WPSD President's Corner

2017 Leadership Conference Report

2017-09-23T22:27:00.002-06:00

West Point Graduates, Families, and Friends in the Denver Region:

I recently returned from the annual West Point Alumni Leaders Conference (sponsored every year by the Class of ’67). It was a tremendous opportunity to reconnect with West Point and to receive briefings from the Superintendent on down. I’m forwarding a very comprehensive write-up from Stover James, President of the Pikes Peak Society. He did a marvelous job summarizing the many accomplishments and initiatives at the academy. Thanks, Stover!

· The highlight of my trip was the very moving, inspiring, and well-attended (including Army and Air Force dignitaries and the Davis family) dedication of the new General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. Barracks. For those who do not know, building #720 was demolished, and the “mountain was moved” for the new barracks (with many modern amenities, including air conditioning), which look great and a welcome addition to the West Point landscape. General Davis ‘36, son of the first African-American General in the U.S. Army (Benjamin O. Davis, Sr.), was the 4^th African-American to graduate from West Point, and overcame racism (including being silenced in his class, with his own room, dining alone, and only being spoken to in class and official business) to graduate in the first class of Tuskegee Airmen, command the Tuskegee Airmen, and command at the Squadron, Group, Wing, and numbered Air Force levels.

· The Corps, led by Simone Askew, the first female African-American First Captain in West Point history, looked super in the Class of 2021 Acceptance Parade……no fallouts!

· I am proud to inform you that our West Point Society of the Pikes Peak Region (WPSPPR) was named a Distinguished Society again, a recognition that we have won consecutively every year dating back to at least 2006. Many Thanks to all who have made this award possible over the years.

· West Point Athletics/Competitive Clubs:

o National Championships:

§ Cycling/2017

§ Triathlon/2017

§ Judo/2017

§ Karate/2017

§ Men’s Team Handball/2017

§ Women’s Team Handball/2017

§ Men’s Boxing/2017

§ Women’s Boxing/2017

§ Orienteering/2017

§ Pistol/2017

§ Fencing/2017

§ Ethics Debate/2017

o Patriot League/Conference Championships

§ Men’s Tennis/2017

§ Men’s Lacrosse/2017

§ Women’s Tennis/2017

o Other West Point Intercollegiate Athletic/Competitive Club Notable Achievements:

§ .585 overall winning percentage, and Beat Navy in 13 intercollegiate sports

§ West Point AD, Boo Corrigan, was named the National Athletic Director of the Year!

§ Football: 8 wins + Beat Navy + Bowl Win

§ Sprint Football: 300^th Win

§ Men’s and Women’s Rugby: Both were Collegiate 7s Bowl Champions

§ Hockey: Goalie Parker Gahagen set new Army career saves record

§ Ryan Nick Atlantic Hockey Sportsman of the Year

§ Numerous Patriot League Scholar Athletes, Players of the Year, and Rookies of the Year Honors

§ Peter Kim: Patriot League Golfer of the Year and All-American Honorable Mention

§ Swim/Dive, Tennis, and Baseball Coaches won Patriot League Coaches of the Year Honors

§ In addition to the 12 Club National Championships listed above, Army Clubs consistently and overwhelmingly beat Navy

§ Sandhurst Competition: Army Teams placed 1^st(a UK Team often wins), 3rd, and 4^th

· Recent College Rankings:

o Forbes:

§ #2 Public College in the Nation (NOTE: The SUPE said a new category for 2017 - “Social Climate” - e.g.,
“Party School” - hurt West Point……Imagine that!)

§ #9 Liberal Arts College

§ #24 College overall in the Nation

o US News & World Report:

§ #1 in High School Guidance Counselor Ratings

§ #2 Public Liberal Arts College

§ #4 Best Undergrad Engineering Programs

§ #19 Liberal Arts

o Princeton Review:

§ #1 Best Classroom

§ #2 Most Accessible Professors

§ #2 Lots of Race/Class Interaction

§ #4 Everyone Plays Intramurals Sports

§ #4 Best Health Services

§ #5 Best College Library

o College Choice: #14 Best Bachelor’s in Engineering Degree Program (NOTE: USAFA #17; USNA #18)

· Class of 2017: 27 Cadet Scholarship Winners:

o 1 Rhodes Scholar (1^st African-American in West Point history)

o 1 Marshall Scholar

o 5 Schwarzman Scholars

o 2 Yenching Scholars

o 3 Rotary Scholars

o 2 Fulbright Scholars

o 5 Lincoln Lab Scholars

o 5 Draper Scholars

o 2 GEM Scholars Rotary, Schwarzman, Churchill, and other scholarships

o 1 NSF Scholar

o Plus, numerous Class of 2017 Graduates will go to Medical School

· SUPE’s Priorities:

o Leader Development (West Point Vision: The preeminent leader development institution in the world)

§ Honorable Living

§ Sexual Harassment/Assault/Command Climate

§ Winning Culture

§ Diversity

o Force Protection

o New York City (Continue to build our partnership with New York City to enhance cadet development and enrich our connection with the American People)

o BEAT NAVY!

· SUPE’s Additional Comments:

o Security is being tightened as protecting Cadets and Faculty is now a major concern (BTW, many buildings now have swipe card access).

o Ask: Where does mediocrity exist?.....Cadets deserve better; they will lay it on the line.

o Pursuit of Excellence

o Winning IAW Values, not win at all costs.

· West Point now has a Cadet Creed:

“As a future officer, I am committed to the values of Duty, Honor and Country.

I am an aspiring member of the Army Profession, dedicated to serve and earn the trust of the American people.

It is my duty to maintain the honor of the Corps.

I will live above the common level of life, and have the courage to choose the harder right over the easier wrong.

I will live with honor and integrity, scorn injustice, and confront substandard behavior.

I will persevere through adversity and recover from failure.

I will embrace the warrior ethos, and pursue excellence in everything I do.

I am a future officer and a member of the Long Gray Line.”

· The number and type of Academic Individual Advanced Development (AIAD - Study Abroad, Exchange, Cultural Immersion, Research, Internships, Projects, etc. – 1067 cadets, including 422 in 50 foreign countries), Military Individual Advanced Development (MIAD - Sapper, SERE, Airborne, Air Assault, Combat Diver, Jungle, Mountaineering, Commando, etc.) opportunities, both domestic and international, for cadets are truly impressive (Example: I met a Firstie who had a Cow Summer MIAD with the Chilean Mountain Warfare School, and then a Firstie Summer MIAD @ Sandhurst, from which he deployed to Grafenwoehr for live-fire training).

· Class of 2021 (“Until the Battle is Won 2021”) Beast Barracks:

o More physical; more road marches

o More time in field

o Class of 2021 started with 1237 members on R-Day, and lost 27 during Beast Barracks

· Camp Buckner Summer Military Training:

o 4 weeks long for Yearlings. 7.1 mile run back from Camp Buckner at end of training; synchronized so that Yearlings running back from Camp Buckner meet/pass the New Cadets marching out in the opposite direction towards Lake Frederick.

o 2 weeks for Firsties. Camp Buckner 11-Day FTX, modeled after the Camp Darby Phase of Ranger School. Firsties must pass patrols to graduate. 15 Late Grads in the Class of 2017 who had to return to Camp Buckner because they did not pass this graduation requirement the first time.

o Yearlings/Yucks promoted to Corporal

o Cows: August Affirmation Ceremony

o Ring Weekend: Firsties in August; presented @ Trophy Point

· Class of 2020 (very diverse and very high-achieving):

o Women: 24.4% (all-time high)

o African-Americans: 16.7% (all-time high)

o Hispanic-Americans: 9.7%

o Asians-Americans 8.0%

o Soldiers: 6.1%

o Recruited Athletes: 26.7%

· Significant Construction

o As mentioned above, the new Davis Barracks is complete and occupied.

The Foley, Enners, Nathe Lacrosse Center (15,000 square feet; 2 stories; located in the northeast end of Michie Stadium), named for its lead donor, William P. Foley ’67, and for 1LT Raymond J. Enners ’67 and 1LT Michael L. Nathe ’67, both Lacrosse Players who were killed in action serving in Vietnam, is complete, has been dedicated, and is in use.

o Bartlett Hall: 4-year Renovation complete.

o Cullum Hall: Beautiful new Memorial Room renovation, honoring all the West Point Graduates who have fallen in battle, and the 76 West Point Graduates who have been awarded the Medal of Honor.

o Malek Soccer Stadium

o Malek Visitor Center construction ongoing.

o Cadet Barracks Upgrade Program (CBUP): 8-Year Program totaling $643M; Scott and MacArthur Barracks done; will be complete in 2023;

o Longer Term Plans/Project Submissions:

§ Academic Building Upgrade Program (ABUP; like Bartlett Hall renovation): 9-Year Program; 6 buildings, $711M

§ Cyber & Engineering Academic Center (CEAC): $89M; FY19

§ Cemetery: $22M; FY18. BTW, the renovation of the Margaret Corbin site adjacent to the Old Cadet Chapel is complete and looks great; a fitting memorial

§ Parking Structure: $30M; FY20; significant need for parking and Force Protection enhancement.

§ Arvin Annex: vicinity of Shea Stadium and Fieldhouse

· West Point now has a Parents’ Weekend (“Corps Family Weekend”) for all classes (like USAFA); this year it is 20-22 October.

· The West Point Band, the longest continuously serving U.S. Army Music Unit, is celebrating its 200^th anniversary in 2017.

· WPAOG:

o 74,380 Total Graduates 1802-2016; 52,441 Living Graduates from 81 Classes

o Mid-point of the living Long Gray Line is in the Class of 1991; the mid-point of all Graduates since 1802 is in the Class of 1980; many of us may be surprised to realize how far along we are on the “sunset” side of those mid-points.

o Oldest Living Graduate is LTG William J. Ely, ’33 (105 Years Old)

o 139 West Point Societies, including 12 overseas.

o Most engaged alumni of any Service Academy

o WPAOG Goal: Most highly connected alumni body in the world; meaningful engagement that increases affinity; engagement of Grads, Parents, Widows/Widowers, and Cadets

o WPAOG financially strong; sound investments; solid reserves; unwavering stewardship

o >$400M of assets

o Funding Margin of Excellence, Academic, Cultural Enrichment, and Athletic/Competitive Club Programs

o WPAOG has received the highest ratings for charitable organizations:

§ GuideStar: Platinum Award (highest award)

§ Council for Advancement and Support Education (CASE); Only Public Liberal Arts Institution to win the highest CASE Overall Performance and Sustained Excellence Awards.

o Donors:

§ 17,523 donors to date in 2017; 76% Alumni and 24% non-Alumni

§ Current Alumni donor participation rate: 26% of Grads; Goal: 33%

§ Navy: 19.4%

§ College alumni donor participation average: 8.1%

§ Princeton: #1 @ 63%

§ Harvard: 35%

§ 24% Non-Alumni donors:

· 10% parents

· 12% Friends

· 1% Widows

· 1% Others

§ All Academy Challenge: Successful in 2017

· 9.2% of Alumni

· $1,063,674.35 raised

· Alumni participation increased 25% in 2016

· First time donors increased 21% in 2016

o Rockbound Highland Home Program (Grad Pass + Grad Perks + Grad Insider Tours+ Memorabilia/Sales Items)

o Enhanced WPAOG Connect Program in early 2018: mobile and desktop application; search and LinkedIn capabilities; access to WPAOG database; intended to promote professional and social networking

o Recently completed WPAOG/Donor-funded Construction:

§ Foley, Enners, Nathe Lacrosse Center

§ Malek Soccer Stadium

§ Daley Field

§ Goldstein Field

o Future WPAOG/Donor-funded Construction:

§ Arvin Annex (Building #673)

§ Malek Visitor Center

§ Humanities Center

§ Equestrian Center

o Priority Bridge Period Needs:

§ Michie Stadium East Stands

§ Arvin Annex (Building #673)

§ Center for Study of Civil-Military Relations

§ Combating Terrorism Center

§ Center of Humanities

§ Cyber Research Center

§ Army Cyber Institute

§ Academy Scholars Program

§ Semester Abroad

§ Cadet Activities Endowments/Funds

§ Modern War Institute

§ Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives

· WPAOG Strategic Plan based on key upcoming event: 2019 will be the 150th Anniversary of the WPAOG (the WPAOG Sesquicentennial for you Hives). The WPAOG started on 22 May 1869 in New York City. The 1^st annual gathering was 17 June 1870 @ CCNY.

o Nation: 241 Years Old

o Army: 242 Years Old

o West Point: 215 years Old

o WPAOG: 148 Years Old

· WPAOG will start a website to highlight West Point Grad accomplishments day-by-day: 150@wpaog.org (example: Panama Canal project led by George Washington Goethals, West Point Class of 1880, completed 2 years ahead of schedule on 14 August; his Deputies in charge of the Atlantic and Pacific Divisions were West point Class of 1881 Grads). Suggestions for highlights welcomed and solicited.

I was able to watch a couple of ARMY Football practices; very organized/spirited, with lots of energy and optimism from the Brave Old ARMY Team, Coach Monken, and his Staff; 8 returning starters each on offense and defense; the o-line averages 295 lbs.

Go Army! Beat Navy!

Brian MacDonald ‘83

President, West Point Society of Denver

303-915-6126

Brimacd83@gmail.com

2016 Leadership Conference Report

2016-09-27T21:40:00.002-06:00

West Point Alumni, Friends and Families:

Last month I, along with two other Denver Society Board members attended the annual West Point Alumni Leaders Conference (sponsored every year by the Class of ’67). A total of 54 out of approximately 130 worldwide societies were represented, along with 46 class presidents, 24 parents club presidents, 62 Admissions Field Force members, 13 AOG Board members and others for a grand total of about 250 attendees.

Once again as a result of our level of activities and support of West Point, the Denver Society was named a Distinguished Society, something we have achieved for over 25 consecutive years.

The conference opened with a welcome form AOG Chairman Larry Jordan, LTG (Ret). He mentioned the great success of our "For Us All Campaign" which ended last December, raising $420M, $70M more than the campaign goal of $350M. With this and other efforts our AOG is "financially strong...with sound investments and solid reserves". Our AOG is working through a new five year strategic plan, while keeping in mind 150 years of history as the AOG will celebrate its sesquicentennial (150th) anniversary in 2019.

Our new AOG President & CEO, Todd Browne '85, spoke to us about the strategic look ahead. Todd previously served as COO of the AOG, under recently retired Past President Doug McClure '76. Todd stated the focus of AOG is on services to the Long Gray Line, including: 1) the West Point Connect program (expanding IT and other connections from a class and societies focus, to include teams, clubs and other WP interest groups); 2) improving post-military career services; 3) Rockbound Highland Home Program (a more welcoming institution for returning alumni); and 4) increased outreach to cadets, parents and surviving spouses.

The conference also included the usual updates from the Superintendent, Dean and a senior representative form the Commandant's office. Listed below are Conference Highlights, covering other subjects discussed at there conference, including the SUPT's priorities. I must acknowledge my colleague, Stover James '76, President of the Pikes Peak Society, our sister society in Colorado Springs, who meticulously compiled this list of Conference Highlights below. Stover and the Pikes Peak Society have been great partners and team mates as we plan and share joint alumni activities here in Colorado.

Don't miss a list of upcoming Denver activities at the bottom of this e-mail.

CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS:

West Point Athletics/Competitive Clubs:

National Championships:
Sprint Football/2016
Men’s Boxing/2016
Judo/2016
Karate/2016
Tae Kwon Do/2016 Men’s Team Handball/2016
Women’s Team Handball/2016
Women’s Rugby 7’s/2016
Orienteering/2016
Pistol/2016
Speech & Parliamentary Debate/2016
Parachute/2015
Triathlon/2015
Patriot League/Conference Championships
Men’s Tennis
Gymnastics
Men’s Golf
Women’s Basketball
Other West Point Intercollegiate Athletics Notable Achievements:
Best overall winning % in 20 years
Men’s Rugby: USA 7s Bowl Champions
Nissen-Emery Award Winner (the College Gymnastics equivalent of the Heisman Trophy)

Recent College Rankings:

Forbes/2016:
#1 Public College in the Nation
#6 Liberal Arts College
#14 College overall in the Nation (Note: USNA #24, and USAFA #35)
US News & World Report/2015

#2 Public Liberal Arts College

#3 Best Undergrad Engineering Programs
Princeton Review/2015
#1 Most Accessible Professors
#2 Best Health Services
#3 Best College Library
#9 Everyone Plays Intramurals Sports
HP Enterprise Security/2014: #11 in Cybersecurity (Only Service Academy in Top 12)
Business Insider/2015: #13 Best College Campus (Only Service Academy in Top 20)
College Choice/2016: #14 Undergrad Engineering Degree Program (USAFA #17; USNA #18)

· Class of 2016

· 26 Class of 2016 Cadet Scholarship Winners, including 1 Marshall; 3 Fulbright; 7 MIT Lincoln Lab; 2 Draper Lab; 2 GEM; 1 Rotary; 3 Schwarzman; 1 Churchill; 6 Other

· 20 Class of 2016 going to Medical School.

· 5 Women from the Class of 2016 branched Infantry.

· SUPE’s Priorities:

· Leader Development (Preeminent leader development institution in the world)

· Honorable Living

· Sexual Harassment/Assault/Command Climate

· Winning Culture

· Diversity

· Standards and Discipline

· Force Protection

· New York City (Continue to build our partnership with New York City to enhance cadet development and enrich our connection with the American People)

· BEAT NAVY!

· · SUPE’s Additional Comments:

· Security is being tightened as protecting Cadets and Faculty is now a major concern (BTW, many buildings now have swipe card access).

· Ask: Where does mediocrity exist?.....Cadets deserve better; they will lay it on the line.

· Pursuit of Excellence

· Winning IAW Values, not win at all costs.

· West Point now has a Cadet Creed:

“As a future officer, I am committed to the values of Duty, Honor and Country.

I am an aspiring member of the Army Profession, dedicated to serve and earn the trust of the American people.

It is my duty to maintain the honor of the Corps.

I will live above the common level of life, and have the courage to choose the harder right over the easier wrong.

I will live with honor and integrity, scorn injustice, and confront substandard behavior.

I will persevere through adversity and recover from failure.

I will embrace the warrior ethos, and pursue excellence in everything I do.

I am a future officer and a member of the Long Gray Line.”

The number and type of Academic Individual Advanced Development (AIAD - Study Abroad, Exchange, Cultural Immersion, Research, Internships, Projects, etc.), Military Individual Advanced Development (MIAD - Sapper, SERE, Airborne, Air Assault, Combat Diver, Jungle, Mountaineering, Commando, etc.) opportunities, both domestic and international, for cadets are truly impressive.
Class of 2020 Beast Barracks:
Tougher this year; attrition higher
New Cadets spend 2 WEEKS in the field @ Lake Frederick.
PT: 7 days/week
Camp Buckner Summer Military Training:
4 weeks long for Yearlings. 7.5 mile run back from Camp Buckner at end of training; synchronized so that Yearlings running back from Camp Buckner meet/pass the New Cadets marching out in the opposite direction towards Lake Frederick.
3 weeks for Firsties. 18-day FTX, modeled after the Camp Darby Phase of Ranger School. Firsties must pass patrols to graduate. There have been late grads who had to return to Camp Buckner because they did not pass this graduation requirement the first time.
Biggest change in military training @ West Point: How much cadets are actually in charge.
West Point Centers
21 Research Centers
2 Partnered Research Centers
Class of 2020 (very diverse and very high-achieving):
14,830 Applicants
4,103 Nominated
2,520 Qualified
1290 Admitted (8.7% of Applicants)
SAT Average: 1264
ACT Average: 28
119 Valedictorians
113 Class Presidents
840 Team Captains
Women: 21.8%
African-Americans: 14%
Hispanic-Americans: 9.4%
Asians-Americans 9.1%
Soldiers: 6%
Recruited Athletes: 19.7%
10 Combat Veterans
15 International Cadets
Significant on-going construction
The $165M new Davis Barracks (Building #720 is gone; changes the landscape) is projected to be completed by December.
$150M renovation of other barracks after Davis Barracks is ready for occupancy.
Lacrosse Center scheduled for completion this month (August 2016)
Bartlett Hall: 4-year renovation plan
Cullum Hall: Beautiful new Memorial Room renovation, honoring all the West Point Graduates who have fallen in battle, and the 74 West Point Graduates who have been awarded the Medal of Honor.
Prep work has started on the new Malek Visitor Center; Groundbreaking next month (September 2016)
Numerous required/needed infrastructure improvements
Longer Term:
Malek Soccer Stadium
Academic Building Upgrade Program
Multi-Purpose Academic Center
Army Cyber Institute (Spellman Hall)
West Point now has a Parents’ Weekend for all classes (like USAFA); this year it is 21-23 October.
Very impressive brief and work by the West Point Combating Terrorism Center (CTC).

· Very impressive brief and work by the West Point Center for the Advancement of Leader Development and Organizational Learning, including the Cadet Learning Challenge Program.

WPAOG:
73,395 Total Graduates 1802-2016; 51,922 Living Graduates from 81 Classes.
Mid-point of the living Long Gray Line is in the Class of 1990; the mid-point of all Graduates since 1802 is in the Class of 1979; many of us may be surprised to realize how far along we are on the “sunset” side of those mid-points.
Oldest Living Graduate is LTG William J. Ely, ’33 (104 Years Old).
139 West Point Societies, including 12 overseas.
Highly successful For US All Fundraising Campaign!
$420M raised, 120% of $350M Goal
Endowment grew 153%
61% of donations were restricted; 39% unrestricted for use by SUPE.
Donors
63% Grads
17% Friends
16% Parents
3% Widows
1% Corps of Cadets/Other
All Academy Challenge (Annual Service Academy Fundraising Challenge Competition):
$150K Donated to West Point
7.4% Grads Donated
14% First-Time Donors
WPAOG Status/Way Ahead
Financially Strong
Sound Investments
Solid Reserves
Endowment: $233M
Total financial portfolio under WPAOG management: $311M
Want to build on momentum from highly successful For US All Campaign.
WPAOG Strategic Plan based on one key upcoming event: 2019 will be the 150th Anniversary of the WPAOG (the WPAOG Sesquicentennial for you Hives). The WPAOG started on 22 May 1869 in New York City.
Nation: 240 Years Old
Army: 241 Years Old
West Point: 214 years Old
WPAOG: 147 Years Old
Priorities/Areas of Emphasis:
Make ”The Grip” stronger
Continue the momentum of philanthropy
Career Services
Support of Societies
Memorial Services Support
Reunion Support
“Rockbound Highland Home” Program
WPAOG needs to touch all Grads more; Connect/Outreach Programs with Cadets, Parents; Widows; Widowers; Non-Class/Shared Graduate Interest Groups (e.g., Grad Groups in addition to Class Years, such as the strong Glee Club Network)
WPAOG GOAL: Most highly-connected Alumni Body in the world through meaningful engagement that increases affinity.

2016 Leadership Conference Report

2016-09-27T21:40:00.001-06:00

West Point Alumni, Friends and Families:

Once again as a result of our level of activities and support of West Point, the Denver Society was named a Distinguished Society, something we have achieved for over 25 consecutive years.

Don't miss a list of upcoming Denver activities at the bottom of this e-mail.

CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS:

West Point Athletics/Competitive Clubs:

National Championships:
Sprint Football/2016
Men’s Boxing/2016
Judo/2016
Karate/2016
Tae Kwon Do/2016 Men’s Team Handball/2016
Women’s Team Handball/2016
Women’s Rugby 7’s/2016
Orienteering/2016
Pistol/2016
Speech & Parliamentary Debate/2016
Parachute/2015
Triathlon/2015
Patriot League/Conference Championships
Men’s Tennis
Gymnastics
Men’s Golf
Women’s Basketball
Other West Point Intercollegiate Athletics Notable Achievements:
Best overall winning % in 20 years
Men’s Rugby: USA 7s Bowl Champions
Nissen-Emery Award Winner (the College Gymnastics equivalent of the Heisman Trophy)

Recent College Rankings:

Forbes/2016:
#1 Public College in the Nation
#6 Liberal Arts College
#14 College overall in the Nation (Note: USNA #24, and USAFA #35)
US News & World Report/2015

#2 Public Liberal Arts College

#3 Best Undergrad Engineering Programs
Princeton Review/2015
#1 Most Accessible Professors
#2 Best Health Services
#3 Best College Library
#9 Everyone Plays Intramurals Sports
HP Enterprise Security/2014: #11 in Cybersecurity (Only Service Academy in Top 12)
Business Insider/2015: #13 Best College Campus (Only Service Academy in Top 20)
College Choice/2016: #14 Undergrad Engineering Degree Program (USAFA #17; USNA #18)

· Class of 2016

· 26 Class of 2016 Cadet Scholarship Winners, including 1 Marshall; 3 Fulbright; 7 MIT Lincoln Lab; 2 Draper Lab; 2 GEM; 1 Rotary; 3 Schwarzman; 1 Churchill; 6 Other

· 20 Class of 2016 going to Medical School.

· 5 Women from the Class of 2016 branched Infantry.

· SUPE’s Priorities:

· Leader Development (Preeminent leader development institution in the world)

· Honorable Living

· Sexual Harassment/Assault/Command Climate

· Winning Culture

· Diversity

· Standards and Discipline

· Force Protection

· New York City (Continue to build our partnership with New York City to enhance cadet development and enrich our connection with the American People)

· BEAT NAVY!

· · SUPE’s Additional Comments:

· Security is being tightened as protecting Cadets and Faculty is now a major concern (BTW, many buildings now have swipe card access).

· Ask: Where does mediocrity exist?.....Cadets deserve better; they will lay it on the line.

· Pursuit of Excellence

· Winning IAW Values, not win at all costs.

· West Point now has a Cadet Creed:

“As a future officer, I am committed to the values of Duty, Honor and Country.

I am an aspiring member of the Army Profession, dedicated to serve and earn the trust of the American people.

It is my duty to maintain the honor of the Corps.

I will live above the common level of life, and have the courage to choose the harder right over the easier wrong.

I will live with honor and integrity, scorn injustice, and confront substandard behavior.

I will persevere through adversity and recover from failure.

I will embrace the warrior ethos, and pursue excellence in everything I do.

I am a future officer and a member of the Long Gray Line.”

The number and type of Academic Individual Advanced Development (AIAD - Study Abroad, Exchange, Cultural Immersion, Research, Internships, Projects, etc.), Military Individual Advanced Development (MIAD - Sapper, SERE, Airborne, Air Assault, Combat Diver, Jungle, Mountaineering, Commando, etc.) opportunities, both domestic and international, for cadets are truly impressive.
Class of 2020 Beast Barracks:
Tougher this year; attrition higher
New Cadets spend 2 WEEKS in the field @ Lake Frederick.
PT: 7 days/week
Camp Buckner Summer Military Training:
4 weeks long for Yearlings. 7.5 mile run back from Camp Buckner at end of training; synchronized so that Yearlings running back from Camp Buckner meet/pass the New Cadets marching out in the opposite direction towards Lake Frederick.
3 weeks for Firsties. 18-day FTX, modeled after the Camp Darby Phase of Ranger School. Firsties must pass patrols to graduate. There have been late grads who had to return to Camp Buckner because they did not pass this graduation requirement the first time.
Biggest change in military training @ West Point: How much cadets are actually in charge.
West Point Centers
21 Research Centers
2 Partnered Research Centers
Class of 2020 (very diverse and very high-achieving):
14,830 Applicants
4,103 Nominated
2,520 Qualified
1290 Admitted (8.7% of Applicants)
SAT Average: 1264
ACT Average: 28
119 Valedictorians
113 Class Presidents
840 Team Captains
Women: 21.8%
African-Americans: 14%
Hispanic-Americans: 9.4%
Asians-Americans 9.1%
Soldiers: 6%
Recruited Athletes: 19.7%
10 Combat Veterans
15 International Cadets
Significant on-going construction
The $165M new Davis Barracks (Building #720 is gone; changes the landscape) is projected to be completed by December.
$150M renovation of other barracks after Davis Barracks is ready for occupancy.
Lacrosse Center scheduled for completion this month (August 2016)
Bartlett Hall: 4-year renovation plan
Cullum Hall: Beautiful new Memorial Room renovation, honoring all the West Point Graduates who have fallen in battle, and the 74 West Point Graduates who have been awarded the Medal of Honor.
Prep work has started on the new Malek Visitor Center; Groundbreaking next month (September 2016)
Numerous required/needed infrastructure improvements
Longer Term:
Malek Soccer Stadium
Academic Building Upgrade Program
Multi-Purpose Academic Center
Army Cyber Institute (Spellman Hall)
West Point now has a Parents’ Weekend for all classes (like USAFA); this year it is 21-23 October.
Very impressive brief and work by the West Point Combating Terrorism Center (CTC).

· Very impressive brief and work by the West Point Center for the Advancement of Leader Development and Organizational Learning, including the Cadet Learning Challenge Program.

WPAOG:
73,395 Total Graduates 1802-2016; 51,922 Living Graduates from 81 Classes.
Mid-point of the living Long Gray Line is in the Class of 1990; the mid-point of all Graduates since 1802 is in the Class of 1979; many of us may be surprised to realize how far along we are on the “sunset” side of those mid-points.
Oldest Living Graduate is LTG William J. Ely, ’33 (104 Years Old).
139 West Point Societies, including 12 overseas.
Highly successful For US All Fundraising Campaign!
$420M raised, 120% of $350M Goal
Endowment grew 153%
61% of donations were restricted; 39% unrestricted for use by SUPE.
Donors
63% Grads
17% Friends
16% Parents
3% Widows
1% Corps of Cadets/Other
All Academy Challenge (Annual Service Academy Fundraising Challenge Competition):
$150K Donated to West Point
7.4% Grads Donated
14% First-Time Donors
WPAOG Status/Way Ahead
Financially Strong
Sound Investments
Solid Reserves
Endowment: $233M
Total financial portfolio under WPAOG management: $311M
Want to build on momentum from highly successful For US All Campaign.
WPAOG Strategic Plan based on one key upcoming event: 2019 will be the 150th Anniversary of the WPAOG (the WPAOG Sesquicentennial for you Hives). The WPAOG started on 22 May 1869 in New York City.
Nation: 240 Years Old
Army: 241 Years Old
West Point: 214 years Old
WPAOG: 147 Years Old
Priorities/Areas of Emphasis:
Make ”The Grip” stronger
Continue the momentum of philanthropy
Career Services
Support of Societies
Memorial Services Support
Reunion Support
“Rockbound Highland Home” Program
WPAOG needs to touch all Grads more; Connect/Outreach Programs with Cadets, Parents; Widows; Widowers; Non-Class/Shared Graduate Interest Groups (e.g., Grad Groups in addition to Class Years, such as the strong Glee Club Network)
WPAOG GOAL: Most highly-connected Alumni Body in the world through meaningful engagement that increases affinity.

WEST POINT ALUMNI LEADERS CONFERENCE

2015-09-12T16:33:00.001-06:00

The following was reported by the WPSDenver Board President, R Walcott:

Our Academy is standing tall and looking good. The Staff, Faculty and Cadets I spoke to were impressive and remain committed to keeping West Point the preeminent leadership development institution in the world.

1. I am pleased to report that the activity level of the West Point Society of Denver once again earned for us the designation as a Distinguished Society, one of 63 Distinguished Societies out of a total of 142 worldwide.

2. AOG Chairman, LTG (Ret) Larry Jordan '68, spoke to us, highlighting the success of the For Us ALL fund raising campaign (details below) and unequivocally stated that our Association of Graduates is financially sound.

3. AOG President Bob McClure '76, COL (Ret), provided many interesting facts about alumni, (some listed below) and described the costs and challenges of funding an endowment. The AOG's endowment currently totals about $300MM, divided into two major funds: a West Point Fund providing support for "margin of excellence" and other needs validated by the Superintendent; and a second Fund used by the AOG to support alumni activities and events validated by AOG's Board of Directors (included publications, Herbert Hall and reunion activities, among others). The overall cost of AOG's fund raising efforts is about 12% of contributed funds, with a goal of lowering that to 10% by 2019. This compares to fund administrative costs of 14% for the USO; 16.7% for Wounded Warrior Project; 21.4 for ACS and Navy at 32.3%!. Overall 56% of graduates have contributed financial to the academy, with last year coming in at 32%, as compared to 22% for Navy and 15% for USAFA. The gold standard is Princeton at 60%. Harvard is at 35%. Regular AOG Income is sourced as follows: 40% Long Gray Line Endowment; 28% Gift Shop; 10% Affinity programs; 22% Other (SACC; publications, etc.). Plans are in the making for a 2019 sesquicentennial (150 year) celebration of the founding of AOG.

4. Superintendent LTG Bob Caslen '75 spoke about the USMA Strategic Plan for 2015-2021 while highlighting his priorities, which are:

· Sexual Harassment/Assault/Command Climate

· Honorable Living

· Winning Culture

· Diversity

· Force Protection (new priority from last year)

· New York City (Continue to build our partnership with New York City to enhance cadet development and enrich our connection with the American People. I see West Point cadets often participating at Yankee games and other Yankee Stadium events)

· Beat Navy!

5. FOR US ALL CAMPAIGN: The AOG's multiyear fund raising campaign, which ends in December 2015, has been a great success. With a goal of $350MM the campaign has raised $389.9MM so far and will likely top out at over $400MM.

6. CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES: West Point is in year 3 of a $650MM 9 year building program. The renovation of Scott Barracks (Lost 50s) is completed and the renovation of Bartlett Hall is nearing completion. The new barracks being built on the hill where building 720 was located, has been named the GEN Benjamin O. Davis ('36) Barracks and will be occupied by cadets by the second semester of the 2016-17 academic year. The Academy will be breaking ground soon for a new Visitors Center. Future construction includes renovation of the remaining barracks, an Arvin Gym Annex near Target Hill Field, a Lacrosse Center and a new Army Cyber Institute.

7. As one drives through Thayer Gate, or any of the gates at West Point, one is greeted by a sign that reflects West Point’s top successes in sports and competitive clubs:

A. NATIONAL CHAMPIONS:

· 2014: PARACHUTE

· 2014: TRIATHLON

· 2015: FENCING

· 2015: JUDO

· 2015: MEN'S TEAM HANDBALL

· 2015: ORIENTEERING

· 2015: PISTOL

· 2015: WOMEN'S RUGBY 7'S

· 2015: WOMEN'S TEAM HANDBALL

B. PATRIOT LEAGUE CHAMPIONS:

· 2014: MEN'S RUGBY

· 2015: GYMNASTICS

· MEN'S TENNIS

8. FYI, USA Today published an article on 11 August ranking the official logos of each of the 300+ professional and college sports teams in the United States, and the new Army West Point Helmet-Sword-Star-Shield Logo was ranked 12^th. The Texas Longhorns and the Kansas Jayhawks logos were the only college logos ranked higher than West Point.

9. Recent College Rankings:

A. US News & World Report

· #2 Public Liberal Arts College

· #3 Best Undergrad Engineering Programs

B. Forbes:

· #1 Public College in the Nation

· #1 Best Value

· #11 #Overall College in the Nation (Note: USNA was #27, USAFA was #38, and USCGA was #101).

C. Princeton Review

· #1 Most Accessible Professors

· #2 Health Services

· #3 Library

· Everyone plays Intramurals

D. Other rankings

· Top 10 Cyber Program

· Top 10 Business Program

10. Post-Graduate Scholarships (rankings for total all-time awards):

· #5 in Rhodes Scholarships

· #4 Hertz Scholarships

· #6 Truman Scholarships

· #7 Marshall Scholarships

11. The First Captain, Eugene (“EJ”) Coleman from Mount Vernon High School in Alexandria, Virginia, is also the Class President. He is only the 3^rd Cadet to hold both positions of First Captain and Class President. The other two were John J. Pershing (USMA 1886) and Pete Dawkins (USMA 1959).

12. The numerous Academic Individual Advanced Development (AIAD; 720 in CONUS and 322 OCONUS in numerous countries this summer), Military Individual Advanced Development (MIAD; 1090 Cadets this summer, including 73 international schools, mountaineering, scuba, combat diver, French Commando, Brazil & Republic of Georgia mountaineering schools, etc.), Internship, Semester Abroad, Cultural Immersion, Research, etc., enrichment opportunities available for cadets are truly impressive and extensive. Our cadets are taking advantage of tremendous experiences and are compiling extraordinary accomplishments around the world, while serving as exemplary ambassadors for our Alma Mater.

13. The Class of 2015 led the cadet effort to develop a Cadet Creed (patterned after the Soldier, NCO, and Ranger Creeds), which is now in Bugle Notes.

14. Class of 2019 (most diverse in history and very high-achieving):

· 22% Women (all-time high; Women applicants are up 59% in past 5 years).

· 34+% Minority (all-time high)

· 15% African-American (all-time high; African-American applicants are up 23% in past 5 years).

· 11.4% Hispanic

· 7.8% Asian-American

· 6.5% (82) Soldiers

· 1263 Admitted

· 17 International Cadets

15. Military Training:

· Intensive Combat Survival Swimming Course for all Yearlings; significantly more than just “Bob & Travel” and the 10-Meter Board (1.5 meter waves; darkness; strobe lights; fog on the water; noise; obstacles, etc.)

· Camp Buckner is ½ as long for Yearlings. Cadet Field Training and a 7.5 mile run at the end of Camp Buckner.

· The other half of Camp Buckner Summer Training is a Ranger/RECONDO type training for Firsties, all in the field (Cadet Leader Development Training). Firsties must pass patrols to graduate. There will probably be 2 late Grads for the Class of 2016 who still must pass patrols at Camp Buckner next summer.

· Indoor Obstacle Course: Every year; must pass to graduate.

16. Other expanding major initiatives/centers;

· Combating Terrorism Center

· Cyber/Future Warfare

· Center for the Study of Civil-Military Relations

· Cadet Semester Abroad Program

17. Now have a Parents Weekend for All cadets (like USAFA), scheduled for the 9-11 October Football Game Weekend. This is in addition to the traditional Plebe Parent weekend.

18. Thanksgiving Break is 25-29 November (cadets can leave after last duty on Tuesday).

19. Army Football:

· Only 6 returning starters from last year.

· 77 of 136 players are Plebes.

· I watched a practice and the first full scrimmage with officials, clock, etc., on Saturday, 15 August; The Players and Coaches are working hard.

20. WPAOG

· 51,358 Living Graduates in the Long Gray Line

· 72,412 total Graduates in the Long Gray Line.

· The mid-point of the living Long Gray Line is the Class of 1989.

· The mid-point of the entire Long Gray Line is the Class of 1978.

· The oldest Grad is Class of ‘33 (103 Years Old).

I must acknowledge my colleague Stover James '76, President of the West Point Society of Pikes Peak, for authoring items 7-20 above.

President's Report: WEST POINT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE UPDATE

2014-08-27T21:09:00.000-06:00

Denver Area West Point Graduates, Family & Friends:

As President of the West Point Society of Denver, I was privileged to attend the annual West Point Alumni Leaders Conference (sponsored by the Class of ’67) 13-16 August 2014. About 150 attendees representing over 60 societies, 50 classes, AOG Directors/Advisors/staff, Parents Club Presidents and Admissions Field Force participants were immersed in three days of all things USMA, including updates from the AOG Chairman, AOG President, SUPE, Dean, Director of Admissions and Director of Cadet Activities. The new COM was given a stayback, since he had only reported to West Point two days earlier.

I have attached the SUPE's presentation slides for anyone interested in more details. In addition, I am pleased to report the following summary of Leadership Conference news:

1. DISTINGUSIED SOCIETY - As a result of our numerous activities and substantial admissions work, the Denver Society was once again selected as a Distinguished Society, a distinction earned each year since before the earliest memories of existing Society Directors.

2. SIZE OF THE CORPS - Despite the dramatic drawdown going on throughout the military, and unlike USAFA, at this time there are no plans to reduce the size of the Corps from its current full strength of 4,400.

3. SIGNIFICANT CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY - An amazing amount of activity is still taking place at USMA, despite painful budget cuts throughout the Army. Some projects, determined to be a military necessity, are funded by DOA and others by contributions to AOG:

A. $165M new barracks in place of the old Building 720 (boodlers for really old grads) - in process;

B. $150M renovation of Scott Barracks (Lost 50s) - in process;

C. New steam pipes through much of the system - Central Area is all torn up.

D. New Visitors Center to break ground soon - to be attached to the Museum.

E. Arvin Gym Annex - near the old Field House, for use by teams that compete below the Plain.

F. Bartlett Hall - the renovation is more than half completed;

G. Cullum Hall - a new Memorial ("Valhalla") Room, listing all grads KIA'd by War/Campaign;

4. CYBER WAR INSTITUTE - The Army is in the process of creating a Cyber War Institute at West Point, to be staffed by 70 employees. In addition, the Army is standing up a new Cyber Warfare Branch, the first six officers of which are all West Pointers.

5. FUND RAISING: The AOG's "For All Of Us" campaign has already reached its $350M goal and still has through December 2015 to go. 52% of the Long Gray Line has participated so far. The SUPE and AOG leadership are encouraging us not to stop and be all that we an be.

6. ATHLETICS - We know we have a football problem, but we can celebrate the following:

A. 11 reigning National Champions: Sprint Football (undefeated); Men’s Boxing; Women’s Boxing; Fencing; Judo; Karate; Orienteering (12^th consecutive year); Men’s Team Handball (8^th consecutive year); Women’s Team Handball; Parachute; and Triathlon

B. In addition, West Point won the Patriot League Championships in Baseball, Men’s Tennis, and Women’s Basketball; achieved a 18-13 record vs. Navy; the Men’s Soccer Team earned its first post-season bid since 1996; the Lacrosse Team was ranked #20; and, West Point won the highly competitive annual NSA Cyber (One of the Dean’s Teams) Competition.

C West Point Club Teams beat Navy and Air Force 80% of the time.

D. The Army Rugby Team is back on the field as a NCAA varsity sport;

E. A Women's Lacrosse Team is standing up.

7. SUPE's LEADERSHIP PRIORITIES -

A. Sexual Harassment/Assault;

B. Honorable Living;

C. Winning Culture;

D. Diversity (The SUPE has established an Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunity)

E. Leader Development;

F. New York City Area Integration/Partnership;

G. Beat Navy

8. SUPE's STRATEGIC VISION/PRIORITIES:

A. Academy Scholars Program;

B. Athletic Team Endowments;

C. Center for the Study of Civil-Military Operations;

D. Cyber Research Center;

E. Cadet Activities:

F. Diversity Initiatives;

G. Lacrosse Center;

H. Cadet Semester Abroad;

I. Visitors Center;

J. Arvin Gym Annex.

9. ADMISSIONS - The Admissions Office is working hard to rebuild the Military Academy Liaison Officer program. From a low of 9 serving reservists throughout the nation, we are back up to over two dozen, with about another 70 prospect in line. The Class of 2018 was the most diverse ever:

A. 1212 Admitted (8% of Applicants)

B. SAT Average: 1270

C Women: 21.8% (up from 15.9%)

D. African-Americans: 13.9% (up from 9.5%)

E. Hispanics: 10.1%

F. Asians: 7.8%

G. 17 Combat Veterans

10. AOG TRIVIA -

A. 2019 is WPAOG's 150^th Anniversary - formed on 22 May 1869 in New York City;

B. 71,371 Total Graduates; 50,736 Living Graduates.

C. Mid-point of the living Long Gray Line is in the Class of 1988; the Mid-Point of all West Point Graduates since 1802 is in the Class of 1978.

D. Oldest Living Graduate is BG Robert Tripp, ’33 (102 Years Old)

E. New Register of Graduates due in December 2015 (1802-2015) - in print or electronic.

As always, it was good to return to West Point and be inspired by the accomplishments of our institution and reinvigorated by its values and ethos. My next communication will cover upcoming Society activities for the fall and winter.

Let this be the year that we BEAT NAVY.

Bob Walcott '78

President, West Point Society of Denver

303-727-8400

walcott78@aol.com

February 2011

2011-02-12T11:05:00.000-07:00

President's Corner By Sam Thiessen '73
The beginning of 2011 has been somewhat of an emotional roller coaster ride, at least as I see it. As "military types," we're not (or were not) supposed to talk about our emotions. But that's going to be the topic of my message here. The end of 2010 was a happy time for most of us, as it usually is with the Holidays and all, even with the continuing economic recession. We soon found the relative calm of the Season shattered with the news of fellow graduate, John "Jack" Wheeler '66. He was murdered in Delaware, with his body found in a landfill the morning of December 30th. I knew Jack Wheeler, having met him when I was stationed in the D.C. area in the mid-1980s. Though I could not say we were close, I think most people who knew Jack would like to say they were his friend. As his classmate, retired Major General Bob Scales, said, Jack was a very empathetic person, and that he was. Jack made whoever he was around feel like their view was worth listening to. And in my experience, he always recognized the dignity of all, and especially the least among us. That being said, I can't say that I always agreed with Jack Wheeler. This is not something particularly remarkable, and others certainly disagreed with him as well. Older grads will recall the controversy surrounding the building of the Vietnam War Memorial. Jack was the chief fundraiser for the project, and as such he fell under criticism as the selected design of the memorial came to be described as "a gash in the
ground." I recall some describing it as an "ugly" gash. While my own opinion was reserved on the matter, I tended to think that a more traditional design was in order. At this point, however, I think that most who have been to the Vietnam War Memorial would agree that it is the right design; giving total respect to those who gave their all in the conflict, while capturing an element of the confusion in this country that accompanied the war. Perhaps as a gesture to the traditional inclinations of myself and others, human figures were later added to the memorial. I would have settled for "the gash," but think the figures enhance it. Speaking of confusion, when 2011 was barely a week old, another terrible event: the mass shooting in Tucson at the constituent event held by U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords. The representative survived the attack, though gravely injured. Unfortunately, six people were killed, and the Nation mourns the tragedy. I guess the point that I'm trying to make is one that is best left as simple emotion, and not too clearly drawn out by analysis. Doing so would necessarily require dividing up the issues, with which people would take sides. I don't think it's my role as president of the West Point Society of Denver to draw such distinctions. But I do think it's the president's role to recognize that these distinctions exist and, when appropriate, to provide the society membership broad, basic observations around which consensus, or disagreement, can develop. The role of West Point Societies in the Long Gray Line is "evolving," just as the role of West Point and all service academies is evolving in meeting the needs of our Nation's military. Whether we like it or not, things are always changing, even when they're not. Which is to say, if something is not changing, it will be left behind in the change that surrounds it. Hopefully, our good faith efforts to change, while keeping the good that already exists, will continue to guide us aright. In all likelihood, this will be my last President's Corner. By convention, the WPSD President serves for three years, and believe me, I'm all for it. As my predecessor, Chuck Jones '68, pointed out as he passed the baton to me in 2008, "By the time the third year comes around, you know what you're doing and (hopefully) doing it well. But you're also ready to move on." Well, I am. Having been at the head of a number of volunteer organizations, I can say that this one is as demanding as it gets. I do not regret it in the slightest, and, indeed, have found it to be most fulfilling - truly an honor and a pleasure to be the top representative of such a distinguished organization. As a Life Member of the West Point Society of Denver, I look forward to continuing to serve this organization and the Long Gray Line for, well, the rest of my life.
Just to let you know, I'm not giving up the presidency tomorrow. As it works, the Vice President is typically the "president-elect." Though this convention is not formalized in our by-laws, it serves us well that we abide by it without denying the flexibility to modify it in extraordinary cases. And just to let you know further, Vice President Lindy Blackburn '69, is someone you should look forward to as the next President of the WPSD. Per our by-laws, Lindy will be in all likelihood elected by the next duly elected board of the Society to this position. (He's definitely got my vote!) The next board is elected at our next Founders Day Dinner celebration - Saturday, 5 March 2011. The board votes for new officers at the first meeting following the FD Dinner, probably late-March or in April, and those elected assume their positions immediately. So, I started with emotion, and I'll end with it, recalling that "there's no crying in baseball." I used to think that about the military, when I was much younger. A good friend of mine, Rennie Cory, received the DSC for acts of valor while serving in the Korean War. For those who remember, he was part of Task Force Smith. I told him that I regretted having been commissioned in 1973, and not being involved in Vietnam. Rennie said, "No you don't." He assured me that there was a lot of crying in war. I think those who are sacrificing in the low-intensity, but lasting war we are currently fighting understand this, too. God Bless them all as they fight to protect the rest of us from a broader conflict.

September 2010

2010-09-08T11:10:00.001-06:00

The theme of this year’s Association of Graduates Alumni Leaders Conference, held August 11-14 at West Point, was “Engaging Every Heart in Gray.” Communications is always an area of emphasis at these conferences, which are sponsored by the Class of 1967, but this year’s was particularly focused on reaching out to the full spectrum of graduates.

Generational differences and social media were addressed early in the conference, and these two subjects tended to be woven throughout the rest of the conference; Prof;Michael Meeks of San Francisco State University pointed to studies that show attitude differences between generations and how leadership and work ethic differ between generations.

While the basic premise of Dr. Meeks’ presentation was hardly new, it took on an added dimension when coupled with the ongoing social media revolution resulting from the use of personal computers and smart phone communications. LTC Brian Tribus ’92, West Point Director of Communications, made it clear that cadets take full advantage of this new technology.

I suspect that many of us who graduated before 1990, and even some after, find the social media revolution a bit foreign, if not uncomfortable. An insightful observation by Dr. Meeks, which has also been observed by our Commander in Chief, is that technology can interfere with our ability to focus on things that really matter, and “make us stupid.” Old grads, especially, seemed to like hearing this.

Our lunch speakers also addressed communications and social media. COL MaryAnn Cummings ’82, Commander, Defense Media Activity – Army, talked about engaging soldiers and their families through media on Thursday. Friday’s lunch speaker, LTC Pete Kilner ’90 shared his experiences in using social media to begin an online leadership forum for company commanders and platoon leaders while in-theater. This exchange of “best practices” in real time allowed the immediate application of shared knowledge and techniques in the field, saving lives.

The Commandant, BG Bill Rapp ‘84, discussed the state of military training for the Corps of Cadet and introduced a panel of officers from the Tactical Department. The Dean, COL(P) Tim Trainor ’83, discussed the upcoming academic year and introduced a panel of academic department heads. Both panels fielded questions from the conference attendees.

The Chairman of the AOG Board of Directors, Jodie Glore ’69, and AOG Executive Director Bob McClure ’76 were present throughout the conference. Chairman & Glore pointed out that this was the first Leader’s Conference at which the entire membership of the Board of Directors and all Class and Regional Society Advisors were present.

Fundraising for West Point and the AOG was not ignored. West Point Director of Academy Advancement, COL Todd Browne ’85 and AOG Vice President of Development, Kristin Sorenson, discussed the ongoing “For Us All” campaign that sets specific fundraising goals for West Point and the AOG.

It was interesting to learn that the AOG is the only organization authorized to raise funds for USMA, and in this regard its role is different than alumni organizations of the other service academies. AOG Executive Director, Bob McClure ’76, noted that steps had been taken to prevent the reduction of federal dollars as fundraising increased. AOG Chairman of the Board of Directors, Jodie Glore ’69, pointed out that the types of activities for which most donated funds are used are not part of the budget that is federally funded.

The most spirited discussion of the conference occurred while discussing admission. The Director of Admissions, COL Deborah McDonald, presented the Academy’s program for recruiting the best candidates for West Point. It was observed that the country is experiencing a crisis in regard to education for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), but COL McDonald assured us that this was not causing a problem in recruiting and getting qualified candidates.; A conference attendee asked that if standards were being lowered to meet recruiting goals, and COL McDonald said that they were not. However, she also noted that there was a sliding scale when it came to meeting diversity goals.

We then broke out into recruiting regions. MAJ Mark R. McClellan is the Commander for the Southwest Region in which Colorado is located.; With the draw down in the Military Academy Liaison Officer (MALO) program, more is being ask of grads and societies to provide volunteers in recruiting for USMA.; He can be reached at 845-938-5717 or Mark.McClellan@usma.edu

The Superintendent, LTG David Huntoon ’73, was the guest speaker at the Alumni Leaders Dinner Friday evening. While LTG Huntoon had only been in his position for three weeks, he shared his experience with New Cadets during the Cadet Basic Training March Back from Lake Frederick on 7 August. Many of you have already viewed the FOX News Channel’s interview with LTG Huntoon that appeared on 13 August. In case you did not, or would like to see it again, here’s the link: http://video.foxnews.com/v/4310317/exclusive-new-superintendent-of-west-point/?playlist_id=86856

The Acceptance Day Parade on Saturday was a highlight of the conference, as usual. But for me, personally, the Colorado Parents Club Picnic after the parade was especially enjoyable.& It was an opportunity to speak with many cadets and their parents.

Board member, Bob Walcott ’78, was at the picnic, as was his son, Alex, who is a Firstie. Past board members, WPSD life member, and past-president of the Colorado Parents Club, Jerry Miller’73 and his wife Claire attended as well. Now living in Highland Falls, they continue to support Colorado organizations. On behalf of the Society, my thanks go to Jerry and Claire for graciously providing their home as a place to stay, and once again making the Alumni Leaders Conference a most enjoyable experience.

If you are registered on the AOG web site, you can go to www.westpointaog.org/netcommunity/leadersconferencepresentations to view the slides for all conference presentations.