 |
| Congratulations to the Class of 2023 |
 The Class of 2023 and the U.S. Naval Academy community celebrated Commissioning Week from 19-26 May. From kicking off the week with various award ceremonies to the newly commissioned U.S. Naval and Marine Corps Officers tossing their caps during the commissioning ceremony, we were thrilled to welcome back alumni, legacy parents, and Another Link in the Chain representatives. View the photos from the graduation ceremony. |
 |
| Romano '23 Awarded Knight-Hennessy Scholarship |
 Alex Romano, 22, of Dumfries, VA, was recently named a 2023 Knight-Hennessy Scholar. The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program provides full funding for students to pursue a graduate degree at Stanford University. Romano is one of 85 scholars selected to the program’s sixth cohort of students. More than 7,000 candidates competed for one of the 85 scholarships awarded. Romano, who recently graduated on 26 May, intends to pursue a master’s degree in aeronautics and astronautics at Stanford School of Engineering. |
|
| Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month |
 The month of May denotes several events in Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) history, including the immigration of the first Japanese people to the United States on 7 May 1843. The AAPI communities have roots that span the globe, their success stories are uniquely American. As an alumni community, we celebrate the achievements of AAPI alumni and the milestones they have reached in serving the nation. View our Asian-Pacific American History Month webpage and the various coverage posted on our social media channels: Facebook and Instagram. Listen to the SECNAV’s video message. |
| |
|
|
| |
| Board Election Results and New Chapter Turnover |
 Congratulations to Darryl Smith ’88 and Jen Tyll ’01 for their recent election victories to represent the Central and Eastern regions (respectively) as trustees on the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association Board of Trustees (BOT). During the spring meeting (12 May), the BOT welcomed four new chapter trustees and recognized the Tampa Bay chapter as one of nine large chapters represented on the board, effective May 2024. The BOT also thanked the outgoing trustees for their outstanding volunteer service during their terms. Read more about all the recent updates at Board and Chapter Updates. |
|
| The Service Academy Career Conference Experience |
 From alumni-owned small businesses, to Fortune 100 companies, to franchising opportunities and advanced education at its finest, the Washington, DC SACC, held on 5-6 May, had it all. On Thursday, candidates were treated to a variety of engaging seminars and the SACC Social—a prime networking opportunity. Friday’s career fair was full of opportunity—candidates and recruiters making connections, hundreds of interviews conducted, and many job offers made. Enjoy these lively event highlights from DC SACC! If you are about to make a career transition or if your organization needs exceptional talent, register for the upcoming San Diego SACC in August! Visit the SACC website for details or contact SACC by email. |
|
| USNA Rugby Rallies to Win First National Championship |
 The journey for the Navy men’s rugby team (18-0) in its first varsity season concluded with the Navy men’s rugby first Division I-A National Championship by a final score of 28-22 over No. 5 California (13-4) in Houston, TX. Despite facing their largest deficit of the season (15 points) and trailing more than 60 minutes, the Mids came from behind to earn their second victory of the season against the Golden Bears. Flanker Tanner Russell was named the College Rugby Association of America (CRAA) DI-A National Championship Player of the Match. “It wasn't until the kick went out and the final whistle was blown that I felt this match was over. To go down, 15-0, to Cal and claw back to win this game is remarkable and this team earned the right to call themselves national champions,” said Director of Rugby Gavin Hickie. Watch the Navy men’s rugby video highlights. |
|
| USNA Alumni Travel in 2023-24 |
 Spring has sprung and our alumni are thinking about their next vacation! Bookings are strong in 2023 and the 2024 Alumni Travel Catalog will arrive in homes soon. Please take a look at both the 2023 and 2024 travel schedules, if you’re shopping for your next big adventure. We are also booking packages for Army-Navy in Boston, MA, so don’t delay if you want to stay at the team hotel and cheer on Navy in December. It’s time to explore the world! |
|
| Making An Impact Through USNA Professorships |
 At one time, overlapping members of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation’s (USNA AA&F) Board of Directors, Fred Festa and Jenny Messner have a special bond as parents of U.S. Naval Academy graduates. The Festa and Messner families now also share another unique commonality, as each have made separate gifts to the Naval Academy which will establish two distinct professorships in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. These endowed professorships will help prioritize and invest in the excellent faculty members who have chosen to build their careers at the Academy, ensuring they are able to continue working on research projects and curriculum development efforts throughout the year that directly benefit midshipmen. Additional funding from the endowments will go to support Fellows in the School, and additional exceptional faculty members who are making important contributions to their fields at the Academy. |
|
| Professional Golfer Hurley III ’04, Hosts Tournament at USNA |
 Professional golfer Billy Hurley III hosted a golf tournament earlier this month at the U.S. Naval Academy Golf Course to support military families. Katcef Brothers, the Annapolis-based beverage wholesaler, partnered with The Billy Hurley III Foundation and Michelob Ultra for the Billy Hurley III and Brave Golf Tournament in Annapolis. Hurley is the only U.S. Naval Academy graduate and veteran currently playing on the PGA Tour. Each year, Hurley hosts an invitation golf tournament for active-duty service members. All proceeds benefit the Billy Hurley III Foundation, which raises money to support military families. |
|
