News, Events & More
– Beat Air Farce 2021 Tailgater!
Posted: 9/7/2021
Click here to get all the gouge and register.
A few reminders:
You Don’t Need Tickets to Tailgate: we have a TV this season, so just come out and hang out with your classmates! Stay outside with the food and drink if you are unable to find tickets for the game
Want to Volunteer? We could always use volunteers for food / menu planning / selection, heavy lifting (set up and shut down), etc., but – again – what’s most important is that you come.
YOU DO NOT NEED TO REGISTER TO COME! It just helps us plan, but we always have stragglers and we always plan for stragglers. If there’s a chance that you’ll come, though, please register so that we can plan accordingly.
Donations: Just donate whatever you want, nothing, or in kind. What’s most important is that you join us! We’re bringing beer, wine, soft drinks, sparkling/regular water, coffee, tea, and a few odds and ends, so there’s no need to bring drinks along!
If there’s a chance you might come, please click here and register by Thursday night so that we can start buying food on Friday!
Beat Air Farce!
Ingar
Posted by Ingar Grev on 9/7/21
– Beat Marshall 2021 Tailgater!
Posted: 8/31/2021
Click here to get all the gouge and register.
A few reminders:
You Don’t Need Tickets to Tailgate: we have a TV this season, so just come out and hang out with your classmates! Stay outside with the keg if you are unable to find tickets for the game
Want to Volunteer? We could always use volunteers for food / menu planning / selection, heavy lifting (set up and shut down), etc., but – again – what’s most important is that you come.
YOU DO NOT NEED TO REGISTER TO COME! It just helps us plan, but we always have stragglers and we always plan for stragglers. If there’s a chance that you’ll come, though, please register so that we can plan accordingly.
Donations: Just donate whatever you want, nothing, or in kind. What’s most important is that you join us! We’re bringing beer, wine, soft drinks, water, coffee, tea, and a few odds and ends, so there’s no need to bring drinks along!
If there’s a chance you might come, please click here and register by Thursday night so that we can start buying food on Friday!
Beat the Thundering Herd!
Ingar
Posted by Ingar Grev on 8/31/21
– Class Crest Customized Chapel Dome Heirlooms Survey
Posted: 6/13/2021
After surveying the Class, the Board decided to commission Class of ’89- branded heirlooms made from the Chapel Dome. Click here to get a sense for the type of heirlooms we can get.
For two of the items we can customize (the Challenge Coin and the Holiday Ornament), we need to get a sense for what “back” options the class likes best. Click here to take the survey.
Hurry! The survey closes Monday, June 21st at noon EDT
Posted by Ingar Grev on on 6/13/21. Updated 6/16/21.
– Athlete Nominations for the class of 1989
Posted: 6/3/2021
I’m writing on behalf of our class board to request your assistance with a project that’s been presented by our USNA Athletic Director, Mr. Chet Gladchuk.
USNA’s Terwilliger Center for Student-Athletes is creating a digital display to commemorate graduates who have demonstrated superlative athletic excellence while at USNA. This display would include the individual’s name, graduation year, associated photos, USNA athletic achievements, contributions to the Navy during his/her service, and subsequent leadership contributions in the community.
I welcome you to think back to our Academy day and nominate those classmates whom you believe would be excellent candidates. All athletes are welcome to be considered, from club sports to varsity. Please strongly consider those individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership both in and out of uniform, as well as those who have committed themselves to a lifetime of athleticism.
The nomination should include as much detail as you know, such as the individual’s company, photos, sport played, details of his/her Navy career, as well as any other information you believe to be pertinent.
Please send your submission to “classofficers@usna89.com” no later than 10 June.
Many thanks!
Denise
Posted by Ingar Grev on behalf of Denise Willert on 6/2/21
– Yard Gouge Spring 2021
Posted: 5/28/2021
Happy May, everyone! The spring Council of Class Presidents was held virtually in late April, and I’d like to provide you the following update:
From VADM Sean S. Buck, USN, USNA ’83, Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy:
- Normalcy returning to the Yard
- As of late April, there were no cases of COVID in the Brigade; 99% of the Brigade and 86% of faculty/staff/coaches fully vaccinated
- Overnight liberty granted again with no issues
- Spring athletics a success story, despite having practice and games shut down for a month due to a COVID spike
- Commissioning Week to be in person
- Plebe Summer Induction 29/30 June
- Full summer training to resume this year
From Superintendent Q and A:
- Midshipman Standage is undergoing remediation; if he passes, he will graduate and commission
- A small handful of Midshipmen were seriously ill with COVID but all are back now
- USNA does not teach critical race theory
- Rising water levels at USNA: a formal engineering study to report out in December
- Youngster physics cheating scandal; Midshipmen involved being adjudicated by Honor Boards
USNA Alumni Association and Foundation update:
- Alumni Diversity and Inclusion survey complete; 12 percent alumni response
- 2020 Distinguished Graduates to be recognized in September; 2021 DGAs to be recognized Spring 2022
- New Alumni Center is on schedule and on budget
Mr. Chet Gladchuck, Jr, Athletic Director:
- Looking forward to football resuming!
- Another opportunity possible to go to Ireland; Navy Notre Dame, 2023
Anthony Whalen, USNA Memorial Affairs coordinator:
- The Columbarium will run out of space in three years; working on an expansion project
That’s the update for this spring. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out and let me know. All the best to everyone … Now’s the Time, 89!
Fondly,
Denise
’89 Class President
Posted by Ingar Grev on behalf of Denise Willert on 5/28/21
– Yard Gouge Fall 2020
Posted: 12/6/2020
The USNA Council of Class Presidents meets twice a year to discuss issues of importance to the Naval Academy and its alumni. Below are highlights from this fall’s meeting, held virtually in early November:
Comments from guest speaker LTGEN Dave Beydler, USMC (Ret.), Co-Chair, Special Committee on Alumni Culture, Diversity and Inclusion:
- Committee conducted weekly two-hour meetings with input from alumni this summer and fall
- Preliminary recommendations support fostering greater appreciation of each other, greater transparency, and expansion of diversity participation and engagement
- An all-Alumni survey is forthcoming
Comments from the US Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation:
- Chapel Dome memorabilia sales are greater than $1.2 million, providing support to the Midshipman Activities Fund
- Hopper Hall Cyber Security Center ribbon cutting was held on 15 October
- The Naval Academy Campaign closed in September with more than $500 million raised
- The Service Academy Career Conference (SACC) experienced 20 percent increase in alumni attendance
- More than 4000 alumni participate in the Alumni Mentoring Program (AMP)
Update on the Alumni Center Project:
- The project is on budget, expected completion summer/fall 2022
- The Center will be a 68K square foot building with on-site and nearby parking for more than 100 vehicles
- Class giving opportunities at the $250K and $100K levels
- Individual plankowner opportunities for those who pledge $12,500 by December 2022
Guest Speaker VADM Sean Buck, Superintendent:
- Social distancing protocols continue in place on the Yard
- Random COVID testing weekly for 10 percent of the USNA population
- 372 midshipmen are housed in St. John’s College dormitories to permit establishment of isolation rooms in Bancroft
- Midshipmen will start winter break after the Army Navy game; the Brigade will return 5 January 2021
- Midshipman 1/C Standage case: currently under litigation
- Diversity:
- Racism not systemic at USNA, a task force established to take a top-down look
- Changes to the names of buildings will only come from top-level Navy leadership
- There’s been a temporary pause on painting Tecumseh due to feedback from the Midshipmen Diversity Team
Update from Mr. Chet Gladchuk, Jr, Athletic Director:
- There’s been a loss of revenue due to COVID constraints
- We need to do all we can to sustain our athletic programs
- Football team will play Army at West Point this year
Take care, friends, and have a wonderful December!
Now’s the Time, 89!
Denise
’89 Class President
Death of a Classmate: Lance Jon Wood
Posted: 11/27/2020
Lance Jon Wood passed away at the age of 53 on Thursday, November 12, 2020, in Danville, California, following a six-year battle with Glioblastoma. He was surrounded by the love of his immediate family. Lance was born to Bob and Judy Wood in Cranford, NJ, on September 27, 1967. He grew up in Midlothian, VA, and attended the U.S. Naval Academy graduating in 1989 with a B.S. in Economics. At Navy, he played both varsity squash and tennis. Following graduation, he served in the Navy, achieving the rank of LTJG, and was a F14 carrier pilot.
He met his loving wife, Melinda Wood (nee Kunz), in San Diego and married in 1993. Lance and Melinda have three wonderful children together, son, Jake Wood of San Francisco, Calif.; and daughters, Jordan Hill (husband, Sam Hill) of Hoboken, N.J. and Abbey Wood of Danville, Calif. Being a father was one of the greatest joys of Lance’s life and he was immensely proud of his children.
Lance worked on Wall Street for several firms, including Paine Weber, Robertson Stephens, Leerink Swan and Macquarie. At Leerink Swan, he was a Managing Director and was tasked with opening and running their first West Coast office in San Francisco.
Along with his immediate family, Lance leaves behind his loving extended family including his parents; his brother, Rob Wood of Richmond, Va.; sister, Tara Wood of Danville, Calif.; five nieces and nephews and a long list of dear friends and people he touched over the course of his life, including fellow servicemen. Everyone who knew Lance loved his vivacious personality and contagious enthusiasm for life. He was inspiring and will be missed tremendously.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Lance’s honor to the UCSF Foundation and should reference the Neuro-Oncology Support Fund (Fund B1573) in memory of Lance Wood. www.makeagift.ucsf.edu.
Death of a Classmate: Jonathan L Hughes
Posted: 6/18/2020
Jonathan L. Hughes, 55, of Grand Forks, ND, formerly of Neche, ND, passed away Saturday, June 13, 2020, near Grand Forks, ND. Funeral Service will be held Friday, June 19, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Lutheran Church, in Cavalier, ND. Visitation will be held Thursday, June 18, 2020, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service at the church. Social distancing and wearing a mask are recommended. Funeral service will be live streamed on the Askew Funeral Home Facebook page. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Union Cemetery or the Neche Fire Department.
Click here for the funeral home memorial site.
Jon was a 1983 graduate of Neche High School. After enlisting as a Marine, Jon graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1989. Upon commission, he was assigned to Training Wing (TW-5), Pensacola, FL for flight school and was designated a Naval Aviator in June, 1991. He was reassigned to Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM)-14 in Norfolk, VA to fly the MH-53E Sea Dragon. Hughes returned to Pensacola as a flight instructor in 1995. In 1998, he left active duty but remained in the reserves, assigned to HM-15 in Corpus Christi and flew commercially for Trans World Airlines and Atlantic Coast Airlines. After returning to active duty in 2001, he was deployed in January 2003 to the Persian Gulf and again in 2004, this time as Officer-in-Charge, HM-15 Det. 2. He commanded the 90 person detachment until his transfer to Fort Worth in January, 2005. On October 1, 2006, he was promoted to Commander and assigned to the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, Fort Worth, TX. On July 15, 2007, Jon took his last command of the Navy Operational Support Center, Alameda, CA.
After retiring from the Navy in 2010, he moved to Grand Forks and flew commercially for Sky West Airlines until the time of his death. He also drove beet truck for area farmers and contracted with Trans Systems in the winter months.
Jon enjoyed traveling, camping and boating, snowmobiling, motorcycling and attending sporting events. He remained active in the VFW and spent many of his weekends on water throughout the summer. Jon also spent many evenings and weekends watching his nieces and nephews play sports.
He is survived by his mother, Judy (Bert) Warner of Pembina, brothers, Jeff Hughes, Neche, ND, Jeremy (Beth) Hughes, Thompson, ND, sisters Jackie (Steve) Johnson, Reiles Acres, ND, Laurie (Allen) Williams Montrose, CO, nephews Daniel (Sarah) Williams, Samuel Williams, Jacob Williams and Marcus Hughes, nieces Rachel Johnson, Mara (Joe) Gramling, Lauren (fiancé BJ) Johnson and Mackenzie Hughes, grand-nephews Thomas Johnson and Oliver Johnson.
He was preceded in death by his father, H. Frank Hughes, maternal grandparents, Bert and Irene Hvidsten and paternal grandparents, Howard and Doreen Hughes.
VISITATION
Thursday, June 18, 2020
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
United Lutheran Church in Cavalier (ND)
PRAYER SERVICE
Thursday, June 18, 2020
7:00 PM
United Lutheran Church in Cavalier (ND)
FUNERAL SERVICE
Friday, June 19, 2020
10:30 AM
United Lutheran Church in Cavalier (ND)
Askew Funeral Home
209 Elizabeth Street, P.O. Box 656
Cavalier, ND 58220
Phone: 701-265-4321
E-mail: askewfh@gmail.com
– Yard Gouge (Spring 2020)
Posted: 5/5/2020
Dear Classmates,
I hope this update finds you and your family well during this very challenging and difficult time. Remember, we’re all here for each other, so if you’re needing some assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Please allow me to share highlights from the recent Council of Class Presidents meeting, a twice-a-year gathering sponsored by the Alumni Association and Foundation. This spring’s meeting was virtual and well attended, with an interesting variety of important topics discussed:
Current state of USNA and the Brigade (as briefed by the Commandant, Captain Thomas R. Buchanan):
- All midshipmen are sheltering in place INCONUS, with approximately 40 to 50 midshipman residing in Bancroft Hall.
- The number of midshipmen infected by COVID is in the single digits, with no hospitalizations.
- A virtual graduation is planned for the class of 2020, with more details to be announced.
- Plebe summer will occur, with details under discussion.
Alumni Center project
- $22M building project for a 65,000 square foot building across from Bishop Stadium on King George Street.
- Construction begins October 2020, and is complete July 2022.
- August 2020 Shipmate will discuss class naming opportunities, similar to those at Navy and Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
- Expected class naming opportunities at 100K and 250K milestones.
- Individual recognition opportunities at 12.5K; this donation also counts toward the class financial milestone.
Virtual Service Academy Career Conference (SACC)
- Outstanding participation: 63 companies and 502 job seekers.
- SACC Central is online with postings for jobs.
Alumni Mentoring Program (AMP)
Almost 4,000 alumni participate in a Mentor/Protégé relationship through the Alumni Mentoring Program (AMP). Please consider participating! We have a lot to offer to fellow alumni that might be transitioning out of the service or to a new career field.
Chapel Dome Heirlooms
Renovations are currently underway to replace the aging copper dome. Herff Jones is offering heirlooms from material salvaged, to include ornaments, jewelry, challenge coins, and framed heirlooms. Click here for more information and to purchase!
Objective Zero
Objective Zero, a Class of 1998 initiative, is an app that leverages existing support networks (classmates) to provide timely support to Veterans through their hard days. The objective of the initiative is zero additional suicides. A motion was approved by the COCP to formally request that the Alumni Association and Foundation and NAAA recognize Objective Zero at Navy sporting events.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this brief update, and I’m glad to answer any questions you might have. Please feel free to contact me anytime at denise.willert@1989.usna.com.
Stay safe and healthy! Now’s the Time, 89!
Fondly, Denise
Posted by Ingar Grev on May 5, 2020
– Welcome from your new board!
Posted: 2/28/2020
Dear Classmates:
As the President of the newly elected board of class representatives, I’d like to express our deepest thanks for placing your trust and confidence in us. Our group includes Heather Purvis (VP), Tony Newpower (Treasurer), Heidi Fleming (Secretary), Joe Fagan (Operations), and Clint Carroll and Edwin Henderson (Members at Large). We are excited and honored to work with you over the next several years, and relish your feedback and suggestions in all that we do!
A million thanks are not enough to extend to those classmates who have gone before us in this role. Please let me start with Ingar Grev, who led us for approximately 20 years through four reunions and two class gifts. Words are hardly enough to say an appropriate thank you. Andy Caufield and Brian Caldwell are also two teammates who represented us brilliantly for fifteen years. And there are so many others … let us just conclude by saying that we have HUGE shoes to fill.
A special thanks to Chris Owens as the coordinator for our recent reunion, as well as all of the reunion committee. It was a brilliant success and a total blast!
Thank you to all who contributed to our class gift campaign — I’ll be sending a wrap-up email with details on this project as soon as the final accounting is complete.
I don’t want to make this too long, but just want you to know that we’re going to be working hard as a board to keep you informed, get your input, and do our very best to contribute to the lasting legacy of our class in our support of our fabulous institution.
Now’s the Time, 89!
Fondly,
Denise, Heather, Tony, Heidi, Joe, Clint and Ed
Posted February 20, 2020 by Ingar Grev
