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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WEST POINT ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES
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