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May 28, 2010
To the Editor:
NYMA has always looked to it's alumni for financial support, some alumni more than others. Donald Trump was one of the alumni that was looked upon more favorably because of his known wealth and business experience. However, the needs of the academy outweigh the needs of an alumni, no matter the cost.
In a meeting last week, Trump said that he would consider buying NYMA and turn it into a world-class non-military school, but New York Military Academy calls to us, the mother that birthed the men and women that we have become wants to remain untouched. She wants to stand as she has stood for 121 years as a "Military Academy" and builder of future world leaders. Not as a "world class non-military academy or glass-walled condo community bearing someone's name. We, as alumni, recognize Donald's genius at what he does but we do not share his vision for a world without NYMA.
To that end, the NYMA 2.0 team has been working diligently behind the scenes with the current NYMA Board of Trustees to secure a future for NYMA. The men and women who head the NYMA 2.0 team are all leaders in their day-to-day professional lives, who are now working two full time jobs (their own profession and NYMA 2.0) which leaves them little, if no time to pursue personal freedoms and family life. This sacrifice is done without pay, without benefits, without notoriety... this sacrifice is done out of love for New York Military Academy.
NYMA 2.0 plans to rebuild, re-brand and re-energize NYMA . But the damage was done before 2.0 came to life. Too many years of lower than anticipated enrollment, a non-existent development office and a recurring operating deficit have left the school in a tough spot. The one bright spot in this sea of darkness was recruitment. NYMA was on target to have their best recruiting year ever with a planned student body of 200 cadets, 100 of which would have been "NEW" cadets. However, the current Board of Trustees thought it best to suspend operations, analyze their financial situation and formulate a new plan.
As has always been the case, when NYMA is in need the alumni respond. This time they responded with more than money, they responded with a plan. The NYMA 2.0 Plan.
The NYMA 2.0 Plan is a fluid plan. It is a vision of what can be in the future; a picture of excellence, of tradition. It is also a work in progress using the budget restrictions and operating expenses of today to reach the goals of tomorrow. It incorporates the NYMA of traditional values -- honesty,character and integrity -- with the academic excellence necessary in today's volatile world. The NYMA 2.0 Plan is designed to allow New York Military Academy to continue to build tomorrow's leaders today.
We -- the alumni, the 2.0 team, the parents -- all are working together to ensure the future of New York Military Academy. We wish to thank Cornwall for its support and ask that our neighbors and friends in Cornwall would continue to stand with us in our fight to keep New York Military Academy alive.
Joseph Branch
NYMA Alumnus
Member of NYMA 2.0 Team
Comments:
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Unless Donald Trump purchases the NYMA property and changes his mind on the type of school he'd have there, I would suggest residents of Cornwall and Cornwal-on-Hudson, NOT support this purchase, unless you delight in seeing Joe Amato's Cornwall Commons Phase Two on the old NYMA property. Surprising for a NYMA grad of 1964 who wrote in his first book for two pages about his great times and benefits, and his tacticle officer there, Maj. Dobias, that he would even consider a non-military institution. Amazing how the developers come in like vultures near the so-called end of the Academy...Fairleigh Dickinson wrote in the deed transfer of the NYMA farm land west of Route 9W (check the Orange County records) that the land for be "forever NYMA's" as long as it exists as a school, however Joe Amato for the Cornwall Commons ends up with the acreage for his Commons (yet the school is still there). Now the battle of developers, infront of and behind the scenes is on! We do not support Trump purchasing NYMA if he changes the style of the school that existed and Cornwall was build up around since 1989.
Eric Shore, Class of 1972
Jay Shore, Class of 1975
posted by Eric Shore on 06/01/10 at 11:17 AM
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Correction: "the style of the school that existed and Cornwall was built up around it, since 1889!
posted by Eric Shore on 06/01/10 at 11:20 AM
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Do not support Trump if MYMA is turned into townhouses or a non-military school...of course, there is room (as there has always been) for Day Students that are not military and do not enter into the military functions of the institution! It has always been that way for the children of staff and students from the Cornwall area for decades. A combination is fine, as always, but not taking away the heritage of the Military aspect of the private school.
Jay Shore, Troop Captain, Class of 1975
posted by Jay Shore on 06/01/10 at 11:23 AM
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The proposal by Trump to purchase and bring about a quality non-military school is a pragmatic one. I support a co-ed non-military institution that offered Jr ROTC if that saves the school or perhaps a mixed arrangement similar to Texas A&M. Needless to say that endowment creation to maintain a military school may be close to impossible. Military insitutions that remain with us are here only because they have an endowment, otherwise, they too would have failed. Time passes and so does alumni support. We must consider all options. Perhaps a mixed boarding school similar to some colleges like Texas A & M. Whatever the outcome, the school cannot re-open without a sizeable gain in enrollment, a capital base sufficent to run it and a re-scheduling of the debt.
Ronald R. Rose
Class of 1966
posted by Ronald Rose on 06/01/10 at 8:16 PM
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Lines blur easily. In response to Mr. Shore's comment, it apparently needs to be clarified that NYMA is located in the Town of Cornwall, and not in the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson and, therefore, any local government interaction in NYMA's future will be lead by the Town, and not the Village, although the village certainly has a strong vested interest in the outcome.
posted by Rick Gioia on 06/02/10 at 10:14 PM
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At least Trump did'nt suggest a golf course!
posted by j h on 06/04/10 at 1:19 PM
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Its nice to think NYMA can survive as a military academy, but if that was the case, this conversation wouldn't be going on. Either parents in Cornwall consider sending their kids there, or its time to recognize the future for what it is. These days, there is little appeal for the military academies of yesterday. Clearly, Trump may know something, and see that a non-academy future is more viable.
posted by Jay Abrams on 06/04/10 at 8:49 PM
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