On October 27, WPAOG hosted the official ribbon cutting for a new visitors center to serve the Academy and its visitors, named for lead donor Frederic V. Malek ’59. In addition, a significant portion of the funding came from class reunion gifts from Classes of 1972, 1973, 1974, 1978, 1984, 1988, 1990 and 2004. The project also received major commitments from the estate of Margaret A. Zipp, in memory of her husband LTC(R) Charles W. Zipp ’53, and The Boeing Company. The expected public opening is December 2017. When opened, the new 31,000-square-foot Malek West Point Visitors Center will welcome more than 1 million visitors from around the world, sharing the West Point story in a compelling way and inspiring future generations of cadets and leaders. View dedication day photos.

This weekend sees Army West Point football face off against Duke and it’s also Veterans Day, and WPAOG is celebrating. Come join us at Herbert Hall before the game. In addition to our Open House, the WPAOG Gift Shop is excited to have Vineyard Vines tailgating with us from 9am-12pm for our last home game of the season! Stop by for drinks, snacks, exclusive Vineyard Vines giveaways and more! Stay connected and share your memories as they happen with a custom Snapchat filter created just for the event. The Gift Shop will be open from 8am-5pm in Herbert Hall and is always open to serve you online.

The Corps of Cadets celebrated the return of all the Army teams who defeated Air Force last weekend: hockey, men’s and women’s rugby, men's team handball, judo, men's boxing, rabble rousers and football teams. The Army West Point football team blanked service-academy rival Air Force on November 4, with a final score of 21-0. The Black Knights are now one step closer to winning the Commander-in-Chief's trophy, to be decided on December 9 by the outcome of the Army-Navy game.  Go Army! View USMA’s “Air Force - Always the Little Brother” spirit video.

The Veterans online shopping benefit allows veterans to shop all online exchanges beginning on Veterans Day, November 11. The program includes exclusive military pricing, name brand products, tax free shopping and much more! Go to VetVerify.org and submit your verification form today to get started. (Veterans who were discharged with any status other than "honorable" or "general under honorable conditions" are not qualified to access this benefit.)

As part of the Rockbound Highland Home Program, WPAOG is working in partnership with the West Point Department of Emergency Services (DES) to pre-qualify alumni who do not have a DOD identification card for access to West Point. Alumni will be able to bypass lines at the Visitor Control Center (VCC) by filling out a secure online form in advance of a visit, allowing West Point to conduct the background check before arrival. Learn More.

Rock the black-and-gold and party like a Black Knight at WPAOG’s exclusive pre Army-Navy game event. With special appearances by the Cadet Spirit Band, Rabble Rousers and Blackjack the Mascot, this party will be sure to get you fired up for the biggest game of the year! The ‘Beat Navy’ Tailgate will take place on Saturday, December 9th, from 11:30am-2pm. View more details or register now. A special thank you to our corporate sponsors: USAA, NextEra, Mercedes Benz, and Leidos!

Army West Point Football is headed to the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl. The game is December 23 in Fort Worth, TX. Tickets are on sale now, and are available at different price levels and locations. Fans who cannot attend may show their support by participating in the “Donate to a Cadet” program to donate tickets for cadets to attend the game. Fans may purchase tickets online or at the Army West Point Ticket Office near Gate 3 of Michie Stadium. Purchasing your tickets directly from Army Athletics (versus other avenues like the bowl game or secondary ticket market) has the most direct positive impact on our athletic department and cadets.

Col (USAF, R) Kermit Dyke ’40 is West Point’s oldest living graduate, and part of a long line of family members who have served in the military. His son (Robert Dyke ’75) also attended West Point, and his grandson is currently in the Marine Corps. His local paper recently learned more about his career and what West Point means to him. Full Story.

On October 28, Old Grads got to relive the glory of their Army Crew days at the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta while connecting with USMA cadets. Competing in the Alumni Four Events were:Men's Alumni Four: Robert Beale ’02 (Stroke), Robert Davis ’08, Wen Barker ’87, Patrick Linford ’07, CDT Mike McGerty (coxswain) ’20. Men's Alumni Four: Rob McClintock ’94 (Stroke), Jeff Montanari ’96, Tom Babbitt ’99, Troy Schnack ’96, CDT Alanna Appel (coxswain) ’20. Women's Alumni Four: Jessica Ostasewski ’08 (Stroke), Courtney Miller ’09, Darcy Schnack ’96, Kristyn Jones ’93, CDT Honor Fusselman (coxswain) '20. Alumni rowers are now an official rowing club recognized by the U.S. Rowing Association. Go Army! Photos.

The USMA Department of Social Sciences hosted the 69th annual Student Conference on United States Affairs (SCUSA) from November 1-4. The theme this year was, “The Politics of the Forgotten and the Aggrieved: Remaking the World Order?” SCUSA brings USMA cadets together with college students from around the country to discuss the challenges facing the United States. This year’s keynote speaker was Ambassador Douglas Lute ’75, a former U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO.

The Army West Point Orienteering Team traveled to Tuscarora State Forest to compete in the Stockville Adventure Race hosted by Rootstock Racing. This trip marked the second time the team has participated in the Stockville, a two-day land navigation challenge encompassing a total of 50 miles over incredibly dense and hilly terrain utilizing rucksacks to carry any necessary equipment. Overall, the team experienced a total elevation gain of 8,000 feet, and completed a difficult 48-eight mile hike in their respective teams. The winning individual team, the ‘Jungle Cats’, consisted of CDTs Augustine ’19, Fletcher ’21, Myers ’21, and Whalen ’19. They went on to place first in the race’s military category, and place fifth in the overall rankings.

The holiday gift-giving season is approaching, and for those seeking the perfect West Point gift, the time to buy is now. Priced now at only $52.50 – WPAOG’s  most historic publication, and the ultimate West Point reference book, is still available. Entries detail the military careers of every graduate from 1802-2015, along with class crests, mottos, and USMA history. Handsome gold-embossed clothbound vintage design includes custom-designed map endpapers. Visit WPAOG’s Gift Shop online or call 800.426.4725 to order your copy before the holiday rush.