Ghostly Encounters? Exploring the Unexplained

The following article was written by Santiago Lopez-Arano ’27.

A recent trip to the Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City prompted me to inquire about ghosts and the unusual. We learned about the prison’s history and its haunting past.

We explored the building that once housed female prisoners, where stories of apparitions—including a headless woman in a wedding dress—were shared with us. The guide also showed photos taken in that area that allegedly captured these apparitions.

We then visited Housing Unit Number 4. After a safety briefing, we were instructed to explore the cells in complete darkness and attempt communication with any entities present. There was no activity in this building.

The guide warned us about the scariest part of the prison—the basement torture chamber where Confederate soldiers were brutally tormented. Accounts of horrific punishments and the despair that gripped inmates were shared, including the tragic story of a man who spent 17 years in complete darkness.

As the group entered the cell block, the guide instructed each cadet to enter a cell and wait while she turned off the lights. We were told to remain completely silent. She placed LED sensor lights on the floor that would sparkle with any movement, indicating that a cadet was not alone in the cell.

MMA cadets explore and learn the history of the Missouri State Penitentiary during a field trip in 2022.

When the exercise began, the guide invited spirits to touch the lights and make themselves known. The chamber felt dense, and for some reason it became difficult to breathe. Then, the lights began to sparkle. The silence and darkness heightened our awareness, and we sensed that we weren’t alone.

I felt both creeped out and insecure, yet at the same time amazed by the experience. I had never been a believer in paranormal activity, but as we wandered through different parts of the prison, I began to feel that something beyond my understanding was happening.

The historic Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City, Missouri.

That moment led me to wonder whether something similar could be occurring at MMA. When I returned to campus with my fellow cadets, I began asking around to find out who I could speak with regarding reports of unusual activity at MMA.

Bernard Strunk, the MMA director of maintenance, confirmed that there had indeed been reports of paranormal activity. He willingly shared his own experiences and stories he had heard during his 30 years of working at MMA.

When asked, “What experience do you particularly believe in the most, and which has the most evidence?” Mr. Strunk responded with a story.

“It was 1996, my first year at MMA. Charlie Company had just been built, and Alpha Barracks still stood. I recall feeling uneasy whenever I was in the lower part of Alpha Barracks—now part of the mess hall and the Atrium of Bernard Hall. I used to walk down that hallway at night, and each time I passed through, I felt as if someone were watching me.”

Mr. Strunk continued, “Later on, I began hearing from cadets that they would hear someone mopping and whistling at 3:00 a.m., despite there being no record of anyone cleaning at that hour. Over time, reports from both faculty and cadets hearing whistling during those late hours became common.”

Mr. Strunk later learned more about this whistling from a now-deceased colleague.

“He explained to me that it was believed the sounds came from a janitor who had worked at MMA for many years. After he passed away, many believed he returned to the place where he had dedicated his life.”

Mr. Strunk also recounted a particularly strange incident he referred to as “the floating orb.” In 2005, while serving as the assistant commandant of the Junior School, the campus had just installed new security cameras that recorded with great clarity. While reviewing live footage with a co-worker, they observed a sphere—or orb—floating and emerging from Room 116 in Bravo. He described the experience as bizarre and said it left him uneasy for several days.

One night during a routine check on the first floor of Bravo, a co-worker called his name over the radio. When Mr. Strunk responded, the co-worker said, “Hey, Bernard, the orb is following you.”

Mr. Strunk recalled feeling as though he had narrowly escaped a troubling situation. He tried to forget about it so he could get some rest that night.

He also shared other anecdotes, including tales of ghosts moving from the Cadet Clinic to Bravo, a nurse encountering spirits, strange radio interference, sightings of General Cates riding a horse through Stribling Hall, and a mysteriously dancing rope in the Fieldhouse.

Mr. Strunk concluded by explaining why certain entities—or “energies”—may remain on campus.

“When something is such a significant part of your daily life, like MMA, it becomes where you focus your energy. Ultimately, it’s the place that gives your life purpose. I believe that’s where your soul becomes attached. That’s why I don’t find it strange that individuals who worked here in the past often return.”

Mr. Strunk added that he definitely intends to haunt MMA in the future.

MMA holds deep significance for many people. Feelings toward certain places can persist long after time has passed, resulting in unexplained anomalies. Events can repeat themselves or leave lasting impressions, even when forgotten. Experiences that seem impossible or lack explanation can provoke fear or unease, yet these stories are part of MMA’s legacy and history.

Forgetting these events—or “tales”—can mean forgetting a part of our identity as MMA cadets. A sense of curiosity about what lies beyond is a fundamental aspect of being an MMA cadet and, more importantly, a vital part of being young. 

This article was written for the Journalism and Media Production class, fall 2025, taught by George Davison ’68. Cadet Lopez Arano is a junior from Cuajimalpa, Mexico.