This newsletter is dedicated to highlighting the ways that private giving is shaping the future of West Point. The West Point Association of Graduates is the alumni association of the
A PUBLICATION OF WPAOG DEVELOPMENT OFFICE • SPRING 2026
“It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you don’t care who gets the credit.” For Tony Guzzi ’86, that well-known principle is more than a quote, it is the throughline of his leadership, his philanthropy, and his enduring commitment to West Point.
As Chairman and CEO of EMCOR Group, Guzzi has led one of the nation’s largest specialty construction and facilities services firms for more than two decades. But long before taking the helm of the boardroom, he was a cadet, an experience he credits with “shaping the core of who I am,” he says. “There is nowhere I would rather have been. I came in with strong values. The Academy refined them.” As an infantry officer during the post-Cold War drawdown, Guzzi and his classmates watched the Army shrink dramatically. After earning admission to Harvard Business School, he transitioned from active duty and built his career in business, eventually rising to lead EMCOR. In the early 2000s, he and his family moved to Fairfield, Connecticut, close enough to return regularly to West Point. The renewed proximity made the Academy less of a memory and more of an active presence
Though he walked on the football team as a cadet and was cut early in his plebe year, athletics were not central to his West Point experience; academics and military leadership were his primary focus. However, returning to Michie with his family deepened his connection to Army athletics in an entirely new way. The march on, the flyover, the Parachute Team, the overall energy, and now the competitiveness of the team drew them back regularly. The Defining Moment A turning point came in the spring of 2002, when he was invited to West Point’s Bicentennial celebration at Lincoln Center, followed by a formal banquet in the Mess Hall. The nation was still reeling from the aftermath of 9/11. At his table sat two Firsties preparing to graduate into an era of war. “The seriousness and sense of purpose they carried—it struck us,” Guzzi recalls. “They knew what they were heading toward. It hit me in a new way: This is a special place.” This was the moment that compelled him to go beyond
PHILANTHROPY AS LEADERSHIP: Tony Guzzi ’86 on Giving Back to West Point
in his life and helped to reinforce his conviction that its mission mattered deeply to the nation. “We started coming to more games,”
he recalls. “I’ve always been a big football fan. I have always loved the Army team.”
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99% as of April 1, 2026 CAMPAIGN NEWS
Campaign Goal: $600M
Serving West Point and the Long Gray Line
From the Vice President of Development I am privileged and genuinely humbled to step into the role of Vice President of Development! In my eight years as Development Officer for the West Point Association of Graduates, I have witnessed firsthand how dedicated, creative, and driven each of my colleagues are, and I’m grateful to continue to serve alongside them. As the wife of a Class of 2000 USMA graduate and the proud parent of a current cadet, I carry a deep personal connection to the mission and am honored to steward our West Point Ready comprehensive fundraising campaign—ensuring cadets remain ready to serve and ready to lead in all pursuits and the Long Gray Line is supported in the Moments that Matter. This is an incredible moment to be part of Development at West Point! We have talent. We have momentum. We have purpose. On the following pages, you will learn about Academy funding priorities and the donors like you who have stepped forward to lead and support West Point. I invite you to share how you prefer to hear from us and how you’d like to support the Academy, so we can tailor your experience in a way that’s most meaningful to you. Go Army! Angela Oakley P ’27 Vice President of Development West Point Association of Graduates
This newsletter is dedicated to highlighting the ways that private giving is shaping the future of West Point. The West Point Association of Graduates is the alumni association of the United States Military Academy. Its mission is to serve West Point and the Long Gray Line.
Editor Courtney Schacht Associate Editor Leigh Gust Design Impel Creative Contact stewardship@wpaog.org or 845.446.1655 GIVING
For more information about how you can help shape the future of the Academy, please contact Vice President of Development Angela Oakley or Senior Director of Major and Leadership Giving Mike White ’82 to discuss a personal approach to giving to West Point. angela.oakley@wpaog.org 845.446.1504 mike.white@wpaog.org 845.446.1557
Please visit WestPointReady.org and view the West Point Ready video to learn more about our ambitious campaign to support USMA.
WEST POINT ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES
Even for West Point, the winter of 2025–26 was especially cold and snowy, but it set the stage for an exceptional season for the Mountaineering Team. The team ventured out on an ice climbing trip in the Catskill Mountains which included a multi-pitch ice route at Buttermilk Falls. MARGIN OF EXCELLENCE IN ACTION Mountaineering Team
Save the Date: West Point Challenge May 3 – May 7, 2026
The West Point Challenge is back! Private support fuels Margin of Excellence programs like internships, global opportunities, athletic teams, extracurriculars, and the world-class facilities and academics that shape tomorrow’s leaders and elevate the cadet experience beyond the ordinary. Whether you’re a member of the Long Gray Line or a proud supporter, this is your moment to stand with the Corps. Give $5 or more and make your mark. Early giving is OPEN. Extend your impact by becoming a WPC Ambassador to help spread the word.
“Mountaineering has given me countless reps at maintaining a level head in stressful situations and has taught me the importance of practice, attention to detail, and communication in a high-stakes environment that other clubs cannot replicate,” said CDT Walker Blackmon ’26. “At the end of the day, the only thing keeping you from the ground is your teammate, and
there is a level of trust involved that replicates the seriousness and gravity of the Army. I appreciate the opportunity to learn skills that in other places I would have to pay thousands of dollars to learn,” Blackmon said. “We have amazing coaches with a wealth of experience. We are getting a professional-level education for free and it's truly amazing.” ///
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PHILANTHROPY AS LEADERSHIP: Tony Guzzi ’86 on Giving Back to West Point CONTINUED FROM COVER
alternative he might have pursued, and says it prepared him well for Harvard and beyond. Most recently, the Guzzis have also aligned their support to give the Commandant the flexibility to direct resources where they are needed most, when they are needed most, in service of the Corps. The Commandant’s Unrestricted Fund , now known as the Commandant’s Warfighter Endowment and Fund , equips Academy leadership to act rapidly with precision, directing resources toward both enduring priorities and emerging demands in an increasingly dynamic global environment. The leadership approach at the Academy reflects the way Guzzi leads in business—hire the right people, set the mission, and trust
simply cheering for Army. The Bicentennial commemoration activated his passion to get involved with West Point in a concrete way. The Academy has not been the same since. Investing in Leadership Guzzi and his wife, Michelle, have focused their West Point philanthropy on the Superintendent’s Annual Fund , the A-Club Fund , the Department of Social Sciences, the Commandant’s Unrestricted Fund , and athletics. “Athletics are forward-facing,” Guzzi says. “People see how Army competes. They see the
toughness. That matters.” He credits former Athletic Director Boo Corrigan and Head Football Coach Jeff Monken with restoring competitive edge and culture to Army Football during a pivotal period. “It’s not about winning every game,” he says. “It’s about how you play. When people watch Army, they should see discipline, toughness, teamwork. That reflects the institution.” At the same time, Guzzi remains deeply committed to academics and leader development. He considers his undergraduate education at West Point superior to any
Tony Guzzi with his wife, Michelle.
them to execute. “I believe in the leadership in place,” he explains. “If you have the right leaders, they should make the decisions about how to use the resources. We trust the leadership to make the right decisions in allocating our capital to the most impactful areas.” “The core of who I am as a leader hasn’t changed much since I was a cadet company commander,” he reflects. “Hopefully I’m better at it now. But the foundation was built there.” He believes West Point develops universal skills and durable talent which apply in the military, in academia, in the business world, or wherever USMA grads end up in life. “If you give to West Point, you’re becoming a force multiplier for what can happen in this country,” he says. “You’re investing in leaders.”
A Legacy of Service Beyond the Uniform Though he left active duty during the Army’s drawdown, Guzzi believes he has continued serving in a different way. Under his leadership, EMCOR has hired hundreds of veterans—from the enlisted ranks all the way up through general officers—and has invested heavily in structured leader development from the front-line to the most senior executives. The company partners with Thayer Leadership to deliver customized programs for its executives and rising leaders. EMCOR’s values of “Mission First, People Always” serve as the foundation of how the company is led and how it promotes and chooses its leaders.
Guzzi with his family at the Army–Navy Game, December 2025.
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“If you have the right leaders, they should make the decisions about how to use the resources. We trust the leadership to make the right decisions in allocating our capital to the most impactful areas.”
“We know we are getting great raw material,” he says of hiring veterans. “It is smart business to hire veterans, especially in our business.” He is also a co-founder of the Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund, established by members of the Class of 1986 to honor fallen classmate COL John McHugh and to support military families. What began as an effort to educate McHugh’s five children has grown into support for thousands nationwide. For Guzzi and many of his classmates, philanthropy and veteran advocacy have become an extension of their original oath. “There was a sense that we didn’t serve as long as we might have,” he says. “Giving back closed that loop for us.” Frog Week and the Next Generation Guzzi has also experienced West Point from a different perspective—as the father of a cadet. His son, Louis ’23, served as the F-4 Company Commander and thus orchestrated its “Frog Week.” Louis famously went all-out to ensure the Frog Week under his leadership was one for the ages. Complete with coordinated stadium graphics, mess hall support, IT assets, a marketing consultant, the Hellcats dressed as frogs, fireworks, and even a frog air assault, the event was planned with military precision.
“They treated it like a full-scale operation,” Guzzi says with a smile. “It was creativity, leadership, and execution all rolled into one. And their TAC and RTO used the planning and execution as a development opportunity for them.” Watching his son—and today’s cadets— confirmed something he already believed: West Point has adapted with the times while preserving its core. “The technology is different. The Army they’re entering is different,” he says. “But the values haven’t changed, and I actually think the development model of today versus the attrition model of my time is far superior.” Getting the Mission Done When asked what motivates his giving, it springs from the core of this institution’s first principle: Duty. For Tony and Michelle, supporting West Point is not about recognition. It is about ensuring the Academy continues to educate, develop, and commission leaders of character prepared for complexity, committed to service, and grounded in values that endure. “I got so much out of West Point,” Guzzi says. “If we can help strengthen it for the next generation, that’s a responsibility and a privilege.” ///
What is the Commandant’s Warfighter Endowment and Fund?
Formerly known as the Commandant’s Unrestricted Fund, the Commandant’s Warfighter Endowment and Fund mobilizes resources to strengthen how cadets train for the realities of modern combat. Through advanced simulations, rigorous field exercises, and immersive real-world scenarios, cadets sharpen their ability to think critically and act decisively. Investments in cutting-edge tools and realistic training environments build both tactical proficiency and leadership capability, ensuring graduates are prepared to lead
soldiers in the most demanding operational settings. The fund also expands access to emerging technologies, Individual Advanced Development programs, major training exercises, and international exchanges. It also supports branch education programs and mentorship opportunities. Together, these investments ensure that every graduate leaves West Point not only educated, but fully prepared, grounded in the principles of warfighting, equipped with modern tools, and ready to lead America’s soldiers with confidence and purpose. ///
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YOUNG GRAD SPOTLIGHT
Thomas Ward ’24 When Thomas Ward ’24 talks about West Point, he speaks with conviction. For him, giving back is not lip service; it is a way of life. Raised in Jasper, Alabama, a small town just north of Birmingham, Ward grew up in a family defined by service. His grandfather is a pastor. Most of the women in his family are teachers, and each of his siblings pursued careers in medicine and education.
Maximizing the Margin of Excellence At West Point, Ward immersed himself in the Margin of Excellence opportunities that define the 47-month experience at West Point. Through the Domestic Affairs Forum, he traveled to Washington, DC, debated policy on the House floor, met with the American Ambassador in Canada to discuss North American trade policy, and engaged lawmakers in Los Angeles on the state’s housing crisis. The Michael G. Boulegeris ’83 Civil Rights Staff Ride took him across the eastern seaboard and through the deep south, examining how soldiers were called upon to ensure that all Americans were granted their unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Through the Black and Gold Sandhurst team, Ward found much more than a high- performing team, he found a community that challenged him physically and morally. It sharpened his character and pushed him to become all that the Academy intended for cadets to become—leaders of character who
Growing up, he heard stories of his family’s military history, spanning every major war since the French and Indian War. The value of selfless service was part of the moral fiber of his upbringing. Yet, it was not until September 2018 that his own calling crystallized. Watching Senator John McCain’s funeral and hearing the Naval Academy Glee Club sing “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” Ward felt something shift. In that somber and inspirational moment, he knew he was called to serve; however, he was unsure what that looked like. His best friend applied to the Naval Academy and kept encouraging Ward to consider West Point. Initially, he enrolled at the University of Mississippi with plans to pursue ROTC. But almost immediately, he yearned for something greater. “In my heart, I knew that West Point was where I was supposed to be. After a year at Ole Miss, I headed north to attend USMA. It’s the best decision I have ever made,” he says.
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Thomas Ward ’24 with West Point’s oldest graduate, COL (R) Herb Stern ’41, at the Founders Day celebration at Falcons Landing in Virginia.
Ward and his father during Parents Weekend 2023.
are physically and morally fit to lead soldiers. “I cannot think of a better team to help propel my teammates and me toward this outcome.” Margin of Excellence opportunities like these create a tailored Academy experience for each cadet. They are crucial for bringing classroom theory to life and broadening cadets’ exposure to the environment in which they will defend. These programs are critical.
heightened his ability to think critically, and opened doors to relationships and opportunities that would be impossible from any other institution anywhere in the world. Although he never anticipated leaving active service early, a medical diagnosis ultimately required him to do so. As his classmates continue to serve, Ward feels a renewed obligation to serve in a different way. That desire has led him to roll up his sleeves and come to work at the West Point Association of Graduates (WPAOG) in order to continue advancing the mission of the Academy and supporting the Long Gray Line. His message to fellow young graduates is
direct: “Giving, like most things in life, is a habit,” he says. “There’s no better time to begin than right after graduation, when the Academy’s impact is still fresh.” WPAOG’s Enduring Link “The Association of Graduates has been the single most useful resource as I have transitioned out of the Army,” he says. Through resume and LinkedIn support via Career Services, and outreach from Old Grads offering mentorship and encouragement, the West Point network provided stability during such an uncertain time of life. WPAOG took care to ensure he would be gainfully employed upon
departing the Army. The entire transition experience reinforced his belief in the strength of the Long Gray Line. This won’t be the last you hear about Thomas Ward. We don’t get to choose our circumstances, only how we respond, and he is living this truth. His service mindset, tenacity, and intellect will drive him far in life, and his influence will touch countless lives. He is doing what he can to ensure that future cadets experience the same life-changing opportunities that shaped his own journey. Ward embodies the next generation of West Point leaders who understand that service and philanthropy are inseparable. ///
A Commitment to Give Back For Ward, becoming a donor was
straightforward. “West Point fundamentally changed the trajectory of my life,” he explains. The Academy expanded his worldview,
The 2035 Strategic Plan, Our Enduring Link, is designed to deliver graduate- centered experiences in the Moments that Matter, including key milestones like career transition. To learn more about the Link Plan, scan the QR code.
“Giving, like most things in life, is a habit. There’s no better time to begin than right after graduation, when the Academy’s impact is still fresh.” —Thomas Ward ’24
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PETE SELLECK ’77: A Legacy of Service and a Gift for the Future LTC (R) Clyde A. “Pete” Selleck III ’77 has always believed in planning ahead—whether it was commanding a company during his Army service, guiding Michelin North America as chairman and president, or making sure the West Point Association of Graduates (WPAOG) has the support it needs for years to come.
2025 Distinguished Graduate Award recipients, from left to right: LTC (R) Clyde A. (Pete) Selleck III ’77; LTG (R) David H. Ohle ’68; SEC Mark T. Esper ’86; GEN (R) Joseph L. Votel ’80; LTG (R) David D. Halverson ’79. Not pictured: Kathy Medaris Widmer ’83.
Five generations of his family are West Point graduates, starting with Charles D. Daly 1905 (for whom Daly Field is named) through their son Christopher Selleck ’07. After graduation, Pete was commissioned into the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, serving in the 4th Engineer Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, before transitioning to the Army Reserve. He then traversed a remarkable 35-year career with
Michelin, ultimately serving as chairman and president of Michelin North America. During that time, his team supported the Department of Defense to provide critical tires for Mine- Resistant, Ambush-Protected (MRAP) vehicles—advancements that helped save many lives in conflict zones. Selleck’s bond with West Point has only deepened over the years. For more than three decades, he has served as a military academy liaison officer, helping guide prospective cadets through the admissions process, and is still coordinating admissions activities in South Carolina today. He founded the West Point Society of Upstate South Carolina, served as its first president, and spent nearly a decade on the WPAOG Board of Directors. As class vice president, he leads the Class Gift Committee as they prepare for their 50th Reunion in 2027. In 2025, Selleck became a WPAOG Distinguished Graduate Award recipient. “I am deeply grateful to the West Point Association of Graduates for this recognition,” said Selleck. “WPAOG is truly one of the finest alumni organizations in the world, and it is a tremendous honor to be a member of the Long
Gray Line.” He champions the Association’s influence on the missions of both West Point and the Long Gray Line. “This honor reinforces a simple truth: a lifetime of service doesn’t end. It means continuing to do what I can, wherever I am, to give back to West Point, to the Army, and to the nation. Whether that’s through continued work in admissions, philanthropic efforts, or serving as a leader within my class, I remain committed to that service.” Giving back has long been a foundational value for Selleck and Nancy, his wife of 47 years. Recently, they revisited their estate plan and decided to accelerate giving to West Point. They increased their support for the Class Gift Fund and the Long Gray Line Fund . Additionally, they created the Selleck French Language Endowment , supporting French language training for the Department of English and World Languages—something unavailable when Selleck was a cadet. They also have named WPAOG as a beneficiary of the remainder of their donor-advised fund (DAF). “I know a lot of people hesitate to draft an estate plan because it’s rarely urgent to
do so,” he says. “But it’s important to do it.” As a former chairman of the WPAOG Finance Committee, Selleck knows the Association is a good steward of all the funds it receives. “WPAOG is totally professional and trustworthy, certainly one of the very best alumni associations anywhere,” he says. “You can rest assured that your contributions will be used for the purposes you want them to be used for. The Association is truly one of the finest alumni organizations in the world. And it’s a tremendous honor to be a member of the Long Gray Line.” ///
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The Superintendent’s Annual Fund helps sustain four aspects of cadet development at the Academy: Physical, academic, military, and character. These highlights reflect just a few of the Margin of Excellence (MOE) activities made possible by your generosity. Thank you for strengthening the cadet experience at West Point and shaping the leaders our Army and nation depend on. IMPACTING THE CADET EXPERIENCE: Elevating What’s Already Extraordinary
IMPACT ON The Physical Experience
IMPACT ON Academic Value
IMPACT ON Military Proficiency The Sandhurst Military Skills Competition places cadets in a demanding, highly competitive environment that mirrors real operational stress. Competing against elite teams from across the nation and around the world, cadets are tested on leadership, adaptability, and teamwork under pressure. The intensity of the competition reinforces high standards, accountability, and resilience, readying cadets to lead soldiers with confidence from day one.
IMPACT ON Character Development
The Men’s Army Volleyball team exemplifies professionalism, respect, and a relentless will to win. The team’s culture is grounded in three pillars—brotherhood, discipline, and killer instinct—essential to building lethality and unit cohesion. Volleyball demands rapid decision-making, precision, and constant teamwork, reinforcing the importance of collective performance over individual achievement.
The Simon Center for the Professional Military Ethic (SCPME) develops leaders of character through Character Academic Individual Advanced Development (AIAD) programs. One such AIAD took place from May 25 to June 3, 2025, across Normandy, France; Luxembourg City, Luxembourg; Bastogne, Belgium; and Brussels, Belgium. Cadets examined the responsibilities of officership, anchored by a central question: Is your character prepared for war?
The Defense and Strategic Studies Program sent 19 cadets from its Military Innovation course on a tour and interactive lecture with staff from the Defense Innovation Unit and MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory. The Military Innovation course examines historical and contemporary military innovation through theoretical, historical, and policy lenses. After learning core innovation models, cadets analyzed case studies to better understand the challenges the U.S. Army faces in pursuing innovation.
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National Endowment for the Humanities Grant SUPPORTS WEST POINT’S AMERICAN FOUNDATIONS PROGRAM
The West Point Association of Graduates has been awarded a matching grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to support the American Foundations program, an initiative dedicated to deepening cadets’ understanding of the U.S. Constitution and
Beyond the classroom, American Foundations brings history and ideas to life through academic enrichment experiences. Recent trips have taken cadets to Valley Forge and Philadelphia, Fort Ticonderoga, and Washington, DC, where they engaged directly with historic sites, handled period weapons, and met with national leaders. These experiences reinforce the program’s mission by connecting constitutional principles
to lived history and contemporary civic leadership. The program also extends its reach across the Academy by hosting high-profile lectures open to the entire Corps of Cadets. Since 2023, American Foundations has welcomed distinguished scholars and public intellectuals, including Judge Janice Rogers Brown, Dr. Arthur Brooks, Prof. Randy Barnett, and Ms. Amity Shlaes.
America’s founding principles. Established in January 2023, American Foundations was created to deepen West Point cadets’ understanding of the U.S. Constitution and America’s founding principles by offering an academic minor, a guest speaker program, and academic enrichment experiences. Inspired by the Federalist Papers’ enduring question— whether societies are capable of establishing good government “by reflection and choice”— the program set out with modest goals. Its success has far exceeded expectations. Since its approval, American Foundations has become one of the most popular of West
Point’s 17 academic minors. Cadets pursuing the minor complete a rigorous curriculum that includes two cornerstone courses: Political Thought , taught by Dr. Hugh Liebert, which examines the philosophical foundations of the American Republic, and a course on the history of the American founding and the ratification of the Constitution taught by Dr. Rob McDonald. Cadets then select electives from departments across the Academy and culminate their studies with a Firstie-year capstone tutorial focused on primary texts and a comprehensive oral examination.
“American Foundations allowed me to study the United States founding—one of my lifelong passions—from various perspectives, enhancing my knowledge of the period and my appreciation for those who established the United States. Understanding this era more thoroughly, including the military’s role in securing Americans’ liberties and the nation’s independence, immensely contributed to my sense of purpose as an officer in the United States Army.” — 2LT Adam Azmeh ’25
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At the end-of-year American Foundations BBQ at South Dock, cadets and faculty gathered to celebrate the graduating Firsties and the work of a year grounded in ideas that shaped a nation. Each graduate received a copy of Power and Liberty: Constitutionalism in the American Revolution by Gordon S. Wood, a fitting tribute to a year spent studying the foundations of American constitutionalism and leadership. Pictured left to right: Dr. Rob McDonald, Professor of History and Co-Director of American Foundations; CDT Sam Mulvey ’26; CDT Mason Harris ’26; CDT Anthony Petracca ’27; 2LT Eli Nelson ’25; CDT Nick Murphy ’27; 2LT Adam Azmeh ’25; Dr. Hugh Liebert, Professor of American Politics and Co-Director of American Foundations; CDT Julius Lord ’28; and CDT Jack Gerber ’28.
desire to better understand and better serve the country they will lead. The success of American Foundations is made possible by the generosity of alumni, donors, and faculty partners across the Academy. With the support of the NEH and the West Point community, the program looks ahead to continuing its role in “preserving good government by reflection and choice” for generations of future Army officers. This historic opportunity arrives as our nation approaches its 250 th anniversary. It represents more than funding—it is a commitment to strengthening cadets’ understanding of America’s founding principles, civic heritage, and constitutional ideals at a defining moment in our national story. ///
The program oversees the annual Sol Feinstone Lecture on the Meaning of Freedom and sponsors popular celebrations of Constitution Day and Patriots Day. As the first federal grant in WPAOG history, the NEH grant, awarded through the Endowments for Advancing the Humanities program, affirms the national significance of American Foundations and supports the continued growth of its academic and public programming. The grant also reflects growing external recognition of the program, including its designation by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni as an “Oasis of Excellence” in American higher education. American Foundations resonates deeply with cadets, whose education culminates in an oath “to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.” The program meets cadets’
“American Foundations is an outstanding program that facilitated exploration of my personal and professional interests relating to the founding. The connections with faculty mentors and insights gained through courses, guest speakers, and other activities left me with a profoundly different understanding of who we are and how our fundamental values came to be.” — 2LT Eli Nelson ’25 From January 31, 2026, through January 31, 2029, every philanthropic dollar brings us closer to unlocking an extraordinary federal match. $5.5 million unlocks its full potential— creating a permanent $11 million endowment to sustain this program for generations to come. This is a rare, time-limited opportunity to help secure a lasting legacy of learning, character, and service at West Point. AMB Al Hoffman ’56 helped establish the American Foundations Endowment , advancing momentum toward fulfillment of the initial match requirement. For more information about the American Foundations Endowment, please contact Laurie.Rumpf@wpaog.org.
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Robotics Research Center Leads Drone Innovation at West Point
Modernizing the Sky As the Academy undergoes significant facilities modernization on the ground, the airspace above it is evolving just as quickly. Across West Point, the Robotics Research Center has activated leaders, cadets, academic departments, and Garrison elements to make drone operations an immediate capability rather than a future goal. As the character of warfare evolves—shaped in part by lessons from the war in Ukraine—the Army is accelerating innovation to ensure its formations can adapt. At Keller Army
Cadets Rising to the Challenge For cadets, the challenge was anything but simple. Drone operation requires careful coordination. Routes cross public roads, communication links must always be maintained, and safety measures must remain in place, including pausing traffic to ensure a secure flight path. At the same time, cadets were deepening the logistical and technical aspects of the mission. “It was the first time this happened at West Point,” explained COL Joe Davis, head of the Robotics Center. “So everything took a hyper-conservative approach.” Still, the mission succeeded. The drones flew autonomously. The medication was delivered. And a concept moved one step closer to reality. From there, the drone program at West Point has expanded quickly. Expanding into Interdisciplinary Capstone This year, Project MARS has grown into an interdisciplinary senior capstone, bringing together cadets from the Departments of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) and Electrical Engineering and Computer
Community Hospital (KACH), that adaptation is underway. What began as a research collaboration with cadets is now turning cutting-edge drone technology into practical tools that could help medics move faster, reach farther, and ultimately save more lives. Birth of Project MARS Inside cadet labs and across the training areas of USMA, a new concept has taken shape: Project MARS, the Medical Autonomous Resupply System. The idea is simple but powerful: explore how to deliver medical supplies via small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (drones) when terrain, distance, or enemy activity makes traditional resupply difficult or dangerous. In April 2025, a small team within the Robotics Research Center launched a proof of concept —flying medication a short distance from KACH to the United States Military Academy Preparatory School (USMAPS), an ideal proving ground without on-site medical facilities.
Science (EECS). What began with off-the-shelf systems has evolved into cadet designed aircraft built to carry several pounds of medical payload while balancing range, speed, and battery life. They are moving beyond one-time drone demonstrations to embedding a system of regular, ongoing drone operations. The capstone is establishing a repeatable delivery route from Keller to the TMC in Pershing Barracks, where medications could be delivered multiple times a day. Unlike earlier tests, the drones will land, be received, and return along a controlled path—mirroring how the system might function in a real operational environment. Achieving Regulatory Milestones In January, USMA reached a major milestone: a Certificate of Authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration, delegated through the U.S. Army Aeronautical Services Agency. The approval allows Visual Line of Sight drone operations across West Point through January 2028.
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“Building MARS has been great exercise of engineering-in-practice, with a client’s requirements but also a budget and doctrine and timeline to manage. We get a chance to apply our skills to a relevant capability gap: a low-cost and modular platform certified for regular beyond visual line of sight deliveries. In the process, each member has had a chance to lead our multidisciplinary technical team. These skills translate directly into military leadership but also business leadership. I’ve especially appreciated the opportunity to work with SFC White and the KACH Team, who have been instrumental in creating the conditions for this project to happen. With their help and West Point’s endorsements (including a brief directly to the Superintendent!) we are excited to see MARS conducting deliveries by the end of the semester!” —CDT Jacob Crossman ’26
“This is a pivotal moment for Project MARS and our vision for the future of military healthcare,” said KACH Commander COL Sean J. Hipp. “FAA approval allows us to move beyond theoretical planning and into practical application.” “The groundwork is now in place to make this process routine,” says Davis. “The broader purpose is telemedicine—once we can conduct these missions routinely in Garrison, we can build Army confidence in aerial supply of all kinds. We won’t get there if we don’t start doing these operations today.” Integrating Drones into Curriculum For cadets, the shift from theory to execution is happening. This transition is not confined to a single project. Beginning with the Class of 2027, drone development has become a core element of the USMA curriculum in the AI105 course, mandatory for all plebes. “Roughly 1,200 cadets go through that course per year,” says Davis, “and they are working in groups of two to build drones. We build 300 drones per semester. Ultimately, we will integrate these drones into summer training.” EECS also offers CY305 Technology Innovation and Emerging Warfare for juniors. In this course, students use the same drones but integrate more advanced technology. For
example, they may add an onboard processor to enable object detection through the drone’s camera system. This allows cadets to identify targets, coordinate call-for-fire exercises, and operate drones equipped with grenade- dropping mechanisms. These drones are more advanced and employ practical operational significance. To this end, every cadet will graduate as a leader with a full understanding of the technology they will be required to use. That understanding matters. In modern conflict, drones are no longer optional—they are central to reconnaissance, logistics, and battlefield awareness. In today’s conflicts, they account for the vast majority of battlefield casualties. Preparing cadets to operate in that environment is no longer forward-looking; it’s immediate and critical. Continuous Improvement and Integration “We will constantly be improving the program,” says Davis. “Ultimately, we are hoping that this is a win for everybody. The cadets get the opportunity to learn how to build them, how to fix them, how to operate and employ them tactically in training. The Robotics Research Center will perform quality assurance and integrate higher technical capabilities where
comes with a familiar reality: Give cadets something new, no matter how advanced, and they will find a way to break it. Sometimes by flying it into a tree. Sometimes by colliding mid-air. Occasionally, in ways no one saw coming, by lithium batteries tumbling out of the back of a tactical vehicle and starting a fire. The difference now is that they don’t just break it—they fix it themselves, improve it, and send it back up again. /// To learn more about the Robotics Research Center, please contact james.brandenburg@wpaog.org.
necessary. And then, we hope to find homes in the Army for these drones. There are units all over the Army that need drones.” This is a pivotal program at West Point and a powerful way to connect cadets’ academic efforts directly to their contribution of military service. Nothing New Under the Sun Artificial intelligence technology is now required at the tactical level. The drones fly. The systems improve. The mission advances. But across generations, one thing hasn’t changed. Like any good cadet-led effort, it
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Returning to West Point this past year for my 50th Class Reunion was a profoundly moving experience. As you know, there is something truly special about reconnecting with classmates, sharing stories of our time, and seeing how the bonds forged at the Academy endure across decades. Last spring, as I wrapped up my 50-year affiliate class experience and joined the West Point Ready Campaign Cabinet, I was reminded of the privilege—and responsibility—of staying connected to this extraordinary institution. Superintendent’s Annual Fund WHY I GIVE A Letter from LTG (R) Robert L. Caslen Jr. ’75, DBA
When I was asked to once again serve West Point by reaching out to you today to join me in supporting the Superintendent’s Annual Fund , West Point’s #1 funding priority, I did not hesitate. Through WPAOG, each of us can stay linked to the Academy, support its mission, and ensure that the next generation of leaders is equipped with the character, competence, and confidence to succeed in any mission. Ever since I graduated in 1975, I have been drawn back to this place time and again. Whether serving as a TAC officer, Commandant of Cadets, or as the 59th Superintendent, I have continually been inspired by the caliber of officers the Academy develops—leaders prepared to meet the complex demands of warfighting and service to our nation. I look back on my years as a cadet with a combination of gratitude and a sense of accomplishment. The Academy prepared me
to do what our country asked of me. My West Point experience molded me into the leader I am today, simply because West Point’s motto, Duty, Honor, Country, embodied into each of us the values the American people demand, whether we serve wearing the cloth of our nation, or service in the corporate world, or even within our communities. Today’s cadets are serving in an ever- complex, multi-faceted, digitally engaged, global environment. They are as patriotic as any generation has ever been, and they are ready to bring their expertise to the fight. They have the courage and tenacity to rise to the occasion and take their turn to serve. Government appropriated funds provide for the minimum standards, but if we want our future leaders to experience academic, military, physical, and character programs that will make them the best leaders of the world’s
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WEST POINT ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES
like each of us. Supporting the Superintendent’s Annual Fund not only helps to maintain the excellence of West Point’s military, academic, character, and extra-curricular programs, but it is also critical in attracting and retaining the best and brightest students. As members of the Long Gray Line, each of us has a role in shaping an even brighter future for today’s cadets and those yet to come. I invite you to reflect on your own West Point experience, the opportunities it gave you, and the lessons it taught, and to join me in continuing your support for the Academy and the leaders it develops. Thank you for considering a gift to the 2026 Superintendent’s Annual Fund . Together, we can ensure that West Point will have the necessary resources to continue graduating the very best leaders our nation needs. ///
armies, then we need to seek additional support, which we refer to as the “Margin of Excellence.” While serving as the Superintendent at West Point, I witnessed firsthand how necessary the Superintendent’s Annual Fund is to support the Margin of Excellence and how it truly sets West Point apart from other top-ranked universities and produces the leaders our nation needs today. Top funding priorities include academic and military enrichment programs and centers, cadet internships and overseas experiences, research, and capstone projects. These invaluable experiences are shaping well- rounded cadets who bring critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills, leadership, character, and real-life experience to our Army, our nation, and to our communities. It cannot be overstated just how much the Academy relies on annual support from donors
LTG (R) Caslen with his wife, Shelly.
“While serving as the Superintendent at West Point, I witnessed firsthand how necessary the Superintendent’s Annual Fund is to support the Margin of Excellence and how it truly sets West Point apart from other top-ranked universities and produces the leaders our nation needs today.”
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FUNDING NEEDS Top Priorities in Bold
SUPERINTENDENT Superintendent’s Endowment/Annual Fund Chaplain Endowment & Fund Egner Hall Renovation Fortress West Point Spiritual Resilience Center USMAPS Endowment West Point Pathways West Point Strategic Portal at Michie Stadium 50 Years of Women at West Point Project DEAN Cyber & Engineering Academic Center Math & Systems Engineering Center Dean’s Program Initiatives Dean’s Unrestricted Endowment/Fund Academic Enrichment Program (13 departments) Academy Scholars Program (13 departments) West Point Press West Point Werx Innovation Hub
Center for Leader Development in STEM Center for Molecular Science Combating Terrorism Center Consolidated Scholarship Program Chemical & Biological Science & Engineering Pre-Med Scholarship Mechanical & Aeronautical Engineering Technical Scholars Program Social Sciences Graduate Scholarship Foreign Language Teaching Enhancement Program Geography & Earth Science Department Program Initiatives Center for the Study of Civil-Military Operations Earth Science Field Study Program History & War Studies Department Program Initiatives Center for Holocaust & Genocide Studies Digital History Center Distinguished Chair in War Studies
Humanities Center Lieber Institute Model UN Photonics Center Robotics & Cyber Initiatives Space Domain Center West Point Leadership Center West Point Writing Fellows Program COMMANDANT Cadet Activities Unrestricted Endowment/Fund Character Initiatives Commandant’s Warfighter Unrestricted Endowment/Fund Modern War Institute West Point Simulation Center Cadet Glee Club
Competitive Club Sports Warrior Scholar Program DPE Physical Development Excellence ATHLETICS Michie Stadium Preservation Project A Club/Athletics Teams Quasi Endowments/Funds WEST POINT ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES Long Gray Line Endowment/Fund Career Services Grads Helping Grads/Veterans Services Entrepreneur Summit Memorial Support CONNECT
Cadet Parachute Team Cadet Skeet & Trap Team Cadet Spirit Support
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