Class of 1983 40th Reunion Project

MADERA CYBER INNOVATION CENTER AND NATIONAL CHARACTER AND LEADERSHIP SYMPOSIUM (NCLS) ENDOWMENT

Our Class of 1983 Gift Committee, after socialization with 30-40 classmates, selected two projects to support with our 40th Reunion Class Gift. One, the Madera Cyber Innovation Center, will give cadets the opportunity to work with military operators and real-world practitioners, creating a teaming environment that will better prepare our next generation of leaders by developing the cyber and leadership skills necessary for their Air Force careers. The second, an NCLS endowment, will provide cadets exposure to an array of powerful speakers from a variety of sources to expand perspective, moral reasoning and understanding of their character and leadership journey. The Committee set a Class Giving project goal of $1.7 million to support these top Academy priorities.

The Madera Cyber Innovation Center will provide space and technology for Academy cyber entities to come together to teach, test and collaborate. It will be used by Air Force CyberWorx, the Department of Computer and Cyber Sciences and its Academy Center for Cyberspace Research. 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 $200,000 gift to the Cyber Innovation Center, the Academy will recognize the Cadet Entrance of the building in honor of the Class of 1983.

Our $1.5 million goal supporting the National Character and Leadership Symposium (NCLS) Endowment will 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. Our gift will fund an annual speaker for this program and be designated as the Class of 1983 speaker. It’s time to stand up for USAFA and ensure we leave a legacy that helps shape tomorrow’s AF leaders to meet the challenges of the future!

For additional information, please contact the ’83 Class Gift Committee at usafa1983@gmail.com.