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SUMMER
2015
westpointforusall.org
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More than 140 West Point Societies exist around the globe and include thousands of
members of the Long Gray Line. Over the years, societies have played an important role
in bringing together members of theWest Point community, sustaining traditions, and
supporting candidates, cadets, families, and graduates within their regions. Recently,
societies have stepped up their support of West Point by establishing endowments
within the
For Us All Campaign
that include the contributions of society members
and friends and also honor fellow members of the Long Gray Line and its families.
For example, the West Point Society of North Texas
established the
Jack and Gloria Hammack ’49 Minority
Visitation Program Endowment,
in gratitude for the
Hammacks’ lifelong commitment to the Corps of Cadets and
the Long Gray Line.
“The West Point Society of North Texas has been so
fortunate to have Jack and Gloria Hammack’s involvement
and leadership for many years,” says Society President Scott
Paul ’90. “We felt Jack and Gloria are examples of what we as
a society aspire to be. Jack and Gloria have always believed
that West Point is an incredible opportunity for any young
man or woman. Their named Minority Visitation Program
Scholarship allows an individual to see and believe in their
path to a lifetime of service.”
“Jack and Gloria Hammack’s continued legacy of servant
leadership inspires all of us,” continued Ellen Houlihan ’82,
who helped spearhead this initiative in honor of the Hammacks.
“They often refer to their connection to West Point,
beginning with Jack’s graduation through today, as a ‘once in
a lifetime’ opportunity. Their named Minority Visitation
Program Scholarship provides endowed funding for a
potential cadet to experience a glimpse of a ‘once in a lifetime’
opportunity of lifetime service.”
The Hammack Endowment will support the Minority
Visitation Program, within the Office of Admissions, which
provides highly qualified minority students the opportunity
to experience West Point, including the barracks, academics,
athletics, and cadet clubs. The program, which is also
included within the Superintendent’s
Diversity and
Inclusion Initiatives,
pays for the candidate’s parent to travel
to West Point as well. The Hammack Endowment will
specifically support minority candidates and their parents
from Texas.
As yet another example of a society establishing an
endowment in honor of a graduate, the West Point Society of
New England established the
Joanne Holbrook Patton
Summer Leaders Experience Scholar Endowment.
This
endowment was established to honor Joanne Patton, widow
of General George Patton ’46, and her work with the Society.
“The Joanne Holbrook Patton Scholarship will provide, in
perpetuity, registration and travel for one deserving New
England high school scholar to spend a week immersed in the
West Point cadet training and academic enrichment programs,”
explains Society President Dale Kurtz ’73. “This scholarship
reflects Joanne’s continued involvement and commitment to
young people interested in leadership success at West Point and
in the Army and a lifetime of service to our nation.”
Similar to the Hammack Endowment, the Joanne
Holbrook Patton Summer Leaders Experience Scholar
Endowment will specifically support candidates in their
region (Massachusetts or New Hampshire). The Summer
Leaders Experience, also out of the Office of Admissions,
provides promising high school juniors a week at West Point
to take part in academic workshops, military training,
physical fitness training, and intramural athletics. It is an
important recruitment initiative that immerses students in the
“West Point experience” and is later cited by students as a key
variable in their decision making when choosing West Point.
In supporting programs from within the Office of
Admissions, theWest Point Societies of North Texas and New
England established endowments that complement their
work with regional candidates.
“West Point Societies play an important role in recruiting
candidates and supporting their applications to the Academy,”
says Lisa Benitez ’88, WPAOG’s Senior Director of Annual
Giving and point of contact for the Office of Admissions.
“These endowments are a natural extension of this work and
will benefit regional candidates in perpetuity. Furthermore,
they provide an opportunity to recognize and pay tribute to
dedicated society members who have led and served their
society, region, andWest Point and are examples for the entire
Long Gray Line.”
West Point Societies
Give Back
toWest Point
The
Class of 1965
also set new records in both its
gift size and participation rate. Its gift of $3,325,000
is the largest 50th reunion gift ever presented to the
Academy, and its participation rate of 88% is the
highest class campaign participation ever! The
Class of 1965’s gift will support and establish
endowments for the following Academy and
WPAOG programs: the Center for Oral History; the
Long Gray Line Endowment; the Bob Jones ’65 Fallen
Graduates Memorial Scholarship Endowment;
Class of 1965 Maintenance Endowment; the
Harry Dermody ’65 Summer Leaders Experience
Endowment; and the Harry Dermody ’65 Cadet
Public Relations Council Endowment.
In addition, the
Class of 1970
presented its gift
of $1.3 million in support of the Class of 1970
National Conference on Ethics in America. This
conference brings together undergraduates from
around the country to think critically about ethical
issues in collegiate communities and professional
career fields. Working with mentors from diverse
backgrounds, students are given the opportunity to
develop key analytical skills and develop an ethical
framework that will help guide these students in
their future endeavors.
Lastly, the
Class of 1955
presented its gift of
$265,000 during its 60th Reunion at West Point.
This class gift supports the West Point Cemetery,
and specifically three sections of the Columbaria
Wall. Thanks to the Class of 1955, alongwith several
other classes that have contributed to this project,
the West Point Cemetery will increase its capacity
and ensure that many more members of the Long
Gray Line can rest peacefully with their loved and
fellow classmates.
“Class reuniongift campaignsgarner a tremendous
level of support for Academy andWPAOG programs
and encourage wide participation among its class
members,” says Kristin Sorenson, WPAOG’s VP of
Development. “These classes have not only set new
benchmarks for future class reunion campaigns, but
they have played a pivotal role in ensuring a strong
finish to the
For Us All Campaign.
We thank them for
their commitment to their class and West Point.”
Class Spring Reunions Raise
Nearly $5 Million
Thismonth, three classes presented their
reunion gifts to theWest Point Association
of Graduates (WPAOG), totaling nearly
$5,000,000 and supporting a wide range
of Academy and WPAOG programs.