Class of 1977 45th Reunion Gift

Class of 1977 45th Reunion Project

Madera Cyber Innovation Center and National Character and Leadership Symposium (NCLS) Endowment

Our Class of ‘77 has elected to support the construction, maintenance, and programmatic materials of the Madera Cyber Innovation Center at USAFA and establish an endowment for the National Character and Leadership Symposium (NCLS) as our 45th Reunion Class Gift Campaign. Once completed, the Madera Cyber Innovation Center will allow cadets to have the opportunity to work with military operators and real-world practitioners, creating a teaming environment that will help better prepare our next generation of leaders by developing the cyber and leadership skills needed for their Air Force careers. Additionally, the NCLS endowment will help provide cadets the exposure to an array of powerful speakers from a variety of sources to expand perspective, moral reasoning and understanding of the participants’ character and leadership journey.

Our Class set a total Class Giving project goal of $1.3 million to support these top Academy priorities. Fundraising efforts have been in the works since 2017, and the Center’s unique partnership will bring together Air Force CyberWorx and the Department of Computer and Cyber Sciences and its Academy Center for Cyberspace Research under one roof. Gifts made to support this effort will equip state-of-the-art labs, enhance cyber-related curriculum for cadets and create the infrastructure to foster 21st century education, research and design. In acknowledgement of our $1 million gift to the Madera Cyber Innovation Center, the Academy will recognize the Cyber Security, Networking, Radio Frequency, and Telecommunications Lab in honor of the Class of 1977.

Our $300,000 goal for the ’77 endowment supporting the National Character and Leadership Symposium (NCLS) will help support the nation’s premier symposium focusing on the integration of leadership and character.  This top-tier showcase of speakers from military, business, athletic, non-profit, and other arenas provides the opportunity for Cadets, faculty, speakers, and other participants to take part in speaking sessions, panels, reflection periods, and group discussions.  Additionally, the symposium provides cadets opportunities for hands-on experience to plan, organize, and implement a character and leadership event. In acknowledgement of our $300,000 ’77 NCLS endowment supporting a speaker, the Academy will recognize our Class of ’77 throughout the symposium.

We have all felt the impact of cyber (in some cases the lack of cyber security) in our daily lives and we understand the importance of preparing our military to counter the cyber threats rushing toward us.  Character and Leadership Development at our alma mater has also played a big role in shaping who we are today. It is time to stand up for USAFA and ensure we leave a legacy that helps to shape tomorrow’s USAF leaders to meet the challenges of the future. Support of our 45th Reunion Class Gift Campaign will not only leave a lasting legacy for the Class of ’77, but will also support our Academy, our future leaders, and our national security.

If you have any immediate questions, please contact the Class of 1977 class gift committee at 1977usafa@gmail.com  

'77 Class Gift Committee: Earl Enix (Chair); Dave Chaffee, Irv Halter, Tim Hopper, James Neumeister, Norm Riegsecker, Rick Sowers