– 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
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