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USMA 1965
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Class Gift Update
November
Dear Classmate, 

As the Army Rabble prepares to initiate a Berry dynasty at USMA with a convincing victory over Navy, allow me a status report on our class's contribution to the rockbound highland home. When we wrote you in July, we gave you an update on the Thayer Walk project and our '65 Forum. We also alerted you to an opportunity for the class to gain some significant recognition through an enhancement to the main entrance of the new Arvin Physical Development Center. This letter describes where we are with these initiatives and includes a page on a couple of other matters.

Class of '65 Forum on Thayer Walk

We indicated in our July letter that Phases I and II of the Thayer Walk project were underway in that we had collected:

    · the $750,000 required to secure our space on the portion of Thayer Walk in front of the library (Phase I) and sufficient funding to complete the '65 Forum, which is presently under construction (Phase II).
Phase III of the Thayer Walk project was to be the construction of a technology centerpiece to the Forum with the capability of delivering audio and video content. We had contemplated this centerpiece for the future, but we did not believe we should push for approval of this addition until we had more information about its feasibility, i.e.:
    1. Can we get sponsorship by a major USMA department?
    2. What is its specific function, i.e., does it meet a need?
    3. Will the centerpiece be durable and the display readable outdoors? 
    4. Can we get the funding (initial investment and on-going maintenance)?
    5. Who will develop and regulate the content through the centerpiece?
With respect to Question 1 above, we asked Dan Christman to elicit feedback from the major departments at USMA to determine the degree of support for the concept and to identify a possible sponsor. The response from the departments was mixed with most of them expressing concern about the viability of the concept at the existing level of technology. The bottom line from their feedback on Phase III was "not at this time." Since we cannot move forward without the sponsorship at USMA, we have put Phase III on hold until we can demonstrate the viability of the technology and gain the necessary level of support from USMA. Reinforcing the decision to defer Phase III is the fact that USMA has recently received approval to construct a new library across the street from the present library (the tennis courts in our day). This will give the Forum (and any technology centerpiece) an even more prominent place astride the new library and the science buildings (including old library). We will keep you informed on the status of the new library as well as the planning for Phase III.

Notwithstanding the decision to defer Phase III, we are still anticipating the completion of Phase II by spring 2001. The construction schedule has slipped a bit on all the Thayer Walk projects, but the delay will not result in any increased costs to our class. As we reported in July, we have an estimate from USMA that $50,000 will be a sufficient endowment to maintain the Forum. Accordingly, we have set aside the $50,000 to insure that we have an attractive and properly maintained Forum well into the future.

Class Participation in the Arvin Center

In our July letter we reported that "the academy has indicated that in exchange for a financial contribution, it would permit a high-profile recognition of the class at the inside entrance of the Arvin Gymnasium [Center] as well as a tasteful upgrading of the design features of this major cadet thoroughfare… The estimate of the price to participate and construct a fitting memorial and enhanced upgrade is close to $1 million." Although we were excited about this opportunity, we said in July that we were not comfortable subjecting our classmates to another big fund-raiser without testing the level of support that we would receive. We turned to a group of guys who had agreed to serve on a committee for the Arvin Center and asked them to look into both the design of the '65 Entrance (Design Subcommittee) and the willingness of our classmates to fund it (Funding Subcommittee). 

The Funding Subcommittee comprised:

    · Harry Dermody
    · Bob Harter
    · Dave Kuhn
    · Fred Laughlin
    · Rollie Stichweh
Most of the effort these past three months has been expended by the Funding Committee, whose members have been talking with selected classmates to determine the level of financial support that we could muster if we committed to funding the '65 Entrance. We have been greatly encouraged by the positive response. More to the point, some 60 classmates have estimated that they could get us over two-thirds of our goal of $1,000,000 before the June 30, 2002 deadline. While we admittedly went to those classmates who were strong contributors to past class fund-raisers, the Funding Subcommittee believes that there will be even more support for the '65 Entrance to the Arvin Center than for Thayer Walk. Of our classmates who have responded to the opportunity for the '65 Entrance many have expressed enthusiasm for a section being dedicated to our classmates who lost their lives in Vietnam. Based upon the recommendation of the Funding Subcommittee, the class officers have authorized a campaign to raise funds sufficient to sponsor the '65 Entrance.

With the favorable feedback on our funding inquiries and the decision to commit to the project, the Design Subcommittee will begin its work. It comprises the following classmates:

    · Bob Doughty (Chair)
    · John Howell
    · Nate Kantor
    · Ed Knauf
    · Chuck Moseley
    · Terry Ryan
    · Jose Sanchez
    · Ross Wollen
Bob has talked with the USMA point of contact on the Arvin Center to initiate discussions on what we can do with the '65 Entrance. To give us a feel for the entrance space, we have received two renderings of possible designs, which the Funding Subcommittee used to communicate with the selected classmates during its assessment of funding levels. As one of its first activities, the Design Subcommittee will be developing a process for gathering ideas as to the content (e.g., dedication to classmates lost in Vietnam) and layout of the '65 Entrance and then vetting the design options with the class. We will communicate that process as soon as it is finalized - probably by early spring 2001. In the meantime, if you have a thought about the design, feel free to communicate with Bob at USMA (address: Department of History, USMA, West Point, NY 10996; email: kr0724@exmail.usma.edu). 

Next Step - Reaching the Rest of the Class

Harry Dermody has graciously accepted the call again to chair the fund-raising effort with Bob Harter as his Vice-Chairman. They will be the points of contact for the fund-raising. We have enclosed a pledge card with this letter to avoid a separate mailing and to allow those who want to send in a check before the end of the tax year. Be encouraged to respond. Otherwise, Harry will commence to fret and fume and make life miserable for Kay. We have been delighted by the generosity of so many classmates who have already responded to the '65 Entrance; but Harry will not relax until he sees us reach the $1 million goal. Watch your mailbox. Pledge early and often. 

Some Final Paragraphs - Not About Fund-Raising 

Although we have given substantial space in our communications to the subject of fund-raising, it is not all we do as a class. Indeed it is not the most important thing that we do. Anyone who reads the Assembly is aware of this as Denny Coll gives us periodic updates on classmates and class activities. Denny has been a faithful scribe and class leader since any of us can remember. While this may be a compliment that diminishes with our age, Denny's leadership has not escaped attention as he has recently been named the Northern Illinois civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army. Send notes of congratulations to Denny at dc65scribe@aol.com. Send also something that Denny needs to write a story on Dan Christman as he heads into the homestretch as Supe. Denny asks that you share stories involving Dan as a cadet, officer, engineer, Supe, whatever or whenever. Denny would prefer that the stories be true, but with our memories, who's to know?

On a sad note, our deepest condolences go to Mert Munson and his family on the death of Mert's wife Gerry, who died suddenly in their Houston home on October 8. As in other times, many classmates were able to attend the funeral at West Point on October 19 and pay their respects. Supporting each other during such times is a large part of who we are as a class. 

Allow me one more minute to describe a recent class gathering that meant a lot to Maralee and me. Last month, Terry and Nancy Ryan, who live on a farm outside Washington, DC, hosted a Class of '65 Octoberfest, which was attended by over 80 classmates and their wives from the DC area. It was a lovely setting and a terrific opportunity to get caught up. As such events often are, the Octoberfest was a reminder of how close we have stayed as a class even though we see each other so seldom. To underscore the point, Carol Maimone, Manny's widow, and their daughter Lauren joined us at the party. During a casual conversation with some classmates Carol mentioned that she was participating in a Walk-a-Thon for ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) research (Manny died of ALS). Less than an hour later, everyone assembled for a photo-op. After a series of photos and an administrative announcement or two, Carol was asked to step forward to receive over $400 in cash that had been collected from those attending as a contribution to the Walk-a-Thon. Needless to say, Carol and Lauren were genuinely touched by the gesture. 

Raising $400 from 40 couples in an hour is not likely to make the evening news. It was, however, a symbol of what we are about as a class. When our classmates have been made aware of a need or an opportunity, they have responded, whether it has involved a $1,000,000 gift to the school that brought us together or a $400 contribution to the memory of a classmate who has left us.

The gesture of our classmates last month also reminded me of the responsibility we have as your class officers. If we can make you aware of opportunities, you respond. We must, therefore, be alert to those opportunities and communicate them to you in a clear and timely way. In that vein, we are looking at how we can be more effective in using the Internet, leveraging off the good work of the AOG and our classmate Chuck Nichols. More on that in the next letter.

It's no wonder that I look forward to seeing many of you on December 2 as we celebrate our success as a class and watch Army dismantle the hapless Middies. Indeed, we have much to cheer about.

With gratitude and respect,

Fred Laughlin