Classmates,
The All Academy Challenge started today, and our classmate, Rusty Cone, has offered a challenge of his own – once the class of 1978 reaches 100 donors, a $5,000 gift to our class project will be unlocked. This should be easy as last year we had 367 classmates participate in the Challenge. Remember, the Academy that wins the Challenge is the one that has the greatest level of alumni participating. Any amount from $5 and up counts.
Last year the Challenge raised $1,249,226* for the Naval Academy. This is how that money was spent:
Academics – $296,994
Admissions – $30,758
Alumni Center – $78,793
Athletics – $215,226
Leadership and Ethics – $208,304
Unrestricted – $419,150
(*64% OF ALL RAISED FUNDS WERE DESIGNATED BY THE DONORS FOR A SPECIFIC AREA OF SUPPORT)
This is also an opportunity to make a gift supporting the first half of ‘78’s 50th Class Gift by gifting to the Alumni Center. If you want to be a plank owner of the new Alumni Center go to this link for more information, www.usna.com/support/plankowner or, if you are ready to become a plank owner go to www.usna.com/give/plankowner. To be a plank owner you make a pledge of $2,500 per year for five years or make a one time gift of $12,500 or more.
If you want to support ‘78’s 50th Class Gift for the Alumni Center and meet Rusty’s challenge at a level less than being a plank owner, go to this link: Navy (allacademychallenge.com) You can still choose to have your gift support the new Alumni Center.
Last year, ‘78 was second to ‘84 in the 2020 All Academy Challenge. Let’s see if we can get our participation rate up from last year’s 367. Go hard, ‘78!
I will keep you posted on our progress but it might not be until the last day of the Challenge, Thursday, May 20. I am having knee surgery Tuesday for a torn meniscus and might not get online until Thursday. You can always get an update by going to the All Academy Challenge website: Navy (allacademychallenge.com)
Fair winds,
Glen
Glen Woods
President, USNA Class of 1978