West Point Class of 1989

We are pleased to announce that Mr. William J. Perry is to receive the 2008 Thayer Award for his many years of selfless service as a gifted and tireless statesman.  Perry’s tenure as the 19th Secretary of Defense (1994-1997) marked a time of significant change for the armed forces.  Perry is widely recognized as the father of stealth technology, though he also directed personnel, infrastructure, and ever-changing mission requirements with brilliant leadership.

There are five recipients of the Distinguished Graduate Award for 2008:  Dell Dailey ’71; James V. Kimsey ’62; Clarence E. McKnight, Jr. ’52; Wallace H. Nutting ’50; and John A. Shaud ’56. 

Dell Dailey ’71 is currently an Ambassador-at-Large as the Coordinator for Counterterrorism in the Department of State.  He was nominated by his classmates for over 35 years of selfless and distinguished active military and civilian service to the Nation, service that included assignments as the Assistant Division Commander of the 101st Airborne Division and Commander of the Joint Special Operations Command.  Dell Dailey has clearly demonstrated the broad national significance of West Point.

Over the past ten years, a number of new structures have dramatically changed the landscape at West Point; James Kimsey’s name is on one of these.  But his achievements go well beyond this building at his alma mater.  James V. Kimsey ’62 received a nomination from his classmates for being a patriot, exemplary business leader, philanthropist and global humanitarian.   Endorsements from many prominent figures – including Bob Dole, Colin Powell, and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. – echoed this testimony.

The West Point Class of 1952 nominated Clarence E. McKnight, Jr. for over five decades of visionary leadership and powerful dual legacies.  He is an internationally recognized authority on military telecommunications, and a pioneer in the application of communications technology to education.  Distance learning has poised future generations around the world for lifelong access to education.

Wallace H. Nutting ’50 received his class’ nomination for being a model soldier/statesman, civic leader, and educator.  Having attained the rank of general and serving 35 years of active military service, he retired and immersed himself in community affairs and supporting military and civilian (especially adult) education.  As recent Mayor of Biddeford, Maine, he restored stability to the administration and led a surge in the renaissance of the city.

The classmates of John A. Shaud ’56 wanted to recognize his service of more than five decades promoting the advancement of freedom and the well-being of all members of the US Armed Forces.  Shaud is a member of the proud community of West Point graduates who have attained the rank of four-star general in the Air Force, and his final assignment was leading the largest international military staff in history through the end of the Cold War.  Since retiring in 1991, his principal focus has been mentoring and supporting fellow airmen.

LTG Hagenback asked some distinguished graduates and frends of the Academy to take an outside look at Army Football and give some ideas and suggestions.  He issued a two-page report of their findings recently.

The Times-Herald has an interesting article on "Why Army Football Matters":  

These are tough guys preparing to face a tough world. They want to go against the best, and not fall back on any excuses like the special academic circumstances at Army that limit recruiting, or the fact a cadet's life is hardly the same as a basket-weaving major at Gridiron State.

To those closest to it, there's just no imagining life without Army football.

I'm not sure what has changed since the '80s when Army had both "special academic circumstances…that limit recruiting" and appearances in bowl games.

The class web site is undergoing an update.  Check back soon for new stories.  Until then, there might be a few things that don't work.

This is an exciting time to be at West Point, and I am very honored to serve as your Vice President for Alumni Support.  In recent years our programs for graduates and cadets have steadily grown and matured.  Your contributions have been essential to the enhancements.  In the years ahead I look forward to working with you to develop new ways to support alumni and encourage them to reconnect with West Point.

My seven years at the AOG, along with seven on the faculty in the ‘80s and ‘90s, have impressed upon me a number of themes: the passion alumni have for the Academy; the extraordinary dedication, enthusiasm, and capabilities of the Corps of Cadets; how critical diversity is to optimizing our capabilities as a cohesive community of alumni; and the magic in the words West Point. We have a lot to build on as we reinforce the commitment of our active members and seek to attract new participants to activities connected to West Point.

Our Alumni Support staff is superb.  It is led by Maryellen Picciuto ’86 (Organizational Support), Joel Jebb ’82 (Class Support), Jay Olejniczak ’61 (Publications), and Duston Sanders ’72, who joins the Alumni Support Office as Chief of Alumni Support Operations, following a number of years in Development.  I look forward to continuing to work with John Calabro ’68, now our Association’s Chief Operating Officer.  John and I have been friends and colleagues since my first tour in the Department of English in 1982.  As many of you well know, the program assistants and administrative and technical staff in alumni support do much of the heavy lifting.  Each of them is dedicated, smart, and enthusiastic, always willing to help.

A wonderful Homecoming Weekend recently concluded here.  For many who returned to our alma mater, the weekend was capped off by The Miracle at Michie—Army’s overtime win over Tulane.  It was a game for the ages,  with a season’s worth of excitement in the final minutes.  Images of Kevin Dunn’s Hail Mary TD pass to Mike Wright as time expired and of the Corps as the cadets hoisted Kevin above the sea of white sierra shirts after the game will endure.  They called to mind the scene at the Holleder Center following the final buzzer when the women’s basketball team won the  Patriot League Championship over Holy Cross in 2006—a spontaneous outpouring of enthusiasm and pride among the Corps.

Last Friday, the Superintendent spoke to the large reunion audience in Eisenhower Hall.  LTG Hagenbeck ’71 talked informally with the group for more than an hour and then responded to questions.  I wanted share a few items with you and your society members:

• The Academy will continue to look for new ways to enhance and expand its connection and immediate relevance to the Army.
• USMA has become the center of gravity for the Nation’s fight against terrorism.
• Help is needed in making West Point more widely known and recognized, especially in African-American communities.
• USMA’s physical program (physical education courses and other elements in the program) is the best anywhere.
• The winning attitude—an expectation and determination to win—is absolutely critical to preparing cadets for the Army.
• Coaches are expected to “win more than they lose and beat Navy.”
• West Point’s emphasis on moral-ethical training and education is very significant to the Army.
• Preventing alcohol and sexually related problems and misconduct continues to be a matter of emphasis and concern: a culture where cadets take care of one another and anticipate and prevent problems is one of the keys to improving in this area.
• The Academy leadership is very pleased with the balance of civilian and military instructors: 22% civilian; 60% rotating military; and 18% senior military.  The Superintendent and Dean of the Academic Board Brigadier General Pat Finnegan ‘71 praised the dedication and values of the civilian instructors.
• The Commandant of Cadets, Brigadier General Robert Caslen ’75, told the audience about the realism and intensity of training for the Yearling class at Forward Operating Base Buckner. He said that future Yearling summers would include more time for socialization, getting to know classmates and reenergizing for the upcoming year.  He briefly described Saturday military training during the academic year, saying that it largely focuses largely on training planning and collective training events.

Before closing I would like you all to know that we are in near-daily conversation with the Academy regarding the Founder’s Day speaker assignments.  As of this morning, the Academy’ senior leaders were reviewing the proposed speaking assignments.  As soon as the list is made final, Vince McDermott, Chief of Alumni Affairs, will inform you.  He is well aware of the urgency of this announcement, knowing that facility booking hinges on the commitment of speakers.

That’s a quick update from the Alumni Center on a beautiful Hudson Valley fall weekend.  In closing, I want to thank you for all you do in cooperation with the staff here at Herbert Hall, for fellow alumni, and, by extension, for West Point and the Corps.  I look forward to meeting with you in the years ahead and in leading our Association’s support of your work on behalf of West Point and the Long Gray Line.

Beat Navy!

Jim Johnston ’73

Lieutenant Colonel, USA (Ret.)

Vice President for Alumni Support