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.
SPRING2026 | WESTPOINTAOG.ORG
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