The Sylvanus Thayer Award
Selection Process | List of Recipients
Since 1958, the West Point Association of Graduates has presented the SYLVANUS THAYER AWARD to an outstanding citizen of the United States whose service and accomplishments in the national interest exemplify personal devotion to the ideals expressed in the West Point motto, “DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY.”
Thayer Award Criteria
The Award is to be given to a citizen of the United States, other than a West Point graduate, whose outstanding character, accomplishments, and stature in the civilian community draw wholesome comparison to the qualities for which West Point strives, in keeping with its motto: “Duty, Honor, Country.” The 
individual selected for the Thayer Award must agree to accept the Award at West Point.
For the Thayer Award, the following guidelines apply with respect to nominations:
• Classes, societies, and individual Regular Members of the Association may submit nominations for the Thayer Award.
• The number of new annual nominations that classes, societies, and individuals may submit is unlimited.
In recent years, the materials that have been placed before the Thayer Award Committee have become so voluminous and disparate that it became extremely difficult for the members to either read it all or make valid comparisons among candidates. Therefore, a nomination must adhere to the following format, or it will be returned to the nominator for revision and resubmission.
• It shall take the form of a letter to the Chairman of the Thayer Award Committee. After identifying the nominee, the letter shall continue with a narrative of the nominee’s life and accomplishments that makes clear to the reader the way in which these “draw wholesome comparison to the qualities for which West Point strives, in keeping with its motto – Duty, Honor, Country.”
• The nominating letter shall be no longer than three pages of single-spaced typescript.
• Any endorsements of the nomination that either accompany it or that arrive separately shall be confined to a single page.
The deadline for nominations to arrive at the Alumni Center is 7 November and will be considered active for three years. Letters should be addressed as follows:
Chairman
Thayer Award Committee
c/o Linda Giacoio
West Point Association of Graduates
698 Mills Road
West Point, New York 10996
Selection Process
1. JULY, year prior to award: WPAOG Thayer Award Selection Committee, a committee of distinguished and representative graduates, is appointed by the Chairman of the WPAOG and approved by the Board of Trustees.
2. AUGUST, year prior to award: WPAOG solicits all West Point Societies, Classes and individuals for nominations. All nominations must be supported by accompanying rationale. Suspense: Mid-November, year prior to award.
3. JANUARY or FEBRUARY, year of award: WPAOG Thayer Award Committee meets to consider all nominations. Committee selects one nominee to be presented to the WPAOG Board of Trustees for ratification.
4. Late FEBRUARY, year of award: WPAOG Board of Trustees meets. Thayer Award nomination is presented for approval.
5. MARCH, year of award: Nominee is approached and notified of the award. Awardee must agree to receive award at West Point.
6. SEPTEMBER or OCTOBER, year of award: Awardee is honored at West Point with a review and award presentation banquet. Awardee addresses Corps of Cadets.