WPAOG has named the 2016 recipients of the Distinguished Graduate Award. Since 1992, this annual award has been 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 2016 recipients are: Mr. Louis Gross ’54, BG (R) John C. Bahnsen Jr. ’56, Mr. Joseph B. Anderson Jr. ’65, Mr. William P. Foley II ’67, GEN (R) Richard A. Cody ’72, and GEN (R)  Keith B. Alexander. The awards will be presented in a ceremony at West Point on May 17, 2016.  Read more.

In December of 2015, Nadja West ’82 made history as the first African-American to serve as the Army Surgeon General, which is a three-star billet. On February 10, 2016 West was formally promoted and became the Army’s first black female to hold the rank of Lieutenant General. She is now the highest-ranking woman of any race to graduate from West Point. Read more.

Former Army Ranger and Afghanistan veteran Matthew Griffin ’01, co-founder of Combat Flip Flops, appeared on the Feb. 5 episode of ABC’s “Shark Tank,” which highlighted veterans and military families seeking to start or grow a business with assistance from the panel of “shark” investors. Griffin joins fellow West Point grads and veterans who successfully received funding on the show: sisters Ashley Jung ’04 and Paige Dellavalle ‘09, co-founders of Stella Valle jewelry, who appeared in 2013. Watch the video. Read more.

All graduates and special guests are invited to participate in Athena's Arena, a conference celebrating 40 years of women at the United States Military Academy. Join us at West Point April 28-30 for thought-provoking programs exploring current women's topics at West Point, in the Army, and across the nation. Keynote speakers include GEN Ann Dunwoody and author Gayle Lemmon. Space is limited, so REGISTER ONLINE today!

On Feb. 2, a team of West Point cadets placed second in the “Peer to Peer [P2P]: Challenging Extremism” initiative, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Department of Homeland Security, Facebook and EdVenture Partners.  The cadets competed against more than 900 students from 44 universities around the world, using digital tools to counter violent extremist narratives in order to reach those vulnerable to ISIS recruiting tactics and missions. The top four teams gathered at West Point on Feb. 4 to present their social media campaigns at an event sponsored by the Combating Terrorism Center (CTC) and Modern War Institute (MWI).  Read more

“It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. . . . The way that I understand the world has changed because of it.” Cadet James Trollan ‘16 is one of the more than 100 cadets who take part in the Semester Abroad Program each year. This program is a strategic priority for the Academy and defines the Margin of Excellence—those opportunities that go above and beyond the core elements of cadets’ education and training to ensure that they develop to their highest potential. Hear Cadet Trollan describe a semester abroad in Morocco.

If you’re planning a career transition or looking for a graduate studies program, make it a priority to attend a Service Academy Career Conference (SACC), exclusively for service academy alumni. Four SACCs per year allow candidates to interact face-to-face with a large number of companies and universities. Visit the SACC website for important information about the upcoming SACC in Savannah, GA.

“Look for this issue, themed The Arts at West Point: “An Essential Part of an Officer’s Education” in your mailbox, or read it online.

• The Never-Ending Beat for the Long Gray Line: USMA Band
• Profiles: West Pointers in the Arts
• 2015 Thayer Award Presented to Gary Sinise
• Ambassadors in Song: The Cadet Glee Club