image-mask

News & Events

2016 Class President’s Report

Posted: 2/15/2017

Classmates – 2016 was a year filled with class activities. A growing number of classmates and their wives have joined together throughout the year at class gatherings in Hampton Roads, Annapolis, Northern Virginia , San Diego and Northern California. Most are through luncheons in all areas, tailgates at Navy home football games and a wonderful Christmas party in Williamsburg. A special thank you to those hard working classmates and their wives who arrange these events to maintain our bond of friendship!

In June, we kicked off a Class gift campaign with a target of raising $ 1,000,000 for three areas of emphasis:

* Expansion of our existing Distinguished Visiting Professor of National Security program to incorporate a capstone course of National Security coupled with opportunities for outstanding midshipmen scholars to study at organizations outside of USNA. The goal in this area is $700,000.

* Support of Athletic Excellence at the Academy through rain $150,000 to maintain and improve varsity, club, and intramural sports programs.

. Support of the Naval Academy Annual Fund to maintain programs in support of alumni and provide discretionary funds for the Superintendent via a gift of $ 150,000.As of mid January, Hank Chiles and his gift committee of Scott Logan, Chris Poindexter, Dave Parkinson and myself, have collected cash gifts of almost $ 700,000. Additional pledges, if consummated, would bring us over our initial target. However, if you have not yet answered the call, we would greatly appreciate your participation. There is no doubt that the money will be used wisely. I don’t want to move on without acknowledging the recent loss of Dave Parkinson, whose wise counsel and hard work helped make this project possible. His loss will be sadly missed.

While on the subject of the DVP program, I’m happy to say that Bill Ostendorff, our new DVP is well entrenched and contributing greatly to the study of national security. several classmates and I attended a few of his classes this past fall, and can attest to the enthusiastic reception of his teachings. This spring, he is teaching a course on ” Congress and National Security Making”.  Midshipmen will study the development of the annual defense authorization and appropriations bill, the jurisdiction of the armed services and appropriations committees. In addition to the legislative process, the midshipmen will analyze congressional action on selected national security issues (e.g. war on terror, nuclear deterrence and modernization, cyber warfare, F35 procurement, the Littoral Combat Ship Program, military personnel issues and other issues. I must say that this seems a great deal more interesting than our studies of the inner workings and hidden mechanisms of the 5″38 ! Bill would be happy to have any member of ’60 join his class ( you won’t have to take the quiz!] Just let me know and I’ll get you details.

Pete, Chabot and Bob Gamba, along with a number of classmates are already working on our 60th Reunion. I’m sure you have seen their latest update , but to repeat, based on your submissions via a survey, it was decided that the reunion will take place on a football weekend in the fall. 

Ed Mangan, our esteemed Class Treasurer submitted his financial report, and the bottom line is that we are in sound financial condition.As of 1/16,2017 we have total assets of $ 55,572,15 spread over four accounts – checking, money market, savings and an account held at the Alumni Association. Ongoing expenses will be quite low ( chiefly the net expenses of erecting tailgate tents at Navy home games). Tent and other tailgates expenses are offset to a degree by voluntary donations by attendees. All classmates and their guests are welcome. Expenses will increase as we get closer to the reunion as deposits or other expenses occur. 

Despite the positive news reported above, we are saddened to report the loss of 20 classmates in 2016, bring the total number lost since graduation to 235, or 29% of the 798 who graduated. We also lost a number of spouses and non graduates.A special thank you to those of you who helped classmates or their families through their last hours or in their time of grief.

One final note. Bill Lewis and I are often asked for contact information for classmates. We’re happy to do so to the best of our ability. However, some of you may not be aware that you can obtain address and e-mail addresses of classmate via a database maintained by the Alumni Association. I urge you to go to the alumni association website,www.usna.com , click on “stay connected” and click on “alumni lookup”. follow the directions and yo can lookup the data for any alumnus.

 John Michalski

 


«
»