A Message From Our Class President Regarding Fundraising
September 13, 1996
Dear Graduate,
I want to bring you up to date on our Class fund raising campaign. Several
weeks ago, Tim Petit represented our Class at the 2nd Annual West Point Class
Leaders Conference. This conference offered our Class a great opportunuity to
discuss and exchange Class fund raising ideas with other USMA Class leaders.
During the conference, the Superintendent announced that the Academy must
overcome a 10% budget reduction ($20 million) beginning in 1998. This budget
reduction was originally programmed for a phased 10% reduction over six years.
The Superintendent also noted that fund raising is one of his major priorities. Now more than ever,
Classes are playing an ever increasing role in helping to reduce the widening
gap between what West Point needs and what tax dollars can provide. The
Superintendent's comments should reassure us all that our class gift project to support Cadet Activities is
important to the Military Academy.
In order to reach our fund raising goal, we have decided to hire a professional
communications firm. The Association of Graduates has been successfully using
one such firm, IDC, for the past four years. The Class of '85 will be
kicking-off its fund raising campaign in the next few weeks.
Within the next few days, you will be received a letter from Tony De Vore.
Please take the time to read Tony's letter. The letter will address West
Point's need for private moneys and the Class of 1985's plan to aid the
Academy. We have been working hard to assist the Class of 1985 in its effort to raise over $250,000 to support
Cadet Activities. I urge you to carefully consider Tony's letter and the Class
of 1985's project. Thank you and best wishes.
BEAT NAVY,
John Lopes
President
Class of 1985