Class Gift Update

CHAIR's COMMENTS

BRET'S LETTER

GIFT OPTIONS

GIFT COMMITTEE

United States Military Academy

                                                          August 4, 2000

To the youthful ol' grads of 1980:

     Greetings and best wishes to you and all members of our Class families. I hope this letter finds you healthy and closing in on a life of contentment, as well as looking forward to our rapidly approaching 20th Reunion, which officially begins with a Supper Reception at the Woodcliff Lakes Hilton on October 19th.
     It seems hard to believe that so much time has passed since our graduation two decades ago, but we should all have plenty to catch up on when we get together for what promises to be a great time at our "Rockbound Highland Home."
     Today, I am writing specifically to request your support for our Class Gift to West Point. Over the last several months, the members of our Gift Committee have coordinated closely with the AOG to compile the following slate of ideas for your consideration. After reading through the list and carefully considering each option, I ask that you take two actions:

1) Vote for your favorite option by returning the enclosed ballot as soon as you can.

2) Determine the level of financial support you feel is appropriate and prepare to make your pledge either before or during our Reunion.

     I should begin by putting the selection of our Class Gift in context for you. Because of recent reductions in federal financial support, our Alma Mater has begun to rely more, heavily on private donations to fund cadet programs and facilities that are not considered to be included in USMA's core academic and military requirements. As a result, many of the extracurricular activities which we all remember doing after class and on weekends during our West Point experience -- now called "Margin of Excellence" programs -- are in danger of ending.
     In reaction to this situation, the AOG, in coordination with the Supe, initiated a comprehensive capital campaign to raise private dollars to support the Margin of Excellence programs for which government funding is no longer available. This effort coincides with the Academy's Bicentennial, and targets a comprehensive list of programs that the Supe, his staff, and the Department Heads have approved. The idea is to combine appropriated and private dollars as efficiently as possible in order to retain the essence of the West Point experience as the preeminent leader development institution in the world.
     With this context as backdrop, our Gift Committee has conducted its deliberations with the goal of presenting an approved gift slate for your consideration now, and announcing the results of our vote during the Class Business Meeting Friday afternoon during the Reunion. So please get your pen ready to make your selection from among the following gift proposals:

a. Michie Stadium Athletic Center (MSAC) - Half-time Room ($500,000): The MSAC is a 120,000 square foot complex that will support five intercollegiate sports and approximately 485 athletes, with indirect support for many more. Our contribution will be recognized by a plaque with our Class crest on both entrances to the room and on the Bicentennial Campaign Donor Plaque at Eisenhower Hall and at the Visitor's Center.

b. Domestic Affairs Forum Endowment ($575,000): The Domestic Affairs Forum (DAF) is a domestic policy club that sponsors four major trips each year to expose cadets to policymakers and shapers in government, business, and the media to enhance their understanding of the American political landscape and help them comprehend the role of the Army in American society. Our contribution will be recognized at Lincoln Hall in the Department of Social Sciences area and on the Bicentennial Campaign Donor Plaque at Eisenhower Hall and at the Visitor's Center.

c. The Center for Enhanced Performance (CEP) Endowment for MultiMedia Equipment ($425,000): The CEP is devoted to teaching and training the key mental and academic skills that enhance high performance in any situation including athletics, academics and leadership roles. This teaching and training enables cadets to further develop their confidence under pressure, concentration amidst distractions and composure during times of stress. Using state-of-the-art multi-media production equipment, the Center produces 75 to 100 videotapes each year that are used to develop the Academy's leader-athletes. Additionally, tapes a-re made to enhance the cadet performance of various military skills. This endowment will be used to insure that quality audio-video equipment is available to provide support to cadets. In recognition of our gift the Center would be named after our class and we would be recognized on the Bicentennial Campaign Plaque at Eisenhower Hall.

d. Competitive Sports Endowment ($500,000): There are roughly 27 team and individual sport clubs (such as water polo, crew, women's lacrosse, marathon running, sport parachuting, etc.), which require financial support to continue operating and competing in regional and national championships. Our gift would contribute to an overall competitive sports club endowment target of $14.5 million, and would be recognized on a Bicentennial Campaign Donor Plaque in Eisenhower Hall.

e. Bicentennial Unrestricted Gift ($500,000): As described in the May/June 2000 edition of the Assembly, this represents a newly created category of gift which gives the Supe flexibility to apply our Class donation to meet those needs of the Bicentennial Campaign that have not been fulfilled. Our contribution will be recognized on the Bicentennial Campaign Donor Plaque at Eisenhower Hall and at the Visitor's Center. Additionally, our Class will mount a plaque at the southeast comer of the Superintendent's garden's wall - the DUTY Corner. The Classes of '82 and '83 already have pledged $500,000 Unrestricted to the Bicentennial Campaign and they are working with the AOG and USMA to finalize this recognition plan at this highly visible location across from Arvin Gymnasium.

     I trust you will agree that this is a significant and timely undertaking, and one that will become a great source of pride for our Class.
     Bottom line: All that is left now is for you to cast your vote and to follow the leadership of our Class Officers and the members of the Gift Committee as we seek to continue to serve our most hallowed alma mater.

See you in October!