The Dean of the Academic Board, BG Cindy Jebb ’82 congratulates the 29 Class of 2020 cadets who received prestigious graduate and technical scholarships such as Rhodes, Schwarzman, Marshall, Fulbright, Knight-Hennessy, National Science Foundation and Lincoln Labs fellowships. She also recognized the 20 members of the Class who will be heading straight to medical school upon graduation. Congratulations to these cadets for their outstanding achievement!

This year, three cadet groups worked on projects sponsored by Lockheed Martin and at the conclusion of their research competed in the 8th annual Sustainment Innovation Competition. During the annual competition, cadets and midshipmen from West Point and the U.S. Naval and Air Force Academies present Lockheed Martin-sponsored projects to a panel of judges. Despite all but one of the twelve being non-systems engineering majors, the cadet teams place first, third and fourth out of nine teams. Full story.

It started almost as a contest between friends, but ended up as something much more meaningful. BG Curtis Buzzard ’92, the Commandant of Cadets, and cadet leadership had challenged each member of the Corps to run one mile during April to raise awareness for sexual assault and harassment prevention month. Cadet Jordan Lawson ’21 and a couple of his friends in Company B-1 saw the challenge and decided one mile wasn’t nearly hard enough and set their sights higher. They eventually decided to take on retired U.S. Navy Seal and ultramarathon runner David Goggins’ 4x4x48 challenge. Four miles, every four hours, for 48 hours. They sent word to their platoon and then to all of B-1 as more and more cadets signed on for the challenge. Read the inspiring story of how this challenge grew to involve other cadets, alumni and even the incoming Class of 2024.

On Tuesday, May 5, WPAOG participated in Giving Tuesday Now, a “Day of Global Action for Giving and Unity” to benefit philanthropies of all types around the world during this challenging time. Many graduates, parents, and friends of West Point participated to support the Corps of Cadets, who exemplify the ethos of selfless service and Duty, Honor, Country. A special thank you to the Class of 1974, who led the way for class gifts on Tuesday’s day of giving.

Typically, the Department of English and Philosophy hosts an “Academy Idol” Shakespeare monologue competition during West Point’s annual Projects Day. With the cadets now spread throughout the country due to COVID-19, the department decided to host a virtual contest and have competitors submit videos of themselves performing monologues. During a normal year, only ten cadets compete for a chance to be named Academy Idol. Because the virtual contest had no time constraints, the competition was opened up to the entire plebe class this year and 67 cadets created monologue videos. The Top 12 were compiled into a Shakespeare Showcase video, and Lamb took top honors for her portrayal of Iago from “Othello.”

The 14th Annual Mike Krzyzewski Award for Excellence in Teaching Character Through Sport Award ceremony was held virtually on April 30. The awards recognize West Point athletes and coaches, and sports educators for their outstanding commitment to the development of noble character through athletic participation and leadership while living and leading honorably and demonstrating excellence. Awardees are designated for each category of sport within the West Point Competitive Sports Program: Corps Squad, Competitive Club Athletics, and Company Athletics.

As some Americans begin to struggle to put food on the table across the country, USMA cadets in the Northern Virginia area are doing their part to help community members overcome their personal predicament. Cadet Jack Felgar ’23, of Falls Church jumped at the chance to help his mother, Julie, as she became involved with La Colectiva, an organization that helps the immigrant community in several different ways. They have received help from three international cadets staying with them during the pandemic and a fourth cadet who lives nearby. Full story.

Graduation is right around the corner at West Point. Your cadet has earned that diploma, now it is time to show it off in our custom West Point diploma frames. Each frame is made to order, and ships directly to you. Commission certificate frames are also available to complete the set. Save 10% when you order the diploma frame and commission certificate frame together from the WPAOG Gift Shop. Order online or by phone at 1.800.426.4725 today. Congratulations to the Class of 2020!

We are so proud of the efforts of the Long Gray Line in the fight against COVID-19. We’ll be presenting more in the Summer issue of West Point, and in the meantime we’re sharing how grads are making a difference on our social media channels. Dr. Mark Karasz ’87 is making hand sanitizer from wine. COL(R) Timothy Connors ’88 connected with the WPAOG Career Services team to leverage the graduate network – finding just the right expertise to establish a temporary warehouse facility. Wyatt Batchelor ‘09, Mark Faldowski ‘09 and Michael Viti ‘08, three former Army football teammates are providing free meals to medical professionals in their local V.A. hospitals. And Tyler Merritt ’06, CEO of Nine Line Apparel, has his team working nonstop to produce and donate masks for workers who need them most. Merritt’s team has also developed a new protective mask, pending FDA approval.

Inspired by the resiliency of the country during the novel coronavirus pandemic, GEN(R) Martin Dempsey ’74, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, collaborated with the U.S. Army pop/rock band "Downrange" to produce a song titled “America.” In an interview with ABC News, Dempsey said that military bands exist to inspire and encourage Americans, as well as remind them “who we are in the toughest times.” The lyrics, written by Dempsey, are set to the Scottish folk song “Caledonia” by Dougie MacLean with a new musical arrangement by Army MSG Dan Roberts. Read more.

WPAOG congratulates CPT Joseph B. Bailey ’12 and CPT Frederick E. Beebe ’12 on their selection as Olmsted Scholars in the Class of 2021. The Olmsted Scholar Program was established in 1959 by MG(R) George H. Olmsted ’22. The program provides a two-and-a-half to three-year educational experience that includes full-time graduate study at a foreign university in the non-English language of that country. All five branches of the military nominate young officers for the Olmsted program each year. Candidates are selected for their propensity and aptitude for leadership. Bailey, an Armor officer, will study in Aix-en-Provence, France. Beebe, an Engineer, will study in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

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Looking for an activity to do while you’re home? The designer of the 2020 Army West Point Spirit Button will receive two free tickets to attend the GO ARMY! BEAT NAVY TAILGATE on December 12! All 1,500 attendees at the tailgate will receive the winner’s button. For instructions on the button design content, click here. Digital entries only.

Reserve your space in the Fall 2020 West Point Authors Bookshelf, a specially-priced advertising section in West Point magazine showcasing books by West Point affiliated authors. Check out the latest West Point Bookshelf in the Winter 2020 issue to discover and support these books. Learn more about this and other WPAOG advertising and sponsorship opportunities.