The Lichtenbergs Champion West Point’s Pre-Med Program
For more than half a century, the name Lichtenberg has been synonymous with loyalty, generosity, and impact at West Point. Herb “Kelly” Lichtenberg, Class of 1955, left his mark on the Academy not only through his legendary football tailgates but also through his leadership in philanthropy. From the Jewish Chapel to the Lichtenberg Tennis Center, from coaches’ housing to the Gross Sports Center, Herb had a singular ability to rally others and make things happen for the Academy and the Corps.
He established a lasting culture of philanthropy for his family. That spirit continues today through his wife, Trudy, and sons, Scott and Michael, who have carried their father’s legacy forward—supporting athletics, modernizing Michie Stadium, and strengthening the Corps Squad experience. Scott, a member of the West Point Ready Campaign cabinet, supports the Hudson Valley Program’s CONNECT, and even donated a show horse to the Army Equestrian Team a few years back.
Now, the Lichtenbergs have joined with WPAOG to help meet one of the Academy’s most pressing new needs: training future Army physicians. The Army faces a critical shortage of physicians. For over a decade, the Army has fallen short of its physician recruiting mission, and projections show Medical Corps fill rates may drop below 80 percent by 2026. The shortfall poses a significant risk for meeting the medical demands of large-scale operations.
Housed in the newly reorganized Department of Chemical and Biological Science and Engineering (CBSE), the Pre-Medical Scholars Program comprises over 200 cadets interested in healthcare careers. The program’s scope is extensive, encompassing the annual West Point Medicine and Life Science Forum, physician shadowing, clinical outreach and research, pre-medical conferences, and medical Academic Individual Advanced Development (AIAD) opportunities. It also offers support and mentorship for Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) preparation. Together, these experiences provide future Army doctors with the academic foundation, mentorship, and research skills essential for success in a field where excellence is critical, not only for their own futures but for the soldiers they will one day serve.
Meeting this challenge requires resources beyond the reach of West Point’s annual funding. For the Lichtenbergs, supporting the Pre-Medical Scholars Program continues the family legacy, whose central focus has been about the cadets, from feeding them at tailgates to providing facilities that enhance their physical and leader development. Going forward, they are turning a new page by enhancing the capabilities of the Academy and by extension, the Army as a whole.
Photo: Mike White ’82, Scott Lichtenberg, and Michael Lichtenberg celebrate Army’s victory over Charlotte during the October 11th tailgate.
