LEXINGTON, Va. April 11, 2025 — Rev. Jessica Fulton Lee ’06, the first female graduate from Virginia Military Institute to enter the clergy, was guest speaker at the chaplain’s spring retreat for cadets held recently at Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center near Lynchburg.

Lee, who was an accomplished ROTC cadet in high school, won a merit scholarship to come to VMI. She was a biology major, and planned to commission and make a career as a biologist in the Air Force. But those plans drastically changed at the end of her 2^nd Class year.

"Even though the Corps and VMI meant the world to me, I was not a good cadet, and I was having a rough year. I had had two failed relationships, and since I was on conduct probation, I was in danger of not getting a rat the following year. It was at the point where all my plans were in shambles. So, one evening I went to the chaplain’s office to talk to Chaplain James Park, who was Institute chaplain at the time. The office door was unlocked, so I went in, but he was not there. I looked around and saw beautiful paintings of Jesus and immediately was convicted that I had not been living the life I knew God wanted me to live. I picked up a brochure that caught my eye titled, ‘How to Know if You’re a Christian’ and started reading. It was about a man who visited a chaplain on a college campus to talk about faith. In that moment I heard a voice — not an audible one — but a voice clearly from outside myself that said, ‘You’re to be minister.’ I was stunned. I had the resumé of a research biologist, and I didn’t think much of pastors. I thought I was too smart and talented to ever be a pastor. But in that moment, I was happy God was talking to me, and I gave my life to Christ. That day I started down the path that would eventually lead to my ordination. Before I left his office, I left a note for Chaplain Park that said something to the effect of, ‘Hey, I was in your office looking for you — met with God — called to be a pastor — I’ll see you in the morning,’” she laughed. 

Lee felt blessed and honored to be invited to speak at the retreat. The message she brought to cadets was the story of Joseph from the Biblical book of Genesis. “I’m a narrative preacher, and I like stories. The story of Joseph is one of the longest, single continuous narratives in the Old Testament. Joseph was a young man for a lot of that story, and he dealt with a lot of the same issues cadets may be dealing with. Nobody comes to VMI from perfect homes. They all come bearing baggage and burdens, and a lot of times, unfortunately, there is compounded trauma because of challenges and rejection experienced on post. That strikes a harmony with the Joseph narrative and the importance of reconciliation. No matter how difficult life gets, you need to heal, forgive, and move forward.”

Lee experienced first-hand difficulties at VMI as a cadet. She faced rejection and injustice. “My rat year had been difficult. I stopped moving toward the Corps relationally, because I had experienced rejection. I didn’t bond with my brother rats, and it left me feeling inadequate as a cadet. Not all my experiences here were bad, and I did have friends here, and I did do well. But I don’t think my story is unique, many people experienced similar things. And just like Joseph said to his brothers, ‘What you meant for evil, God used for good,’ I can look at my story and say the same. God used that incredible hardship to bring me to him. He has healed me and allowed me to forgive. I love the Corps, and my brother rats.”

Col. John P. Casper ’04, Institute chaplain, shared that Lee challenged and encouraged the cadets in their faith during the retreat. 

“She was thoughtful, well prepared, and naturally connected with the cadets. That is the reason I invited Jessica. We knew each other as cadets, so I remember the adversity she had to overcome and the power of her story of being called to ministry. As the first and only female ordained minister, she was able to connect with cadets in a unique way. She is remarkable! Our office is thankful for Jessica and her husband, Evan, in taking time to minister to our cadets. It was a life-changing weekend!”  

Parker Belle Fogle ’28, a cadet who attended the retreat, said, “The spring retreat was amazing! It was a great place to connect with fellow cadets and expand your love of God.”

Lee received a Master of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. She is a priest in the Anglican Church of North America’s Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic and is currently serving as an associate Rector at Beach Church, Virginia Beach. She is currently working on a doctorate in theology and ministry in romantic theology at Northwind Theological Seminary, where she studies the works of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, among others. She is married to Evan Lee. They have one adult daughter, two dogs, and a cat.

Marianne Hause
Communications & Marketing
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE