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2018 Distinguished Graduate Awards
On May 22, WPAOG presented the 2018 Distinguished Graduate Awards during the Alumni Review. This year’s recipients were: COL(R) Dana G. Mead ’57, Mr. Thomas C. Barron ’65, LTG(R) Larry R. Jordan ’68, GEN(R) William C. Wallace ’69, HON Sloan D. Gibson ’75, and HON Douglas E. Lute ’75. The review was preceded by the Alumni Exercises; West Point’s oldest living graduate, Col (USAF, R) Kermit R. Dyke ’40, laid the wreath at Thayer’s Statue. The Alumni Luncheon followed the review, and guests included the Distinguished Graduates, guests and classmates, and reunion attendees from the Classes of 1943 January, 1948, 1953 and 1968.
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All Academy Challenge Starts Next Week!
Get ready, the fifth annual All Academy Challenge starts on May 31! Help USMA beat Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine by making a gift between May 31 and June 4. The school with the highest alumni giving participation rate during these 5 days wins, so no matter the size of your gift, or where you choose to designate it, your participation counts toward victory! By giving, you will not only help us win, you’ll also support Margin of Excellence programs at West Point that are critical to the education and development of the Corps of Cadets. To participate, please make your gift during the Challenge from May 31 to June 4! GO ARMY! BEAT ’em ALL!
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For Grads Only: NEW Grad Link Networking Service Available Today
To further WPAOG’s vision “for the Long Gray Line to be the most connected alumni body in the world,” WPAOG today unveils a new networking tool, Grad Link, which provides an enhanced level of connectivity with fellow grads. Grad Link improves upon the popular “Find a Grad” feature from the WPAOG website, allowing you to directly connect with fellow grads. It combines data from WPAOG with information from your LinkedIn profile to help you quickly and easily find grads that share your interests. You will be able to conceal some of your personal information, such as your email address, location or entire profile. You can access this secure platform today on your mobile device through the Google Play Store, Apple App Store or with your web browser. To ensure an easy sign-up experience, please make sure the email address attached to your LinkedIn account is on file with WPAOG by contacting GradLink@wpaog.org. More information.
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Class of 2018 to Join the Long Gray Line
Please join us in welcoming the Class of 2018 into the Long Gray Line on May 26! USMA has announced that Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., the 19th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is the commencement speaker. Graduation is scheduled for 10 am at Michie Stadium, and you can watch the ceremony live online beginning at approximately 9:35am EDT.
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Army Baseball Claims League-Leading 8th Title
The Army West Point Baseball team took down service-academy rival Navy 5-3 at Annapolis on May 21 to sweep the Patriot League Championship Series and claim its league-leading eighth conference crown. With the win, the Black Knights advance to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2013. They will learn their regional placement during the NCAA selection show on Monday, May 28, at 12pm on ESPNU. Read more.
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Mallue ’09 First Woman to Wear Sapper & Ranger Tabs
Long days of little food and sleep affected every waking moment for CPT Natalie Mallue ‘09, as she neared the end of Third Phase at Ranger School, deep in the murky waters and terrain of Florida's swampy Camp Rudder. But after three months of attending the demanding course and enduring recycle during the final phase, Mallue knew it would soon be over, the grueling days and nights culminating in one crucial thing: the coveted Ranger tab. When Mallue graduated from Fort Benning in April 2017, she became only the sixth female to pass Ranger School and the first to wear both the Ranger and Sapper tabs in the U.S. Army. Full story.
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Obstacle Course Racing Team Sweeps Tri-State Spartan Beast
The West Point Obstacle Course Racing Team (Black and Gold) finished the year competing in the Tri-State Spartan Beast—a 15+ mile race consisting of over 30 obstacles. In their tradition of excellence, they conquered the course. In the Men's 20-24 age group, OCR swept the podium with CDT Ryan Rocca ’20 (1st), CDT Richard Iwuagwu ’19 (2nd), and CDT Ben Jones ’20 (3rd). In addition, Cadet Eva Gould ’19 finished first in Women’s 20-24, and was the third female overall. The performance of all seven OCR racers reflected well on USMA and the Army.
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Stay in Touch with West Point & the Long Gray Line
There’s so much great news about West Point and the Long Gray Line that we often can’t include it all in First Call. But you can make sure you never miss a story; a digest of all the news posted on WPAOG’s website can be delivered directly to your email inbox. Just visit the news page you are interested in and subscribe. The link is right at the top of each page. Grad News is all about the Long Gray Line, and Cadet News highlights the Corps and the Academy.
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The Bob Kenevan ’70 Story
Sometime in early March 2016, Kent Troy ’81 and his wife, Ingrid, went to the Tacoma Trophy store, located outside Joint Base Lewis-McChord, to place an order for a project regarding their West Point class. DJ Brown, the proprietor of this store, recognized the West Point crest and asked if they happened to know a graduate named Bob Kenevan. DJ showed them a Howitzer from the Class of 1970 and 29 medallions that had been ordered by Dr. Bob Kenevan ’70 in November 2014 which were to have been picked up sometime in March 2015. Even though Kenevan had paid for the medallions, he never returned to pick them up, and all attempts to reach him were unsuccessful. DJ and his wife knew how important this project had been to Dr. Kenevan, so they held on to the medallions and the Howitzer in the hope of getting them to the intended classmates. Full story.
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Aviation Club Wins Best Team Title at 5th Annual Inter-Service Academy Competition
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Cadets in the West Point Aviation Club continued a long-standing connection between West Point and flight during the 5th Annual Inter-Service Academy Flying Competition. From producing the first military pilot, the ‘fathers’ of both the Air Force and Army Aviation, numerous astronauts and the key proponents of Air Assault, West Pointers have played a major role in aviation and flight throughout history. The Aviation Club fosters professional growth and interest in aviation through development, training, and flying competitions that are governed by the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA). From April 20-22, USMA cadets hosted their counterparts from the Naval and Coast Guard Academies in a series of written tests, ground events, and flying events to determine the top pilot and best flying team. Cadet Kurt Klinkmueller ’18 took top pilot honors while West Point took the best team title. These types of opportunities are made possible through donor gifts supporting the Margin of Excellence.
2017 Annual Report of Gifts: Thank You!
WPAOG would like to thank all the individuals, organizations, and classes who supported West Point in 2017. Click here to view the online 2017 Annual Report of Gifts, which recognizes our generous donors, and highlights cadets, programs, and projects supported through Margin of Excellence donations. In 2017, our alumni participation rate reached 33%. A critical indicator in determining a university’s annual national ranking, the alumni participation rate helps increase the prestige of the institution while enhancing the development of future leaders. Thank you to all who support West Point.
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Last Call to Register for Alumni Golf Outing
Registration for the 25th Annual Alumni Golf Outing closes June 1. It will be at West Point, June 7-9, 2018. Reconnect with alumni, former classmates, and your alma mater. Registration fee includes two rounds of golf, all meals, a boat cruise, and some great prizes! All graduates and guests are invited to come celebrate a quarter century of great golf at West Point. View Agenda.
Pre-Order Your Design-It-Yourself Hat Now!
Want to create your own USMA hat? Check out our new item, the Design-It-Yourself Hat! Choose from a few options to get the hat exactly how you want it. Details below:
- Step 1: Choose your item - Shield (G109SS) or Classic A (G109SA)
- Step 2: Choose your hat color - Black or Khaki
- Step 3: Choose your back text - USMA, EST 1802, GO ARMY, BEAT NAVY, WEST POINT
OR
- Step 4: Write your own* back text - COMPANY NAME, CLASS MOTTO, NAME & GRAD YEAR, etc.
Order online. Questions? Call the WPAOG Gift Shop - 1.800.426.4725 *nicknames and unrecognizable names cannot be used* Hats will ship in June.
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2018 TAPS
TAPS, the official memorial magazine of the Long Gray Line, contains the fascinating and inspiring life stories of West Point graduates. Pre-order a copy of the 2018 edition online. We are now accepting articles for the 2019 edition. Guidance on submitting articles may be found online or by calling 845.446.1647.
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