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Presidents Corner

Class of 1966 President: Jim Long

JIM’S SUMMARY OF FALL USNA COUNCIL OF PRESIDENTS’ MEETING

I had promised to send to everyone all information provided during the Class President’s meeting on Oct 30th. They had made a promise to get the minutes out to all attending Class Presidents within a few days but that doesn’t seem to be happening and possibly will still come shortly. When I do receive them, I will forward to all as promised.

For now, I thought a few high points from the meeting would be worth sending while we wait for the minutes. The meeting agenda is provided again at the bottom of this email. So key items from my perspective follow:

  • The meeting held in Fluegel Alumni Center started at 0730 and ended about 1530. There were 60 Class Presidents in attendance with the oldest being from Class of 1954 and he looked great!
  • There were 15 different presentions and all were pressed a bit by schedule and relatively little time for questions or any followup discussions. The Supt gave the longest talk at one hour and was warmly received. She spent 15 minutes explaining the recent flap around NYU Prof Ruth Ben-Ghiat, an outspoken Trump critic, who was scheduled to give a Bancroft series lecture. The Supt asked her to cancel her lecture which she did. The Supt and later the USNA Provost and Academic Dean, Dr. Samara Firebaugh, both were clearly disturbed by the adverse visibility it caused by having her invited to speak. No mention was made how that happened.
  • Jeff Webb, CEO and President, Alumni Assn and Foundation, reported that $87M was committed in donations last year by alumni. There were alot of suggestions to us to do all possible to keep the donations at this level or higher in the future.
  • A great deal of interest was exhibited by many attendees on anything the Academy or AA could do to assist the Classes in planning and scheduling reunions. Clearly becoming more challenging for each Class but one thing was clear regarding who should do the work, either a fully paid contractor recommended by the AA or the Class inself. The reaction was strong and everyone wanted to continue the reunion planning themselves. It was mentioned that all should review the AA Reunion Planning Handbook on line as they believe it provides significant info for our use. They also reminded all that a Class needs USNA approval for whatever weekend we select.
  • On planned work around the Yard, the relocation of the Columbarium is getting alot of attention. Only clear points were (1) it would be moved but future location still being determined, (2) the Resilence Plan to address the USNA flooding challenge had the Columbarium being relocated no later the 2038 but all agree that is not early enough so work continues with a new goal of relocating it in 18 months, (3) a $29M budget was mentioned as cost to design and relocate and finally, (4) a strong commitment was made to assure alumni that access to current Columbarium would remain possible while new Halsey Rd seawall is contructed although very limited number of mourners would actually be able to accompany the family to the Columbarium after a service across the creek. Clearly a lot more information will be coming on this effort. Also it should be noted that our 2 installed benches honoring Nunna Spikes will be the location of those services for next 18 months minimum. Finally, starting in November 2024, significant work will be commencing in Bancroft Hall, Memorial Hall and the Rotunda which will limit access to public for 18 months.
  • On the Distinguished Graduate Award program, T.J. Grady, Asst EVP for Engagement and Communications, who runs the DGA and Legacy Award Programs reported they had received 33 DGA nominations this Fall which he implied was high plus 70 nominations for Legacy Program awards. Rod has been informed of these numbers and we remain confident that his qualifications for a DGA are extraordinary and he is very deserving. DGAs should be announced by end of the year.

So that’s enough for now and hopefully we will have the official meeting minutes shorlty which I will forward to you immediately. Cheers and BEAT ARMY! – Jim Long

CLASS UPDATES

ASSOCIATION OF THE CLASS OF 1966

Class of 1966 Executive Committee

Chairman: Clay Spikes
Secretary: Michael Baird
Treasurer: Chuck Grutzius
Members: Phil Bozzelli, Tom Eubanks, Don Jackson, Pierce Johnson, Tom Marfiak, Steve Niss, Robert Percival, John Scudi

Financials

Documents and Guidelines