“WE’RE TRYING TO BE INNOVATIVE AND CREATIVE TO HELP CREATE THAT MARGIN OF EXCELLENCE THAT GOVERNMENT RESOURCES DON’T ALWAYS GIVE US.
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AOG Chief Operating Officer Marty Marcolongo ’88 spoke about the mission and activities of the Association of Graduates during the Parents Club Presidents’ Conference.
“We’re trying to be innovative and creative to help create that margin of excellence that government resources don’t always give us,” Lt. Gen. Johnson said. Lt. Gen. Johnson outlined several current and future efforts that will transpire in the years to come. She noted that the Cadet Chapel will be closed for renovations from 2018-2020. She reported that the library, Sijan Hall and the Planetarium are all slated for renovation projects in the coming months. She also noted that a new Visitor Center will be constructed in the next few years outside the North Gate, to enhance the visitor experience. USAFA’s new cyber center, dubbed CyberWorx, has been launched and will partner with the private sector to work on improved cyber security and reliability for the nation and the military. Lt. Gen. Johnson also told the Parents Club presidents that the Academy is working to reduce the number of cadets who leave the in-
stitution prior to graduation. Current statistics suggest that about 24 percent of those students who start at USAFA do not finish their instruction — an average of about 8 percent leave during their first year, 8 percent during their second year, 6 percent as juniors and 2 percent as seniors. Those figures do not compare favorably with the sister academies, so USAFA leaders are trying to identify the reasons cadets leave and figure out ways to better shepherd cadets to the finish line. “Is it something we’re doing?” Johnson asked. “Is it the altitude? I don’t know.” Brig. Gen. Stephen Williams ‘89, USAFA commandant of cadets, said too many new cadets apply to the Academy due to family pressure. Others are attracted to the institution because it’s a “free education,” he added. “It’s not free … you earn your education at the Academy,” he said. “You’re working your tail off as a cadet… But it’s worth it in the end.”
Brig. Gen. Williams said it might be helpful to let prospective cadets better understand the expectations and challenges they will face during their four years at the Academy. A number of other speakers provided brief presentations during the day-long conference. Marty Marcolongo ‘88, the chief operating officer for the USAFA Association of Graduates, talked about his organization’s efforts to support current cadets, preserve Air Force heritage and support/communicate with its membership. Bill Preston, AOG parent programs coordinator, spoke briefly about WebGuy and other Parents Club programs that the AOG supports. He noted that the AOG offers free website hosting that will promote continuity for clubs that are in a leadership transition. Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Mark Volcheff ’73, president and chief executive officer for the USAFA Endowment, spoke about the impact of donor dollars on a cadet’s experience at the Academy. “Donors touch the Academy every single day … elevating the excellence of what the Academy does,” he said. He outlined the numerous Endowment funds that individuals can donate to, which include funds for a specific purpose as well as undesignated funds. Kimberly Tebrugge ’92, director of strategic communications at USAFA, urged parents to help tell the story of the Academy. She noted that too often young people are unaware of the opportunities available at the Academy and in the Air Force. Over the coming months, Tebrugge said the Academy will be conducting a survey to gather comments and suggestions from parents and other supporters of the institution. Other speakers provided advice and suggestions for club presidents as they work to increase membership and support the mission of USAFA. December 2016