The U.S. Naval Academy welcomed the members of the Class of 2026 on 29-30 June, as plebe candidates said goodbye to their families, and reported to their I-Day stations where they were issued uniforms, Reef Points, and received their first haircut. Meanwhile, families attended the I-Day Family Picnic & Expo on Hospital Point sponsored by the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation. The event featured food trucks, live music, speakers, photo ops and tents introducing programs and services available to families during their midshipman’s time at the Academy and beyond. Along the way, parents had the opportunity to hear from Superintendent VADM Sean S. Buck ’83, USN; Commandant of Midshipmen Col James P. McDonough ’94, USMC, and USNA Alumni Association and Foundation President and CEO Jeff Webb ’95. The swearing-in took place on Thursday evening, 30 June. Watch our I-Day video, coverage on social media and on our parents page.
**Special thanks to Judy Buddensick, president of Frances Marketing Group and sponsorship coordinator for the Alumni Association and Foundation, for making this year’s I-Day Family Picnic and Expo a smashing success. She personally recruiting and coordinated event sponsors that provided food, drink, and support services to over 5,000 plebe family members on Hospital Point Thursday.