROM DEANE’S CASTLE .. . just as recess begins, Timberlake, Barber, McVey, J. H. Morris and Van Evera take a break from classes, showing no strain—pno strain. Ht ui A ian se Ul —

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The Academy Progress—’59 .. . new members of the fac- ulty . . . added strength to continue the pro- gram of a good, sound academic background for each cadet at Augusta. Men and women to guide the individual . . . to develop freedom of thought . . . to create incentive in each cadet for the huge task ahead . . . to open new worlds of knowledge. Courses tightened and strengthened to sup- plement the work of the instructor . . . prob- lems in math and sciences once seen only in college texts . . . place mats at lunch to in- terest all in astronomy and the space age. Study time stressed . . . more inspectors to give help and to prevent backsliding . . . longer study hours at exam time. This is the picture of a private school and the faculty which per- sonify progress —’59. BRAIN TRUST .. . the Big Three pose briefly during Government Inspection time. Col. Roller, Miss Walker and Col, Deane take a breather from their duties. PLEASANT DUTIES . . . C ol. Deane, headmaster, and Col. McCue, vice chairman of the Academic Board, hand out diplomas and congratulate each cadet during grad- uation exercises. Ted Strong happily shakes hands and receives congratulations.