Congratulations to Dr. Mae C. Jemison, the 2021 recipient of the prestigious Thayer Award. Dr. Jemison served six years as a NASA astronaut and is trained as an engineer, doctor, social scientist, dancer and professor. Jemison currently teaches at Dartmouth College, where she focuses on technology design for sustainability for both industrialized and developing nations. While visiting West Point, Jemison met with the Academy’s leadership team and spoke with cadets from the Black and Gold Leadership Forum and Department of Social Sciences in a Q&A session before heading out to the plain for the annual Thayer Parade Review with the Corps of Cadets and LTG Darryl A. Williams ’83. Photos.

The West Point Association of Graduates held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 1 to officially open the new Equestrian Center for the United States Military Academy. This equestrian center will host traditional training for both novice and experienced riders. It will also ensure consistent year-round training for the West Point Equestrian Team and will host Equestrian events. During the ribbon-cutting, WPAOG's Kristin Sorenson, VP of Development, thanked all the donors who made the new facility possible because of their tremendous support. The new facility is called the General Crosbie E. Saint Equestrian Center and is located at Morgan Farms in Highland Falls. The center is named after West Point grad GEN (R) Crosbie Edgerton Saint '58 who served as Commander, United States Army Europe from 1988 to 1992. Photos.

WPAOG was honored to host members of the Superintendent’s Circle on September 24 and 25 at the annual Superintendent’s Circle Weekend. The weekend included a Friday evening Luau at Herbert Hall with members of the USMA and WPAOG Leader Teams and the Army-Miami OH football game on Saturday. Superintendent’s Circle Weekend recognized all donors who made gifts of $2,500 or more to the Superintendent’s Annual Fund or the West Point Parents Fund in 2020. Photos.

Registration is now open for the upcoming virtual Service Academy Career Conference. If you're currently transitioning from the military or pivoting to a new civilian role, you do not want to miss this opportunity! Over 60 companies looking for promising candidates in all industries have already registered to participate in the Virtual SACC, with more to join! If your organization is in search of top-tier talent, there is still time to register. Informative company webinars and panel discussions start November 1-3, culminating with the service academy career fair on November 5 from 12pm - 5pm ET. You will not want to miss the opportunity to showcase your leadership and industry-proven skills to employers focused on hiring you! Be sure to register now! Questions? Contact us at Careers@wpaog.org or 845.446.1618. Career Services will be holding an informative webinar session to help you prepare for the SACC on October 26 at 7:30pm ET. Please email Career Services for details about joining the webinar designed to help you get the most out of the SACC!

During the victorious Army football game against Miami University on September 25, the Class of 1981 presented a 40th Reunion Gift of $3,173,127 in support of the Directorate of Cadet Activities (DCA) and Anderson Athletic Center. Mike Miner '81, the Class Treasurer for the past 42 years, and Nancy Stevens '81, the Class Scribe and the Chair of the class’ upcoming 50 Year Affiliation Program, represented the class on the field. Joining them was WPAOG President and CEO, Todd Browne ’85. Accepting on behalf of West Point was Superintendent LTG Darryl A. Williams '83. This gift was made to honor the 20th Anniversary of September 11, 2001. Bill Buck '81 led this successful 40th Reunion Gift effort, which will provide Margin of Excellence opportunities annually for a large number of cadets participating in extracurricular clubs. The Class of 1981 Weight Room in the newly-renovated Anderson Athletic Center offers a state-of-the-art facility and equipment to enable cadet-athletes to train and excel at the highest levels. Since graduation, the Class of 1981 has given more than $8.2 million dollars back to their alma mater. We thank the class for its outstanding generosity through this monumental gift.

In partnership with Johnson & Johnson, we are proud to announce the 2021 Do More Together Summit: “Unified Impact.” This is an opportunity to learn together, grow together and ultimately do more together. All graduates are invited to attend this virtual summit, Unified Impact, October 27-29. Do More Together is a non-profit global network of USMA graduates and supporters from all backgrounds that engage, mobilize, and empower Black/African American graduates and cadets. Register.

The Margaret Corbin Women’s Leadership Forum hosted an event on September 20 at the Regimental Room inside the Cadet Mess Hall during Women in Leadership Day. The event centered its message on “Leveling Up Your Leadership.” Filled with prestigious guest speakers and current members of cadet leadership, the focus of the morning panel discussion was about women accepting increasing levels of responsibility. The Corbin Women’s Leadership Forum’s mission is to educate, empower and inspire the Corps of Cadets to serve as commissioned leaders of character by facilitating discussion of gender diversity and inclusion within the Corps, the Army and society, and by providing education opportunities, mentoring, and networking in support of cadets, staff, and faculty. Full story.

Heading to Arlington for the Army vs. Air Force football game? Check out these spirit events on November 5. As part of the weekend’s festivities, the first boxing matches ever held at Globe Life Field will be featured when the men’s and women’s boxing teams from Air Force and Army square off in an 11-bout competition from 7–9pm CT. Information and tickets are available here. Prior to the boxing matches, fans are invited to attend a free pep rally, featuring the Army and Air Force bands in the North Plaza of Globe Life Field at 6pm CT.

Our Go Army carpets pre-order was extended two weeks and ends October 17. Shop now before you miss out on this opportunity. The hand-knotted, fine wool, and silk carpets are available in several sizes. Each is customizable with your class year. The carpets are vegetable dyed and have a thick, 250 knots per square inch weave. Available through October 17 only with a holiday delivery schedule. Order now at WPAOGGiftShop.com or give us a call at 800.426.4725 during business hours (M/F, 10am-5pm). Check out the WPAOG Gift Shop for new fall favorites arriving weekly. Open home football Saturdays.

WPAOG is proud to partner with the West Point Women organization to present the upcoming 2022 West Point Women’s Conference, entitled “West Point Women at Forefront: Breaking Barriers,” from April 7-9, 2022. Over 5,000 women have graduated from the Academy since 1980 and have helped to make history through the years. The conference will bring together West Point Women to connect and inspire and hear from speakers such as Madeleine Albright, LTG (R) Nadja West ’82, and Alex Gorsky ’82. Please click here if you are interested in sponsoring this event which is the most attended WPAOG conference. Additionally, if you would like to have a booth at the conference to feature your business, book or organization, please learn more here. Finally, we are welcoming all artists to display their art at the West Point Women art gallery during the event. Sign up here. Registration will open in February 2022, and information about the 2022 West Point Women’s Conference can be found at the conference website.

Army West Point volleyball defeated the United States Naval Academy to pick up the program's 50th win over Navy on Saturday night at Wesley A. Brown Field House. This is the first time since 2015 that Army has defeated Navy in Annapolis. The Cadets' efforts were led by Paige Fixemer, who recorded a season-high of 18 kills along with six digs and four blocks. The sophomore finished the match with a .593 hitting percentage. In addition, freshman setter, Diana Ethridge, was tabbed Patriot League Rookie of the Week for the second time this season after her stellar performance on October 9. Army West Point volleyball is now 12-5 and 6-2 in the Patriot League. Full story.