From rforno at infowarrior.org Fri Jun 19 14:33:44 2009 From: rforno at infowarrior.org (Richard Forno) Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 10:33:44 -0400 Subject: [sticklist] - Update: Old Guard Response to VF Lawsuit Message-ID: <0C030BCC-012C-4CF4-A92F-D8B0E9A340C2@infowarrior.org> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 All, I received the following letter this morning from the Old Guard in response to the recent lawsuit filed against them by the school. Official statements/rebuttals from the school are welcomed and will be reproduced here as well. As a reminder the Sticklist takes no side on these issues and leaves it to you, the individual reader, to make your own judgments about "things VF" these days. Cheers, - - -Rick '90 '92C < -- > 19 June 2009 Dear Alumni and Friends, I am writing to you to explain some late developments. You may be aware that the Valley Forge Military Academy Foundation and the Valley Forge Military Academy Alumni Association filed suit against the Old Guard's officers in Federal court on 22 May 2009 for trademark infringement (Case Nr. 2:2009cv02373). We believe this lawsuit is about silencing a critic and not trademark infringement. The Old Guard was founded in October 2007 and the school saw our Application for 501(c)3 status at that time, was fully aware of our name, and never raised an objection to our use of the name VALLEY FORGE OLD GUARD - until now. The Founders' Old Guard is an independently organized group of alumni of the Valley Forge Military Academy and College (VFMAC), along with parents, former parents, former faculty, and former members of the VFMAC Board of Trustees who are dedicated to preserving and enhancing the nature, core values, and traditions upon which our Alma Mater was founded. Members of The Founders' Old Guard seek to actively and independently advocate for the Academy's welfare, viability, and future. As you may recall, in a Philadelphia Inquirer article on 23 April, a school spokesman stated the school was going to sue us, after which we received several letters from their attorney alleging trademark infringement. We answered every letter and made a good-faith effort to address every concern and reach a satisfactory solution with the school. Our intention has never been to infringe on the school's trademarks or cause any confusion on the part of the public that we were a part of VFMA&C. And in fact, we do not believe we have violated any of the school's rights. In keeping with our mission and notwithstanding our disagreement with the basis of their claims, the Old Guard immediately acted to address their complaints. With the intent of avoiding costly litigation for both organizations, which would drain both organizations' precious resources and distract the parties from the more critical issues facing the VFMAC, we took the following actions: - - First, through an emergency Executive Session via teleconference of the Old Guard's Board of Directors, we discussed and agreed in principle to change our name to FOUNDERS' OLD GUARD. The school then objected to this name too, claiming the word FOUNDERS was already in use on their website. - - Second, we changed all references to Valley Forge Old Guard on our website. - - Third, our homepage contains a prominent disclaimer stating that we are not part of or associated with VFMA&C or the alumni association. - - Fourth, we removed the various photos of the school from the homepage because the school objected to our use of photographs of the buildings and cadets, claiming they are trademarked. Even though we believe their objection had no merit, we wanted to avoid a dispute over this issue so that we could concentrate on our mission to improve the direction of the school. The next communication from the school was the lawsuit. The cost of this meritless litigation will only add to the $1.3 million that has already been spent on legal fees during the McGeorge administration. We regret that VFMAC continues to fight rather than embrace the need to reform its leadership and governance. As a result, we have no choice but to continue to defend ourself in Federal court and yesterday filed a motion to dismiss the VFMAC lawsuit. We will also continue to post on our website updated VFMAC facts and publicly available information about the status of VFMAC's affairs. We invite you to see for yourself the growth in expenses reported over the last five years, the decline in contributions during that period and the increase in the per capita cost of each student. Pete Robinson, '59 D Troop Colonel, U.S. Army Retired President Founders' Old Guard Inc. www.foundersoldguard.org email: info at foundersoldguard.org The Founders' Old Guard, Inc. is an independent organization. It is NOT affiliated with sponsored by, or related to The Valley Forge Military Academy and College or its Alumni Association. -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: 9.8.3.4028 Comment: Rick's Current Public Key @ http://infowarrior.org/pgpkey.txt wj8DBQFKO6HKKWZyO29ebPYRAjvfAKC8/Jfncmwp+Zg0Szu/ARAxo+J+BQCg4qZ3 AVls/2bJLBIdWjorClXV3MA= =Qp3K -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- From rforno at infowarrior.org Fri Jun 26 18:19:05 2009 From: rforno at infowarrior.org (Richard Forno) Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:19:05 -0400 Subject: [sticklist] - Supt. COL Doyle retires from VFMAC Message-ID: <6856255F-E4EB-41E7-8689-A066B3C817A9@infowarrior.org> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Superintendent, Col James J. Doyle, USMC (Ret.) retires from VFMA&C http://vfmac.edu/news_20090615b.html After six years of outstanding service to both Valley Forge and its cadets and over thirty years in the United States Marine Corps, Col Doyle has announced his retirement as Superintendent. Col Doyle plans to retire after opening day on September 1, 2009, but he will remain in place for a short time while his replacement is identified. Col Doyle and his wonderful wife Elaine have played an integral part in the life and success of Valley Forge. Col Doyle has successfully served the institution in many roles: Dean of the Academy, Interim Dean of the College and Superintendent. Col Doyle has been awarded the OAW, President???s Gold Star Award and the Battered Bugle Award for service beyond the call of duty to VF. Retiring from the Marine Corps in 1996, Colonel Doyle served in management positions in the manufacturing and service industries before assuming his duties as Dean of Valley Forge Military Academy in July 2003. He has been the Superintendent of Valley Forge Military Academy & College since July 2005. He holds a Bachelors Degree in History, and two Masters Degrees: Management, and Strategic Studies and Defense Decision Making. Col Doyle???s awards and decorations are: 3 Legions of Merit, 2 Bronze Star Medals, 2 Defense Meritorious Service Medals, Meritorious Service Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, 4 Navy Unit Commendations, Meritorious Unit Commendation, 2 National Defense Service Medals, Vietnam Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Vietnam Honor Medal, 1st Class, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, and Kuwait Liberation Medal. I know you will all join us in wishing Jim and Elaine the very best in their future. We will miss them greatly. Posted 06/23/2009 -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: 9.8.3.4028 Comment: Rick's Current Public Key @ http://infowarrior.org/pgpkey.txt wj8DBQFKRREcKWZyO29ebPYRAsFJAJ9vhhW/RXNdmgZYmlrJJUIO7iOvegCfavfm mnCSRhRD+mIIMHxNqLNH7iM= =lJ0A -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- From rforno at infowarrior.org Fri Jun 26 18:19:41 2009 From: rforno at infowarrior.org (Richard Forno) Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:19:41 -0400 Subject: [sticklist] - Academy "Headmaster" Named Message-ID: -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 http://vfmac.edu/news_20090615.html Academy Headmaster, COL John Ford, BS, M.Ed. Effective immediately, Major John Ford is promoted to Headmaster of the Academy and Colonel, VFMA&C. VF will return to the title of Headmaster of the Academy as was established in 1929. The title of Headmaster is also consistent with independent school organizational practices. COL Ford is both a math teacher and statistician, and has successfully led the integration of the Buff and Blue program in the Academy. This program has transformed the learning experience for our Cadets in grades seven through ten and resulted in increased academic performance, higher rate of parent and cadet satisfaction, and a substantially higher rate of reenrollment. COL Ford graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in operations research. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the branch of Field Artillery. His first duty assignment was with the 24th Infantry Division from Fort Stewart, Georgia. During this time, he served in Operations Desert Shield and Storm. His military decorations include the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart. COL Ford served eight years in the field of service and operations management before joining the Valley Forge staff in 2002. He holds a master???s degree in math education from Widener University and is a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. While at the Forge, he has taught in both the Academy and the College. He has also served as the Deputy Director of Admissions. He currently teaches in the ninth grade and is head of the Buff & Blue Program. MAJ Ford was inducted into the Order of Anthony Wayne in 2008. He lives in Prospect Park with his wife, Karen and son, Timothy. BS ??? United States Military Academy M.Ed. ??? Widener University Posted 06/23/2009 -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: 9.8.3.4028 Comment: Rick's Current Public Key @ http://infowarrior.org/pgpkey.txt wj8DBQFKRRFAKWZyO29ebPYRAjZpAKDXs5I1QdpoOpNjpDJHwGzjA2Z3ZgCdE+gc C3MKoxbEiEoBynxiNrYx+qY= =lsx8 -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- From rforno at infowarrior.org Fri Jun 26 18:20:13 2009 From: rforno at infowarrior.org (Richard Forno) Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:20:13 -0400 Subject: [sticklist] - Kathleen Anderson Named College Dean Message-ID: <2B110152-7C5B-478B-9BFB-E27F93B874F9@infowarrior.org> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 http://vfmac.edu/news_20090615c.html Vice President of Academic Affairs/ VFMC Dean, Kathleen M. Anderson, Ed.D. This past year Dr. Anderson has done yeoman???s service as Interim Dean of the Academy and VPAA. She took this leadership opportunity to expand the very successful Buff and Blue program from the seventh to through the tenth grade while simultaneously doing a great deal of faculty development. Effective June 1, Dr. Anderson returned to her original VF assignment as Dean of the College and VPAA. The return of Dr. Anderson to the position of Dean of the College is being made to facilitate our successful Middle States Accreditation efforts. This personnel decision is reflective of our commitment to academic excellence. Dr. Anderson has an outstanding background as an award winning educator, teacher and administrator at both the college and high school levels. Dr. Anderson???s employment highlights include Executive Assistant to the President and VP for Student Affairs at the Community College of Philadelphia, and VP for Enrollment Management and Dean of the School of Continuing Studies at Chestnut Hill College. She also held teaching assignments in both management and communications at Penn State University and Chestnut Hill College. At the Academy level, she was a senior administrator at Agnes Irwin School and taught history at The Rosemont School of the Holy Child, The International School in London and Cheltenham Township Schools. Dr. Anderson is both a certified Principal and School Superintendent. Dr. Anderson is an acknowledged leader in her profession having been selected and honored as Educator of the Year by ACHE Region IV. Dr. Anderson holds the following degrees: BA ??? Chestnut Hill College MA ??? Villanova University, History MA ??? Villanova University, Educational Administration Ed.D. ??? Widener University Certificate ??? Harvard University School of Education Posted 06/15/2009 -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: 9.8.3.4028 Comment: Rick's Current Public Key @ http://infowarrior.org/pgpkey.txt wj8DBQFKRRFfKWZyO29ebPYRAnh7AKDiUdL6ZeausBV24VmxBdIZB2Av8ACcCqlk eR9DCOJcNZbkWFs6EAyr7HA= =GokA -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----