Association of Graduates Honorary Members
ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY
1996
Local AOG chapter creates the Appointee Bed and Breakfast Program. Each year, the Association of Graduates, with the assistance of the Rampart Chapter of the AOG, facilitates the opportunity for appointees who are traveling by themselves for Inprocessing to stay at the homes of local Academy graduates, faculty, staff and friends. In recent years, as many as 350 appointees have participated in this annual program.
June 8, 1996
The Association of Graduates purchases a gyrfalcon and presents it to the Academy. The cadets name the white falcon Aurora.
1997
The AOG takes over the procurement of class rings and oversight of ring heritage. On the second floor of Doolittle Hall exists a collection of every USAFA class ring—all have been worn by Academy graduates.
April 3, 1998
The first annual Founders Day Dinner is held at Doolittle Hall. The event has evolved into one of the great celebrations held in honor of our nation’s service academies.
July, 1999
Col. (Ret.) Jim Shaw ’67 is hired as the AOG’s second CEO. He serves in the position until 2008.
2001
The AOG and the Academy name the institution’s first two Distinguished Graduates: Gen. (Ret.) Ronald Fogleman ’63 and Mr. Harry J. Pearce ’64. Subsequently, 24 more members of the Long Blue Line have received this singular honor.
December 2003
The Association of Graduates new website, www.usafa.org, goes live. Its predecessor, www. aog-usafa.org, dates back to 1998. USAFA.org has won two Council for Advancement and Support of Education awards for excellence in the past two years. It contains a wealth of resources including a searchable grad directory, an events calendar, Checkpoints Online and much, much, more. Browse the AOG Gift Shop Online to find the perfect gift for any Falcon.
2004
The AOG establishes the WebGuy program allowing AOG members, parents and friends of cadets nationwide to follow the progress of their loved one as they tackle the many challenges of the Academy. In 2013, over 180,000 pictures were taken and the WebGuy website received a staggering 5.6 million page views during BCT.
June 17, 2004
The Class of 1959 Challenge Bridge is dedicated at Doolittle Hall. During Inprocessing, members of the Class of 1959 read the challenge to incoming appointees before they cross to bridge to begin their Basic Cadet Training.
Name Gail McComas* Robert Smith* Barry Goldwater* Frieda Weber William Tutt* James Conboy* Joseph Reich* Russell Tutt* James Doolittle* Joseph Moller* Harold Littrell William Lyon Robert McDermott* Norma Nottingham Donald Barrett* James Bowman Harold Stuart* Malham Walkin Benjamin Bellis Dorothy Moller* Gregory Kolligian* John Kirkpatrick* Ben Martin* AP Clark* Fisher DeBerry William Hybl Philip Erdle* Winfield Scott James McCarthy Nancy Burns Edmund Ladouceur Janet Edwards Benjamin Cassiday Jr. Dean Wilson* Gregory Lengyel
Date Awarded 10/03/1981 10/29/1983 04/18/1984 03/15/1985 01/01/1986 03/04/1986 03/04/1986 05/06/1986 12/02/1989 12/02/1989 08/21/1992 08/21/1992 08/21/1992 05/07/1994 02/10/1995 02/10/1995 02/10/1995 02/10/1995 02/10/1995 11/17/1995 05/10/1997 02/07/1998 11/12/1999 04/12/2001 05/12/2001 07/14/2001 11/16/2001 11/02/2002 08/07/2004 05/14/2005 05/06/2011 08/03/2012 05/06/2012 02/01/2013 05/23/2014
* Indicates member is deceased.
May 11, 2007
The Memorial Pavilion at the Cemetery is dedicated. The Pavilion, funded by the Association of Graduates, provides a beautiful and dignified indoor facility for events during inclement weather.
January, 2008
Gary Howe ’69 is hired as the third AOG President and
CEO while the AOG conducts a nation-wide search.
August, 2008
The AOG hires William “T” Thompson ’73 as its fourth President and CEO. w
Checkpoints 60th Anniversary Edition
43