– Yard Gouge Fall 2024

Posted: 7/19/2024

Council of Class Presidents meeting, April 2024

Dear classmates – here is a summary of the presentations provided at our Spring Council of Class Presidents meeting, held in April 2024 in Annapolis. If you have any questions, please let me know.

Best wishes,

Denise

Chet Gladchuck, Athletic Director:

— We have won the President’s Cup for nine consecutive years, which recognizes the top athletic program in the Patriot League
— We are number four in the nation for Academic All-Americans; 173 in the last 20 years
— Top ten NCAA graduation success rate at 95 percent
— Navy football is back! Coach Newberry has Chet’s full confidence. Army-Navy is in Washington, DC this year.

Dr. Samara Firebaugh, Provost and Academic Dean:

— Priorities are Stewardship of the Core curriculum; increasing cultural awareness; geopolitical knowledge; foreign languages
— War-gaming has been ramped up dramatically and project-based learning initiatives abound
— Flooding events: one of our Trident scholars has been working on infrastructure resilience and the impact on the broader armed forces

VADM Yvette Davids, Superintendent:

— Her priorities: Dignity and Respect, a positive and inclusive environment; Culture of Excellence, war fighting, readiness and sense of urgency
— SECNAV is helping us to address the sea level rise that VADM Buck worked on diligently during his tenure
— The Commandant will change from Colonel J.P. McDonough to Captain Walter H. Allman, the first Navy SEAL Commandant
— VADM Davids was in awe of her Change of Command experience, most importantly regarding Alumni Support to include the “Ladies of the 80s”
— Bancroft Hall last renovated almost 30 years ago; Phase Zero will begin in August in T-Court and the Rotunda areas.
— Athletic Excellence and the Physical Mission are important. We are in the right league with our teams and the games are extraordinary.
— The support for Women’s sports has gained tremendous momentum.
— We have world-class programs in the arts: chorus, band and theater, for example
— Manning the Fleet: We are producing what the Fleet needs. Most recently: 15,147 applications for 1200 admissions. 43.9 percent minorities, 32.1 percent females.
— VADM Davids is incredibly proud to be here at USNA and filled with pride to be the Superintendent.

Mr. Jeff Webb, CEO and President, USNA Alumni Association and Foundation:

— Values: Integrity, respect, service, teamwork, growth with a goal to connect, communication, support and anchor
— Considering the idea of having a staff member dedicated to reunions
— Issue of the PCI mailing to update the database was addressed; Jeff apologized for the quirkiness of the process.

Heidi Linzini, Class of 1995 — 2026 will be the 50th anniversary of women at the Academies. This will be a milestone event.

Additional:

— USNA ranked number one in 2021 as a premier public institution
— 16 exchange and faculty staff at USNA
— 16 academic departments and 26 academic majors
— International programs have 450 to 500 midshipmen engaged each year

Have a great day, everyone!
“Now’s the Time, 89!”
Warmly, Denise

Click here to download the minutes

Posted by Ingar Grev on behalf of Denise Willert on 7/18/24


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