500 alumni, friends, family, and peers gathered at West Point for Athena’s Arena, a conference focused on connecting and strengthening the Long Gray Line and celebrating its shared commitment to Duty, Honor, Country. Featuring five plenaries, varied tours, a memorial service, and other special events, the conference “aimed for a strong multigenerational connection, with both depth and breadth,” explained Andrea So ’02, 2026 Conference Chair for Athena’s Arena. Read more.

At the 2026 Sandhurst Military Skills Competition, USMA teams claimed the top two spots, with the Black Team winning overall and the Gold Team finishing second among 48 teams. Cadets endured two days of intense physical and mental challenges. Squad leaders CDTs Zachery Gallman ’26 (Black) and Jack Gartman ’28 (Gold) credited disciplined training, teamwork, leadership, and resilience for their success. Both emphasized the competition’s role in preparing future Army officers for high-pressure decision-making and combat leadership. Read more.

The second-floor rotunda of the Jefferson Hall Library and Learning Center was dedicated last week as the Roedy Rotunda, a permanent forum for dialogue, rigorous inquiry, and intellectual exchange. The dedication honors William “Bill” Roedy ’70, a grad who broke Cold War barriers with media culture and epitomized leadership in global health, and memorializes his father, COL William H. Roedy Sr. ’40, a veteran of WWII and the Korean and Vietnam wars. Read more.

Thank you to all the Old Grads, parents, and friends who participated in the 2026 challenge and encouraged others to join! With gifts totaling $6.3 million, every part of West Point and the lives of 4,400 cadets will be impacted! 368 different funds received Margin of Excellence gifts from 15,300 donors. Congratulations to the Class of 1977, who had the highest active class participation, and the Class of 1997, who had the most donors. The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Crew Team, Men’s Lacrosse Team, and Company I3 leaned in and took the top spots in our academic, club, athletic, and cadet company leaderboards. Learn more about the many 2026 challenge contest winners, final full class standings, and additional results here.

At 107, COL (R) Herbert Stern ’41 is our oldest living graduate and the last surviving member of the class. In this podcast, COL Stern reflects on West Point, the Battle of the Bulge, earning the Silver Star, liberating a concentration camp near Salzwedel, Germany, and a remarkable Army career that took him to the French War College, NATO, Turkey, Iran, and the White House to brief President Eisenhower. He also shares the challenges of transitioning to civilian life and what still captures his attention today. Special thanks to OakLine. Watch the video.

We’re aware of a phishing campaign currently targeting some members of our community. While this is affecting a limited number of graduates, we understand how concerning it can be, and we want to ensure everyone has clear, accurate guidance.

- Carefully check the sender’s email address. Only trust messages that come from the “@wpaog.org” domain

- WPAOG, its leaders, and its members will never send emails that require you to log in or provide personal credentials to access them

If you receive a suspicious message, do not click on any links or provide information. When in doubt, it’s always best to delete the email or report it through appropriate channels. Thank you for staying vigilant and helping look out for one another. Read more.

In April, the Class of 1966 returned to West Point to celebrate their 60th reunion. One of the highlights of their visit was presenting a record 60th reunion gift of $2.5 million in support of the Class of 1966 Legacy Endowment in Memory of Fallen Brothers. This generous endowment will provide funding in perpetuity to the annual WPAOG Ring Memorial Program. Read more. 

This summer marks 25 years since 9/11, a day when the world changed for Americans both here and abroad. Were you a cadet here on post? Were you at the Pentagon during or after the tragedy? Or did you make an impact with your service afterward at Ground Zero, or deployed elsewhere? Please reply to editor@wpaog.org with your contact information, and someone from the magazine will reach out to you.

Across the country, Founders Day events have continued to bring together graduates in celebration of shared values and service. In the Shenandoah Valley, one gathering highlighted not only the strength of the Long Gray Line but also the power of unity across all branches. The West Point Society of Northern Shenandoah welcomed a unique keynote speaker, David Cattler ’93 (USNA), whose remarks underscored a common foundation across the academies: leadership in moments of consequence and service above self. Read more. 

Grads and spouses are invited to attend WPAOG’s FREE Virtual Career Fair on June 11 from 12-3pm to connect with employers ready to hire, including Lockheed Martin, MedTechVets, Sobieski Mechanical Contractors, and New Politics Academy. Companies may also register through the same link.
Sign up here.

With the 2025 tax filing season in the books, you may be concerned that you left money on the table—if you used the standard deduction, like most American taxpayers. Nevertheless, recent changes in our tax system have created opportunities to secure savings that you may benefit from depending on your circumstances and your ability to be flexible. Consider these charitable planning options for the future. 

Celebrate graduation alongside the newest members of the Long Gray Line. Gear up with USMA Old Grad-themed favorites from apparel to hats, banners, and more that carry the tradition forward. Shop today for your Old Grad gear and other classics at the WPAOGGiftShop.com, or give us a call at 800.426.4725.