The West Point Association of Graduates (WPAOG) earned two 2022 Circle of Excellence Awards from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). WPAOG won a Gold Award for the 2021 West Point Entrepreneur Summit: A Long Gray Line Investment in the Special Events Category (In-person multi-day events) and a Silver Award for the 2021 Ring Melt (Class of 2022) in the Video Category (Promotional – short). Read more.

An experienced leader of soldiers and a tough-as-nails trailblazer, MG (R) Marion Garcia ’87 has earned induction into the Military Police Regimental Association Hall of Fame. “As a woman commissioning in 1987, the Military Police Corps, which at the time was focused on combat support, was the closest thing to combat arms that I could get,” said Garcia. “I wanted to be where the action was, so I asked for Military Police and was fortunate enough to get it.” As a 2LT in Korea, Garcia earned recognition as the top platoon leader within her battalion. Read more.

The Honorable Allen Clark, youngest member of the Class of 1963 has befriended three members of the class of ’93, Reyno Arredondo, Jamie Malakoff, and Marshall Miles. They are all members of the Military Order of the World Wars. All three with their spouses attended a birthday lunch on Allen Clark’s birthday. Reyno Arredondo gifted him with a special poem he wrote, surrounded by photos of the four of them through the past few years.

Lieutenant General Darryl A. Williams ’83 has been selected for appointment to the rank of general and assignment as Commanding General, United States Army Europe-Africa/ Commander, Allied Land Command, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Germany. He is currently serving as 60th Superintendent, United States Military Academy, West Point, New York.

Remember to get Board of Directors or Advisory Council applications in by July 1! In 2022, the WPAOG Nominating Committee will nominate graduates for five Director positions and six Advisor-at-Large positions. The deadline for graduates to submit their completed applications is July 1. The 2022 election process will conclude on November 15 at 5pm EST, at the Annual Meeting of the Association of Graduates at Herbert Alumni Center. To apply for a nomination, please see these instructions.

The following classes have added updates this week to their Class Notes pages. 1959 | 1961 | 1966 | 1968 | 1981 | 1983 | 1996 | 2009. Class Notes

MAJ Edwin C. den Harder ’09 received the “General George C. Marshall Award” for Command and General Staff College (CGSOC) Class 2021-2022. He also earned distinguished graduate and the top GPA in the class. This award recognizes scholarship, pays homage to one of America’s most honored Soldiers, and serves as a lasting incentive to the officers attending resident CGSOC.

In honor of the Class of 1961, a $10 million gift has been anonymously awarded to the Michie Stadium Preservation Project to continue the substantial momentum of the most ambitious gift-funded construction project in the history of the Academy. The Class of 1961 has contributed $15 million since August 2021. Read more.

The newest podcast, Never Apologize for Having High Standards, is out! This episode features an interview with BG (R) Rebecca S. Halstead ’81, Founder and CEO of STEADFAST Leadership, a leading consultancy company she founded after serving for 27 years in the Army. Halstead specializes in inspirational and motivational speaking, developing leader training programs, leader coaching and mentoring and was awarded the Distinguished Graduate Award in 2022 for her exceptional service.  Listen now.

The Construction Management Association of America awarded the Anderson Athletic Center the 2021 Project of the Year. The Anderson Athletic Center is a repurposed 150-year-old three-story building that was completely gutted, structurally stabilized, and reconfigured to provide a state-of-the-art athletic training facility for cadets housing Army West Point Volleyball, Softball, and Sprint Football. The 21,000-square-foot athletic facility was made possible by the generosity of lead donors Lee Anderson '61 and his wife, Penny. Read more.

The stunning red-rock scenery and mild Springtime temps drew 18 Delta Quad Proud & Free ’73 classmates and wives to Sedona, Arizona for a terrific weekend. Meticulously planned by Dave Marks and Charlie Dokmo the event featured several venues to catch up: a rugged “Pink Jeep” tour through the outback country, regional sightseeing experiences, vigorous hikes, relaxing conversations by the pool, and a brief gathering to remember their three D4 brothers who are no longer with us. The year-long COVID delay seemed to make this mini-reunion even more special. Plans are in motion for future events.

The following classes have added updates this week to their Class Notes pages. 1953 | 1971 | 2001 | 2011 | 2022. Class Notes

Listen to this week's Podcast as Dr. Scott Parsons, Character Education Integrator for the Military Program at USMA, and LTC Tom Dull, Executive Officer at the Simon Center for the Professional Military Ethic discuss the importance of character education for young leaders at the Academy. Listen now.

A.J. Hensel ’01 has been appointed to the Board of Directors as the new Partner-in-Charge of the Columbus, OH Office of Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP. Hensel has been with the firm since 2014 and a partner since 2018. He serves as Chair of the Summer Associate Recruiting Committee, an important program that fuels the firm's future through the selection of exceptional law school students and is recognized by peer-rated law directories.

The indoor pool at Harney Gymnasium on Fort Leavenworth was named in honor of 1LT David R. Bernstein ’01, who was killed in action on October 18, 2003 while serving in Taza, Iraq. LTG Theodore Martin ’83, CAC CG, hosted the event. Michelle Lee (sister) and Doug Bernstein were guests of honor. Bernstein was a competitive swimmer, lettering in the sport all four years at the Academy. After graduating in 2001, he was commissioned as an infantry officer. At the time of his death he was the Executive Officer of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment. View highlight video from the dedication ceremony.

June 14, 1775, America’s Army was founded when our nation’s leaders established the Continental Army. Today, the Army is the strategic land power of the joint force, at its core, selfless soldiers. Never wavering. Never faltering. 247 years of defending our great Nation. Happy Birthday, United States Army!!

2LT Brendan Nichtern ’22 has been invited to the USA Lacrosse headquarters to try out for the US men’s national team for the 2023 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship. Nichtern will be one of 67 players for the opening round of the tryout process from June 14-16. Following the tryout, an initial training roster of approximately 46 players will be named to participate in the upcoming team activities this fall. Read more.

Join us in the 4th Annual Army-Navy Tailgate Spirit Button Design Contest! One winner will receive two free tickets to attend the GO ARMY! BEAT NAVY! Tailgate and the winner’s button will be handed out to 1,500 attendees. Learn more on how to submit an entry.

2LT Jamir Gibson ’22 capped his record-setting career with an 18th place finish in the men’s discus at the 2022 NCAA Championships. Gibson’s final throw was his best, landing 55.14 meters. The distance was good enough for 18th. Gibson earned All-American Honorable Mention honors, two spots away from garnering second team accolades. Gibson rewrote the record book during his career. He holds the program and service academy records in three events, including the discus, is a five-time Patriot League champion, and appears on the program’s top-10 list four times in four events. Read more.

On June 2, local students participated in the latest CONNECT after school event. A partnership between WPAOG and Highland Falls Intermediate School (HFIS), CONNECT hosted a program on Native American Culture and lacrosse mixing history, athletics, and fun. This was the final in a series of CONNECT events this year that were characterized by fitness, nutrition, sports, robotics, drones, dance, culture, and community engagement. CONNECT is a component of the WPAOG Hudson Valley Project (HVP). Learn more.

2LT Emily Mikoud ’22, arguably the best female thrower in program and service academy history, wrapped up her career at the NCAA Championships competing in the hammer throw. Mikoud qualified for the event after setting the program and service academy records in the hammer at the NCAA East Regionals becoming the first Black Knight to compete in the NCAA Women’s Outdoor Championships since 1998. Mikoud scored on two of her three attempts and will be an All-American Honorable Mention. Read more.

The following classes have added updates this week to their Class Notes pages. 1959 | 1965 | 1966 | 1986 | 1991 | 1996 | 1997 | 2022. Class Notes

On This Day June 9, 1785, we celebrate the birthday of COL Sylvanus Thayer USMA 1808. Also known as “the Father of the Military Academy,” COL Thayer was an early advocate of engineering education in the United States. He graduated from West Point in 1808 and served a 16-year tenure as the fifth superintendent of the Military Academy from 1817 to 1833. Under Thayer’s stewardship, the academy became the nation’s first college of engineering. His monument stands near Washington and Jefferson roads, just up the steps from the Beat Navy tunnel on the northwest corner of The Plain. Read more about Thayer’s legacy in the Summer 2017 issue of West Point Magazine.

2LT Justin Young ’22, Army West Point Track & Field Team, has earned Second Team All-American track and field accolades after placing 16th in the 400m hurdles at the 2022 NCAA Championships. Young, who was the first Black Knight to compete in the event at the NCAA Championships in 70 years, ran the 400m hurdles in 50.94. He placed seventh in his heat and 16th overall to garner Second Team All-American recognition. Read more.

Army-Navy hotel rooms are now open! Learn more. Tailgate registration will open this fall. Looking to be an official sponsor? Get your brand in front of thousands of Army Football fans with the chance to enjoy the “Suite Life” at Lincoln Financial Field during the big game! For details on how to customize a partnership for your company, click here.

Did you watch the Army-Navy game in Pasadena, CA in 1983? In this podcast episode, we sit down with Rolfe Arnhym ’53, Vistage Chair, the world’s largest and most comprehensive executive coaching organization for small and midsize businesses. Arnhym talks about his role, and hurdles, in moving the Army-Navy game to Pasadena back in 1983. He currently develops CEOs and executives to add to their professional skill sets. Arnhym’s distinguished 21-year military career includes two combat tours in Vietnam and command of an Infantry Brigade in the Army Reserve. Listen now: Accomplishing What Others Said Couldn't Be Done.

Readers often expect sonnets be written in the style of William Shakespeare. Don Moore, Jr. ’66, a devotee of the English poet, chose to write his own poems in that classic manner. With free-wheeling thoughts adhering to the iambic pentameter patterns of the 14 line sonnet, Moore explores many subjects beyond Shakespeare’s English Renaissance realm. His interest in Asian legends, American music and life, astronomy, and mythology is penned in admiration of Shakespeare’s craft. Moore’s love poems echo the Bard of Avon’s romantic sonnets. However, his compositions in rich verse are created for the contemporary reader.

Dan Rice ’88, President of Thayer Leadership at West Point, was recently named Special Advisor to General Valeriy Zaluzhnyy, Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This was first announced by Ukrinform, the national news agency of Ukraine, on May 19, 2022, in an exclusive interview with Dan Rice. Upon the personal invitation of General Zaluzhnyy, Rice visited the cities of Lviv and Kyiv, Ukraine in May 2022 to directly learn about the leadership and leader development transformation of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from 2014 to present. Read more.

The Army West Point Athletics Association’s Academic Support team has selected its scholar-athlete for the 2021-22 academic year, awarding Sprint Football’s David Dickerson. Dickerson, who graduated this May, was a four-year member and starting linebacker on the Army West Point Sprint Football Team. He finished his time at the Academy with a 4.049 academic GPA as an engineering management major. In recognition of his dedication and commitment to excellence, both on and off the field, Dickerson was elected by his teammates as a defensive captain for the 2021 season. Read more.

The Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership is proud to announce that GEN (R) Vincent "Vince" Brooks, USMA '80, will join the faculty as the next Class of 1951 Chair for the Study of Leadership. After graduating as his class's First Captain, GEN Brooks joined the Infantry and led with distinction across the continental United States, Germany, Kosovo, Iraq, Hawaii, and Korea, culminating with assignments as the commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division, US Army Central (ARCENT/Third Army), US Army Pacific, and US Forces-Korea/United Nations Command. The Class of 1951 Leadership Chair is made possible by the generosity and dedication of the Class of 1951.

The Intercollegiate Tennis Association “ITA” is pleased to announce Army’s Caroline Vincent as the 2022 ITA Ann Lebedeff Leadership Award Winner as endowed by Billie Jean King. As a four-year starter and current team captain of the Army Women's Tennis team, Vincent will be honored with a postgraduate scholarship and special recognition at the ITA Awards Weekend in New York later this year. Additionally, the Army Women's Tennis team will be awarded a $1,000 donation from the ITA in her honor. Read more.

The technical depth that these Class of 2022 scholars will gain from their graduate studies and experience working in cutting-edge laboratories will prepare them to tackle complex and emerging issues facing the Army. “Being a recipient of the MIT-Lincoln Labs military fellowship is a humbling opportunity to conduct research with some of the nation’s finest scholars. The honor of being included with these minds motivates me to continue to learn and use my knowledge to better our nation and its military.” - 2LT Kevin Lin ’22

On May 13, COL (R) David Ashley ’97, who commissioned in the Air Force upon graduation, scaled Mount Everest, the world's highest mountain, becoming the first living kidney donor to climb the highest mountains on each of the seven continents.  Ashley reached the summit point at around 8am Nepal time.  In 2017, Ashley donated a kidney to a classmate in need. Congratulations COL (R) Ashley on setting the new world record!  Read more.

The following classes have added updates this week to their Class Notes pages. 1956 | 1958 | 1961 | 1966 | 1969 | 1973 | 1980 | 1996. Class Notes

Kevin Offel ’96 was appointed by Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, and subsequently unanimously confirmed by the Oklahoma Senate, to serve as a member of the Oklahoma Veterans Commission for a 3-year term, effective July 2022. A 4th generation military veteran and currently President of the Class of 1996, Mr. Offel was also recently re-appointed by Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth for a 3rd term as Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army (CASA) - Oklahoma.

Ambassador William B. Taylor ’69, Vice President, Russia and Europe at the U.S. Institute of Peace joins Dr. Thomas Sherlock, Professor of Political Science in the Department of Social Sciences in a conversation about the history of the region and the Ukraine’s relationship with Russia. Tune in as Ambassador Taylor details his personal experience, what the conflict means for Ukraine’s people, how the invasion effects the U.S. and NATO, and what you can do to help the Ukraine as the country fights for its freedom. Listen now.

On May 16, WPAOG hosted the dedication of the Olmsted Wing in the library in honor of MG George H. Olmsted (1922). The George and Carol Olmsted Foundation is West Point’s top foundation donor with its support of the West Point Museum in Olmsted Hall, the Olmsted Foundation Award, the Olmsted Foundation Cultural Immersion Program, and the Student Conference of the U.S. Affairs (SCUSA). The event served to recognize the Foundation for its long-standing commitment to West Point. Read more.

On May 16, WPAOG dedicated a new space to West Point Olympians. Located on the second floor of Arvin Cadet Physical Development Center, the display honors the approximately 100 West Point Olympians and inspires the hundreds of cadets who compete, sweat and train in Arvin every day. The Olympic Alcove donor and keynote speaker for the event, COL (R) Guy K. Troy ’46, shared his own memories of competing in the Olympics as well as his lifetime involvement with the International Olympic Committee. COL Nick Gist ’94, Master of the Sword and Director, Department of Physical Education, welcomed the West Point Olympians in attendance: Mr. Bob Dow, former Class of ’66; LTC (R) Craig Gilbert ’78, Ms. Elexa Orrange ’90, and Mrs. Anita Allen Caskey ’00. Read more about West Point’s Olympians.

Major General Omar J. Jones IV ’92 has been selected for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general and assignment as Commanding General, Installation Management Command, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas. He is currently serving as Deputy Commanding General, Installation Management Command, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas.

On May 26 the following officers were confirmed for promotion to the rank of brigadier general.:

COL Gail E. Atkins ’95
COL Matthew W. Brown ’97
COL Jonathan C. Byrom ’95
COL Steven P. Carpenter ’96
COL John P. Cogbill ’94
COL Jason A. Curl ’95
COL Mark D. Miles ’95
COL Geoffrey A. Norman ’94
COL Kimberly A. Peeples ’94
COL Christopher D. Schneider ’94
COL Michael J. Simmering ’93
COL Brian D. Vile ’94

Three Black Knights were recognized as All Americans by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA). 2LT Brendan Nichtern ’22 was selected to the USILA All-American First Team, while classmates 2LT Bobby Abshire and 2LT James Pryor were named honorable mention. Read more.

2LT Emily Mikoud ’22 set the program and service academy record in the hammer throw en route to qualifying for the 2022 NCAA Championships. Mikoud set the records on her first attempt which landed 66.64 meters. It was three meters further than her previous personal record and her final throw (64.63) would have also been a personal record. Mikoud finished in sixth place to qualify for the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon on June 9. Read more.

The 27th Annual Alumni Golf Outing at West Point is June 9-11. If you are a golfer, this is a great way to reconnect with alumni, classmates, and your alma mater. The event includes two rounds of golf, meals, and some great prizes! All graduates and their guests are invited. Don’t miss out—register now!

The following classes have added updates this week to their Class Notes pages. 1956 | 1958 | 1959 | 1972 | 1979 | 1982 | 1989 | 1990 | 1994 | 1996. Class Notes

The George C. Marshall International Center presented the Award in Ethical Leadership to COL (R) Greg Gadson ’89 at the Center’s annual gala on April 29. COL (R) Gadson is the first recipient of the award which is presented to one recipient each year who “embodies the principles of selfless service, unwavering integrity and visionary leadership that characterized the life and example of its namesake.” In May 2007, as commander of the 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery, an improvised explosive device (IED) attack cost the former Army Football linebacker both legs above the knees and normal use of his right arm and hand. Despite this, Gadson remained on active duty. Read more.

Army West Point Athletics has announced the newest members to the Army Sports Hall of Fame on May 26. The Class of 2022 features the following inductees: Ron Bazil (Track & Field/Cross Country Head Coach), Randy Nelson ’76 (Men’s Soccer), Don Smith ’86 (Football), Peter Witteried ’54 (Men’s Swimming and Diving), and Maurice Worthy ’02 (Wrestling). The 18th class of the Army Sports Hall of Fame will be inducted on September 16 at 6 pm in Eisenhower Hall. Read more.

In Episode #31, Dan Streetman ’90, Chief Executive Officer of TIBCO, talks about how always finding the right solution and having humility are critical in everything you do. Dan is an expert at leveraging real-time data to enable faster, smarter decisions. Listen here.

Brian C. Turner ’91 has been named the Associate Deputy Director of the FBI where he will oversee all FBI personnel, budget, administration, infrastructure, compliance, insider threat, and diversity and inclusion programs. Beginning his FBI career in 2002 as a special agent assigned to the Philadelphia Field Office investigating white-collar crimes and criminal enterprises and supported surveillance operations. He has most recently served as the executive assistant director of the Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch. Read more.

Philip Jalufka ’94 has released Leading With Your Life Equation: How to be Indestructible, Indispensable & Unstoppable. Imagine you’re a high school kid, a football player in a small Texas town, totally focused on attending West Point. In an instant, your plans are derailed in a horrific auto accident. Life had presented a series of challenges, starting with an accident that required the jaws of life to extract him from a crushed car. With each setback, Philip found the strength to make decisions that guided him to personal and professional success.

Following a detour to West Point, he graduated the Academy with honors and went on to serve in the elite U.S. Army Special Operations. Philip developed and followed a formula that continues to drive his life choices. In Leading With Your Life Equation: How to Be Indestructible, Indispensable, and Unstoppable, he shares his experiences, knowledge, and life lessons—and those of his peers and mentors.

Today we celebrate all five branches of the United States military. The West Point Association of Graduates would like to thank all the service members of the United States Armed Forces for their service to our country.

The following classes have added updates this week to their Class Notes pages. 1945 | 1970 | 1972 | 1974 | 1988 | 1990 | 1993 | 1995 | 1996 | 2007 | 2009 | 2018. Class Notes

The Class of 1945 presented a 75th Reunion Gift of $74,000 to the Cold War Studies Endowment. BG (R) Samuel K. Lessey Jr. and COL (R) Amos L. Wright represented the Class in presenting this gift to Superintendent, LTG Darryl A. Williams ’83, and Todd Browne ’85, President and CEO of the West Point Association of Graduates. Collectively, the class has given $21 million to West Point since they graduated 77 years ago. We thank the class for its outstanding generosity.

Tony Hofmann ’90, Endurance, Teamwork and Grit. This is the story of Team Leadville, a high-altitude marathon team with a unified mission: stopping veteran suicide. Incorporating the tenets of endurance, teamwork and grit--while using the highest U.S. city as the backdrop--this book chronicles the team’s odyssey from the simple idea of a group challenge to raising nearly one quarter million dollars (and counting) to save veteran lives. Learn about the physical and mental challenges tackling the Leadville Trail Marathon’s brutal course, building a successful all-volunteer team, and discovering a program that continues to transform the lives of veterans suffering from the moral injuries associated with their service. Endurance, Teamwork and Grit demonstrates the collective power of teams and Team Leadville’s relentless push to end veteran suicide.

On May 17, the West Point Association of Graduates awarded the 2022 Distinguished Graduate Award to six recipients:

COL (R) Frederick C. Lough Jr. ’70
COL (R) Lee A. Van Arsdale ’74
GEN (R) John F. Campbell ’79
BG (R) Rebecca S. Halstead ’81
Mr. Alex Gorsky ’82
LTG (R) Nadja Y. West ’82

This annual award is bestowed upon West Point graduates whose character, distinguished service and stature draw wholesome comparison to the qualities for which West Point strives, in keeping with its motto: “Duty, Honor, Country.” Read more. View Photos

This episode features a conversation between MAJ Benjamin Elliott ’07, instructor for MX400 Officership at the Simon Center for the Professional Military Ethic at West Point, and Dr. Ryan Erbe, Emotional Wellness Integrator with the Character Integration Advisory Group at the United States Military Academy. Listen here.

France Hoang ’95 was Awarded the 2022 Veteran of the Year by National Able Network, a female veteran-led workforce organization for his work evacuating our Afghan allies. France served as the Executive Officer of a U.S. Army Special Forces Company in Southeast Afghanistan. In August 2021, as the situation in Afghanistan unraveled, France took action to support Afghan allies by co-founding the Afghan Departure Group and becoming the Chairman of the Board of Allied Airlift, a non-profit that is facilitating the screening of allies for the evacuation process. France, in collaboration with his contacts in the aviation and defense communities, coordinated the travel and logistics to evacuate 400 Afghan allies and their families. Read more.

During their 50th Reunion, the Class of 1972 presented a 50th Reunion Gift of $6,200,000 to the Frederic V. Malek West Point Visitors Center; the Cyber & Engineering Academic Center; the Michie Stadium Preservation Project; the Army Cyber Institute; and the Cyber Research Center. Mr. Bill Britain and Mr. Bob Allbright represented the Class in presenting this historic gift to Superintendent LTG Darryl A. Williams ’83, and Todd Browne ’85. This gift sets a new record for Class Reunion Gifts.

It should be noted that the Class of ‘72 raised $7.2M in this campaign. And, collectively, they have given $14.1M to West Point since they graduated 50 years ago. We thank the class for its outstanding generosity. Proud and True ’72!

You will be able to watch 2022 USMA Grad week events online starting May 17, with the Alumni Wreath Laying followed by the Alumni Review, which will include the Distinguished Graduate Award Recipients. Return to your screens on May 20 to view the Graduation Parade and watch the poignant last review for the Class of 2022. Conclude your week by celebrating with the Class on May 21 as they throw their caps in the air and join the ranks of the Long Gray Line.

May 17 - Alumni Wreath Laying at 10:20am EST – USMA YouTube
May 17 - Alumni Review at 11:00am EST – USMA YouTube
May 20 - The Graduation Parade at 11:00am EST – USMA YouTube
May 21 - Graduation Ceremony at 9:00am EST – DVIDShub or USMA YouTube.

Matthew Rotella ’86, a Private Wealth Advisor with Ameriprise Financial in Riverdale, NJ, was named to the list of “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” published by Forbes magazine for the fifth year in a row. The list recognizes financial advisors who have demonstrated high levels of ethical standards, professionalism, and success in the business.

WPAOG is thrilled to announce the return of our Grad Insider Tours! Available to Old Grads and their guests, Insider Tours take you behind the scenes of your Rockbound Highland Home. Show your family where it all happened: walk through Central and North areas, tour the Mess Hall and Jefferson Hall, and revisit memories from the boxing rings and Indoor Obstacle Course in Arvin Gym. You can also tour the Cadet Uniform Factory, where the Cadets’ distinct gray uniforms are all hand-made right here at West Point! Learn more and get tickets.

In 2022, the WPAOG Nominating Committee will nominate graduates for five Director positions and six Advisor-at-Large positions.  To apply for a nomination, please see the instructions posted on the WPAOG website. The deadline for graduates to submit their completed applications is July 1. The 2022 election process will conclude on November 15 at 5pm EST, at the Annual Meeting of the Association of Graduates at Herbert Alumni Center.

This episode features an interview with Mark McLaughlin ’88, Chairman of the Board at Qualcomm and Vice Chairman of the Board at Palo Alto Networks, a global cybersecurity leader working to shape the cloud-centric future with technology that is aimed at transforming the way people and organizations operate. McLaughlin talks about his non-linear career path that started after being medically discharged from the military because of a helicopter accident. He emphasizes the importance of networking with fellow alumni. Listen here.

The following classes have added updates this week to their Class Notes pages. 1945 | 1956 | 1961 | 1963 | 1968 | 1974 | 1981 | 1988 | 1993 | 1994 | 2004 | 2009 | 2011. Class Notes

The Military Times Foundation recently announced their Service Members of the Year award winners. Congratulations to Soldier of the Year, MAJ Nicholas Dockery ’11, a 2017 Nininger Award Winner and Class of 2023 Downing Scholar; and 2022 Veteran of the Year, David Y. Kim ’88. For the past 21 years, Service Members of the Year awards have honored one outstanding military (active duty, Guard or Reserve) member from each branch of service selected based on exemplary military service that goes beyond the call of duty.

Second generation space worker Janet Petro ’81 winds down her first year in the top job at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC), she’s focused on transitioning KSC to what she bills as a launch “mecca” — a facility serving not only NASA, but also private space companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin with the possibilities of 50+ launches a year. Read more.

WPAOG and the Highland Falls Intermediate School (HFIS) recently launched an after-school partnership program called CONNECT with the goal to provide new impactful learning opportunities for local students as part of assisting in the continuing economic and educational development of Highland Falls. On May 2, a “CONNECTing to our Community” event provided local students a walking tour of Highland Falls with visits to Memorial Park, the Fire House, the Center of Highland Falls, the Library and the Historical Society. At each stop, members of the town were excited to see new community connections igniting young minds and making a difference in students’ lives. Learn more.

Congratulations to COL Mike Benson ’94 on receiving the 2022 Coach Mike Krzyzewski Award for Excellence in Teaching Character Through Sport for his role as the Water Polo OIC. This award recognizes West Point athletes and coaches for their outstanding commitment to the development of noble character through athletic participation and leadership.

The West Point community came together in record numbers for the first West Point Challenge. A heartfelt thank you to all the Old Grads, parents, and friends who supported the Challenge this week and encouraged others to join. With gifts totaling $4.4 million dollars, every part of West Point was impacted. Over 330 different funds, including 100 Directorate of Cadet Activities (DCA) Clubs, received Margin of Excellence gifts. The Class of 2025 Parents won the Parent Challenge and pizza for their cadets. Once again, the Class of 1972 had the highest active class participation, and the Class of 1994 had the most donors. The Class of 1976 had the most money raised, with the Class of 1977 memorializing each deceased classmate through West Point Challenge gifts. A special thank you to our oldest grad, COL (R) Francis K. Newcomer ’39, for his donation. Challenge by the numbers.

Kristyn E. Jones ’93 was sworn in as Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller on May 4, following her confirmation to the role by the U.S. Senate on April 28. Prior to her confirmation, Jones most recently served as a Managing Director in KPMG’s Federal Advisory practice and as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Financial Information Management. Read more.

This episode features a conversation with Rodney Manzo ’04, Founder and CEO of Anvyl, a company that strives to bring intelligent and connected supply chains to customers around the world. Listen.

The following classes have added updates this week to their Class Notes pages. 1956 | 1959 | 1961 | 1962 | 1966 | 1969 | 1976 | 1982 | 1984 | 1988 | 1992 | 1993 | 1996. Class Notes

COL Gerald T. Cecil ’66, LTG Frank G. Helmick ’76, and COL Shawn L. Daniel ’93 will be inducted into the 2022 Ranger Hall of Fame ceremony on July 13 at Ft. Benning, GA. The Ranger Hall of Fame served the exclusive purpose of honoring and preserving the contributions of America’s most extraordinary Rangers. Inductees are impartially selected from the Ranger community and represent all units and eras of Ranger history.

RADM Michael Shelton ’67 has released West Point Admiral. Shelton is the only graduate ever selected to Flag rank. Former USA TODAY executive editor Chet Czarniak states Shelton “...chronicles his ascent to admiral with illuminating nuggets, opinions, and lessons learned in leadership in a changing Navy. Part memoir, part historical guide, and part primer on the vast resources and systems required to support the military. Shelton opines on a range of topics...” covering the turbulent years, JFK to 9/11 presidencies, shaping the military today. Available on westpointadmiral.com and on Amazon.

West Point is excited to announce GEN Mark A. Milley, Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff, will serve as the commencement speaker at the Class of 2022 graduation ceremony on May 21. Throughout his career, Milley has had multiple command and staff positions in eight divisions and special forces throughout the last 43 years.

COL Landis C. Maddox ’96 has taken Command of Joint Munitions at a change of command ceremony on May 2 at Memorial Field on the Rock Island Arsenal. The ceremony was officiated by the Commanding General Army Materiel Command (JMC’s higher headquarters), GEN Edward “Ed” M. Daly ’87. Read more.

The Army Engineer Association, on behalf of the Engineer Regiment has awarded COL (R) Geoffrey G. Prosch ’69 the Silver Order of the de Fleury Medal for his inspirational leadership and support to the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

The White House has appointed LTG Nadja West ’82 & Susan Irons ’89 to Board of Visitors. The Board of Visitors to USMA provides independent advice and recommendations to the President of the United States on matters related to morale, discipline, curriculum, instruction, physical equipment, fiscal affairs, academic methods, and any other matters relating to the Academy that the Board decides to consider. The Board consists of six members appointed by the President for terms of 3 years.

Glenn Voelz ’92 has released The Third Force the dramatic conclusion of The Gisawi Chronicles. The Democratic Republic of Gisawi is on the verge of historic elections after the ousting of the country's longtime dictator. The fragile democracy is in peril when an infamous warlord and his rebel army threaten to send the country into chaos. But nothing is what it seems in a game of geopolitical intrigue and deception, and no one can be trusted. A cautionary tale about nation-building run amok. Available on Amazon.

The West Point Challenge is on! May 1 to May 5! We only have three days left to maximize participation, and with your help, we can reach as many people as possible to join the effort. Utilizing social media is the number one way we can achieve this goal. Updates will be posted throughout the challenge on WPAOG's social media channels, so follow along and share our posts.

Lieutenant General Randy A. George ’88 has been selected for appointment to the rank of general and assignment as Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, Washington, DC. He is currently serving as Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense, Washington, DC.

Lieutenant General Andrew P. Poppas ’88 has been selected for appointment to the rank of general and assignment as Commanding General, United States Army Forces Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He is currently serving as Director, Joint Staff, Washington, DC.

Major General Sean C. Bernabe ’92 has been selected for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general and assignment as Commanding General, III Corps and Fort Hood, Fort Hood, Texas. He is currently serving as Commanding General, 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss, Fort Bliss, Texas.

WPAOG Career Services invites you to participate in our newest service offering, the Job Search Accelerator Program (JSA). The JSA program is a collaborative, cohort-based professional development series that will meet Tuesdays & Thursdays from May 10-24, from 12-1pm via Zoom. Topics cover some of the most common career-building skills that grads seek help with including identifying your job search target, writing resumes and cover letters, perfecting your elevator pitch, networking strategies and interview preparation.

The following classes have added updates this week to their Class Notes pages. 1946 | 1959 | 1960 | 1964 | 1970 | 1974 | 1982 | 1984 | 1988 | 1992 | 1996 | 2004. Class Notes

The latest episode of the WPAOG podcast is here! This episode features Chris Gaertner ’84, Partner at Integrity Partners and Co-CEO and CFO of DHC Acquisition Corporation. Gaertner talks about how as a first-generation American, he felt a need to serve the country. He discusses his experiences in Ranger School and serving in the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division. In addition, Gaertner provides insight on moving from the military to civilian life and shares advice on making the transition successful. Listen.

Supporting West Point through WPAOG is an important means by which BG (R) Jack Pellicci ’60 gives thanks to his alma mater. Recently, Pellicci donated appreciated stock to fund a charitable gift annuity that provides him income for life, with the remainder going to support West Point and the Long Gray Line. Read more.

Braden Hurley was named Senior Global Sports Consultant at Nielsen Sports. Focusing on maximizing, creating, and measuring return through investing in sport, Hurley has worked with brands across all major sports. Currently focused on growing Nielsen Sports’ business with US-based brands investing in Formula 1, he also works with leagues, teams and governing bodies on special projects such as strategic sponsorship guidance, rate card analysis, and naming rights valuations.

The West Point Society of Annapolis (WPSOA) coordinated a joint tailgate with Army-Navy Women’s Lacrosse and team parents to celebrate an anticipated Army victory. Win they did, Women’s Lacrosse achieved their first-ever victory over Navy, 14-9. Following the game at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, approximately 200 people gathered for the post-game tailgate. In recognition of the magnificent win over Navy, WPSOA President Steve Heinecke ’77 and Secretary Bob Opatovsky ’70 presented Coach Michelle Tumolo with a WPSOA Challenge Coin.

Jack McGehee has been named a Champion of Justice by Texas Watch, a non-partisan citizen advocacy organization dedicated to insurance companies and other corporations that are accountable to their customers, for his dedication to safety, accountability, and justice. Read more.

Joseph J. Corey, Jr., ’64 Authored Contract Management and Administration For Contract and Project Management Professionals. A comprehensive guide to and explanation of contracts, the contracting process. This book introduces and discusses the author’s unique and breakthrough concept of the Ten Stages of the Contracting Process. Available at Amazon.

The spring issue of West Point magazine explores the four regiments that make up the Corps of Cadets at West Point. Read about the evolution of the USCC Brigade, the Brigade Tactical Department and hear from cadets about today’s Corps. Also check out coverage of this year’s Ring Melt Ceremony for the Class of 2023, which set a donation record of 71 rings. Read the digital edition now.

The following classes have added updates this week to their Class Notes pages. 1963 | 1966 | 1968. Class Notes

Register by April 28 to win an overnight stay on us at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City for the DC Service Academy Career Conference on May 5-6! With less than two weeks to go and 112 companies registered, this is shaping up to be an extraordinary event for Grads transitioning from active duty and seasoned industry practitioners. Register now and get your resume in front of industry-leading employers.

With his recent selection for the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame (FVHOF), COL (R) Gill Ruderman ’66 of Bradenton, FL, completed a triad of honors over recent years. The FVHOF recognizes Florida veterans who have made significant post-service contributions to National, State and Local activities as a volunteer; there are only 121 members. In 2016, he was selected as Manatee County’s Veteran of the Year for his support of veterans, veteran organizations and veteran activities, also as a volunteer. In 2021, he was inducted into the University of Florida Rugby Hall of Fame as a member of its second class for his on-field skills and leadership in the 1970’s while stationed there.

LTG (R) Robert Foley ’63 has released: Standing Tall: Leadership Lessons in the Life of a Soldier. Robert Foley had only been in Vietnam for six months when he was promoted to captain and given command of a rifle company. In November 1966, Foley led his men on a mission to rescue another company that had been pinned down by Viet Cong forces. His leadership that day inspired his men and led to a successful operation—and the Medal of Honor. His actions in Vietnam were only a small portion of a long and varied career of service in the US Army, but Foley did not always seem marked for success. Available at Amazon.

It is National Volunteer Week. Thank you to all our volunteers worldwide that continue to promote and support WPAOG and West Point. Their dedication and commitment help the Long Gray Line remain the leading, most powerful, most highly connected alumni body in the world. To join one of our amazing volunteer groups, click here!

Congratulations to the three cadet teams selected for the West Point semifinals of the DEVCOM WISE Competition. The Warfighter Innovation in Science & Engineering (WISE) Challenge is a Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) competition sponsored by the Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Soldier Center and approved by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Research & Technology. Read more.

In anticipation of the 60th anniversary of General Douglas MacArthur’s acceptance speech of the Thayer Award on May 12, 1962, the following video was aired during a Corps-wide dinner on April 14th. “The Long Gray Line has never failed us. Were you to do so, a million ghosts in olive drab, in brown khaki, in blue and gray, would rise from the white crosses thundering those magic words: Duty, Honor, Country.” – GEN MacArthur. Photos.

The latest episode of the WPAOG podcast features a conversation between Rich DeMarco, Associate Athletic Director and radio play-by-play announcer for the Army Black Knights, and Jeff Monken, Head Coach of Army West Point Football. Listen.

Adam Silver, the commissioner of the National Basketball Association, provided cadets with a diverse set of suggestions on negotiating based on 30 years of his experience working in the league with executives and athletes such as Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Chris Paul and Lebron James during the West Point Negotiation Workshop at Robinson Auditorium. Silver was joined by former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey ’74 to talk to the cadets about the art of negotiating. Full story.

WPAOG and the Highland Falls Intermediate School (HFIS) recently launched an after-school partnership program called CONNECT with the goal to provide new impactful learning opportunities for local students as part of assisting in the continuing economic and educational development of Highland Falls. On April 6, students and West Point cadets participated in the latest CONNECT event, where they learned about Capoeira, a Brazilian art that incorporates Portuguese music, acrobatics and dance. Learn more.

The latest episode of the WPAOG podcast is here! This episode features an interview between Dr. Yasmine Kalkstein, the Lead Character Integrator and Associate Professor at West Point, and Dr. Jeffrey Peterson ’87, the Director of the Character Integration Advisory Group (CIAG) at West Point. In this episode, Dr. Peterson discusses the diversification of the United States Military Academy over time in terms of gender, ethnicity, and race, and how as the Army and society evolve, so too do the challenges being faced related to the complexities of behavior and character. He discusses how the launch of the CIAG is aimed at tackling this issue through character education and by weaving character development into other West Point programs. Listen.

The following classes have added updates this week to their Class Notes pages. 1966 | 1973 | 1976 | 1984 | 1987 | 1996 | 2000. Class Notes

COL (R) Stephen Kirin ’73 has been promoted to the new role of Vice President, Enterprise Operations at MITRE, with responsibility for the operationalization, planning, and measurement of MITRE’s corporate strategy, objectives, and annual and long-term measures. Kirin directs enterprise business priorities and oversees enterprise-wide operational activities, ensuring the development and implementation of efficient and cost-effective processes and systems to meet MITRE’s current and future needs. Read more.

Check out the WPAOG podcast. This latest episode features an interview with Rob Schneider ’02, Chief Content, Development and Strategy Officer at Learfield, a large collegiate sports marketing company. In this episode, Schneider talks about why he commissioned for infantry and how networking was so important to help him advance professionally after serving in the military. He discusses the steps it took to get his career started, including the importance of transitioning to new experiences and executive leadership roles. Listen.

In his spare time, Mike Nemeth ’04 plans and executes pranks against the Naval Academy. In this interview, he talks about his childhood, his time at West Point, and his experiences in the business world. He highlights producing Center Stall and some of the videos he’s produced, discussing various interactions with the Academy Staff and Faculty. Watch.

The West Point Society of Annapolis (WPSOA) held its 36th annual Founders Day in-person celebration on March 26 attended by 38 members and guests. President, Steve Heinecke ’77 discussed the status and purpose of the WPSOA followed by dinner. After viewing the Superintendent’s video, Steve introduced WPAOG's Bob Curran ’72 who updated the guests on activities underway at the WPAOG. Eldest grad Bob Frank ’65, and youngest, Alex Bean ’13, provided a brief commentary on the Corps and their experiences. The evening culminated with COL Nick Gist ’94, Master of the Sword, addressing the audience on improvements underway at USMA with anecdotes on cadet life, concluding with the singing of the Alma Mater.

The following classes have added updates this week to their Class Notes pages. 1959 | 1961 | 1973 | 1988 | 1989 | 2002 | 2004. Class Notes