HERE.
J.T. Smith,
Class News Editor
Ken Alnwick,
USAFA '60 Scribe
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"On March 4, the Association of Graduates announced our certified 2025 election results and noted that the board of directors would vote this month to appoint two new directors. I am pleased to share that Gen. (Ret.) David D. Thompson ’85 and Maj. Jennifer N. Walters ’11 have been selected to join the board as our newest appointed directors. The vote on their appointments was unanimous (13-0) among the directors voting.
"Under our bylaws, the board of directors, which governs the AOG, consists of 11 elected directors, up to four appointed directors and the president of the Class Advisory Senate — for a total of 16 directors. Elected and appointed directors serve four-year terms. Following our biennial election cycles, the board appoints two graduates to the board, as we did on April 5, 2021, April 3, 2023, and now March 19, 2025 (the minutes from the March 19 meeting will be posted soon). In the case of the two newly appointed directors, their specific expertise and experience benefit the governance of our Association and align with the Joint Strategic Plan for 2023-2028. Gen. Thompson brings with him a wealth of U.S. Space Force experience and Maj. Walters’ experience as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff speechwriter contribute greatly to the experience of our board. The board also strives, when possible, to ensure every decade of the Long Blue Line has a seat at the table. Additionally, we want to make sure we have active-duty graduates on the board.
"Gen. Thompson and Maj. Walters had both submitted letters of interest, and the board met earlier today (March 19), following the scheduling of the meeting on February 18 and the issuance of the agenda on March 11, to discuss all interested candidates and vote on the appointments. The five newly elected directors and the two newly appointed directors will take their seats at the regularly scheduled April 25 meeting and, under our bylaws, serve four-year terms.
"This is my final communication as chair of the AOG board of directors. Serving on the board and chairing this wonderful group of graduates has been among the greatest honors of my life. Our Association is in good hands, and I look forward to doing all I can to support the onboarding of our newly elected and appointed board directors and our efforts to support the Academy, serve graduates and preserve the heritage of the institution. Thank you for the opportunity to serve.
Very Respectfully,
/signed/
Maj Gen (Ret.) Brian Bishop ’83
Chairman, Association of Graduates Board of Directors
On a phone call to Les Querry, Bill revealed that his wife, Anne, passed away on 21 December.
Services were held on 10 January at the Omps Funeral Home in Winchester, VA. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetary at a future date.
Those wishing to leave condolences or read Anne's obituary may do so on the funeral home's website by clicking HERE.
Donations in Anne's honor should be made to:
- Blue Ridge Hospice.
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
- Johns Hopkins Viragh Center for Pancreatic Cancer.
"I hope this note finds you all well. My brother Chris and I wanted to share some sad news with you: our father, Michael [A.] Clarke, passed away on Tuesday. He had been battling a number of chronic conditions and then took a bad fall on 12/24 from which he couldn't recover. He died at 86 on January 14, which is 13 years, to the day, that our mom passed away. There's some beautiful symmetry there, I think.
"We are planning a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery where he and our mom will be interred together. The timeline is 12+ months, but we will let you all know when we have a firm date if case anyone is able to attend.
Those wishing to contact Suzanne may do so by clicking HERE.
When more information becomes available, it will be posted here.
This from AOG Director of Heritage Michele Bergeman:
"I need your help! I’m reaching out as we are looking for pictures from each graduating class, without using yearbook photographs. Please share the flyer amongst your classmates as you never know who has a photo collection!
"If you could have them sent to me by 17 January 2025.
"Thank you in advance and have a wonderful Holiday season!
Michele Bergeman
michele.bergeman@usafa.org
Jim GLAZA adds, "This will be for the graduate exhibits in the new visitors' center. I will be sending you a preview briefing of what the center will look like as soon as I get answers a couple more questions in that regard. Michelle says she would prefer a digital format if available, the more the better."