WPAOG’s annual Distinguished Graduate Award is bestowed upon those 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.” The awards will be presented in a ceremony at West Point on May 21, 2019. Please join us in congratulating the 2019 Distinguished Graduate Award Recipients:

David A. Bramlett ’64
Victor F. Garcia ’68
Robert L. VanAntwerp ’72
Walter L. Sharp ’74
Robert L. Caslen Jr. ’75

On January 25, WPAOG hosted the Class Ring Memorial Program at West Point for the very first time. Beginning with the Bicentennial Class of 2002, class rings worn by past West Point graduates have been donated, melted, and mixed into the gold used for the rings of the rising First Class cadets. Every previous “Ring Melt” has been held in Warwick, RI. To date, 575 rings have been donated and melted, creating a tangible connection between past and future graduates of the Long Gray Line. Video. Photos.

To celebrate WPAOG’s 150th Anniversary in 2019, we are sharing fascinating “On This Day” historical facts every day on our social media feeds and website. For more than a year, LTC(R) Jenn Voigtschild Minus ’93 combed through USMA & WPAOG history to collect more than 365 facts, one for each day of the year. See them all on our website at: westpointaog.org/150thonthisday or check out #WPAOG150 on social media.

If you are considering a career transition, a new job field, or just exploring your options, don’t miss the Service Academy Career Conference (SACC) on March 28-29 in Jacksonville, FL. SACC job fairs are exclusively for service academy alumni and are a great way to learn about the current job market or advanced degree options, and discover employment opportunities across the U.S. SACCs allow candidates to connect face to face with companies and universities.
   * Over 80% of jobs are secured through networking!
   * 60% of SACC candidates had on-site interviews during the conference
   * 75% of SACC candidates had follow up interviews
The odds are in your favor! We look forward to seeing you at the next SACC. Register by Friday, March 22.

At the February 9 Black Engineer of the Year Award Gala MG(R) Ron Johnson ’76 received the Educational Leadership Award (College-Level Promotion of Education), BG(R) Leo A. Brooks ’79 received the Career Achievement in Industry Award, and USMA faculty member Dr. Samuel Ivy was recognized as a Modern-Day Technology Leader.

Most people don’t think of “love” when they think of the United States Military Academy, but several aspects associated with adoration and affection have become synonymous with West Point. Flirtation Walk, Kissing Rock, the Two Percent Club, other romantic traditions and even leadership. Leadership?! Yes, though it is love pertaining to commitment and devotion, not romance. Full story.

The West Point Center for Oral History recently conducted an interview with Dr. John Thurman Jr. ’00 who was assigned to the Minority Admissions Office at West Point when he suffered a serious knee injury in 2004. During his recovery, he worked at Keller Hospital, which set him on a path to become a doctor. He is currently a family practice doctor, and he continues to apply many of the lessons he learned in the Army and at West Point.

Since the launch of our newest initiative, Grad Link, we have received tremendously positive feedback on this personal networking tool exclusively for West Point grads, which now boasts over 7,800 users! Check out our FAQs, and access this secure platform today through the Google Play Store, Apple App Store or with your web browser. Grad Link is your gateway to networking with fellow graduates! Join us!

The West Point Cyber Policy team won its fourth Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge competition in France on January 23. The Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge is designed to offer students across a wide range of academic disciplines a better understanding of the policy challenges associated with cyber conflict. The USMA Cyber Policy team represents five different majors: Computer Science, International Relations, Economics, Operations Research and Law. Preparing for the competition involved not only understanding the relevant laws, strategies and institutions of France and the European Union, but also the processes and timelines involved in using them. Full story.

USMA 2020 cadets celebrated 500th Night on January 26 and USMA 2021 cadets celebrated Yearling Winter Weekend on February 2. Both weekends gave cadets a chance to celebrate their accomplishments so far and anticipate what’s left to do. Both weekends included formal banquets in Washington Hall with inspiring guest speakers.

Reserve your space in the Summer 2019 West Point Authors Bookshelf, a special advertising section in West Point magazine showcasing books by West Point affiliated authors. Check out the West Point Bookshelf in the Winter 2019 issue to discover & support books written by fellow members of the Long Gray Line. Learn more about this and other WPAOG advertising and sponsorship opportunities.