GLPA Newsletter Fall 2012 Issue Published by the Great Lakes Chapter of the United States Coast Guard Academy Parents’ Association in August, January, and May. 2011-12 Chapter Officers President’s Message Commandant of Cadets, CAPT Jim McCauley (CGA ’85) and We attended the national Assistant Commandant of Cadets, Presidents Coast Guard Academy Parents CDR Gabrielle Miller McGrath Bruce & Peg Talbot (Erin ‘13) Association meeting on June 24, (CGA ’96). CAPT McCauley [email protected] 2012 along with GLPA parents comes to the academy after sea [email protected] Dave Beshoar and Scott Sutschek. duty commanding the high This was the first meeting with the Vice Presidents new in-coming association endurance cutter RUSH, home Ed & Sheri Bugyis (Stephanie officers. Duncan Pitcairn, who (Continued on page 3) ‘13) served as the treasurer for 2 years [email protected] and vice-president last year, was elected as president for the next Secretary school term. With so many years Mary Callaghan (Katie ‘15) experience on the national assoc- [email protected] iation board, we are confident Duncan will do an outstanding job Treasurer leading the parents association. Carlene Smith (Kendra ‘14) Here are some interesting [email protected] facts about the parents association: 82% of parents join the associa- Web Masters tion, which is the main source of Bruce & Peg Talbot (Erin ‘13) income for parent gifts to support [email protected] the cadets at the academy. So far, [email protected] the association has contributed $445,000 toward the purchase of Newsletter Editor the new Leadership 44s coastal Jeff Dooley (LTJG James ‘08) sailing program boats. Each year [email protected] the Commandant of Cadets sub- mits a dream list to the association for items that are needed but are Facebook Page Manager not in the Coast Guard budget. Bruce & Peg Talbot (Erin ‘13) Last year $63,000 was requested CAPT Jim McCauley (CGA ’85) [email protected] for a number of items and the [email protected] board voted to instead send $70,000 to cover any unforeseen Ways and Means needs that may arise during the UPCOMING DATES Beverly Schulz (John ‘13) academic year. One example 5-7 OCT 12: Parents’ Weekend [email protected] includes $2,500 for a coffee and tea station in the Academy Library 7-13 DEC 12: Final Exams Reading Room for cadets during 14 DEC 12 – 6 JAN 13: late night study sessions who may Winter Leave need a little boost after the Something you’d like to see in 27 DEC 12: All Academy Ball at cafeteria is closed. Marriott Hotel, Naperville, IL the GLPA Newsletter? Send it Admiral Stolz and her de- in to [email protected]! Sub- Late December 12: All- partment heads updated the assoc- Academy Ball, other locations missions are always desired. I iation board on recent develop- am the editor, but YOU are (last year there were balls in Troy, ments at the academy. Admiral MI and Milwaukee, WI). the reporters! Stolz introduced the new 1 GLPA Fall 2012 Newsletter CGA LEADERSHIP 44 CAPITAL CAMPAIGN The Mission “The Leadership 44 project is one of the most important and exciting projects ever under- taken at the Academy. Beyond that, one of the most important aspects of the program is that it creates a fundamental building block for cadet leadership training, which will be util- ized by every single cadet – 100% – for the next two decades.” Bob Hallock ’72 Chair, Procurement Committee Putting cadets under sail is the best way to teach our future maritime officers the ways of the sea and for them to acquire a love for its lore. Under sail, the future officer gains a greater appreciation and respect for the wind, waves, and tides. Sailing craft also provide cadets with a valuable leader- ship experience – often their first experience at com- mand and control at sea. A ship under sail tests the true character and mettle of a young officer and provides in- valuable lessons on the importance of teamwork. The Coast Guard Academy’s fleet of coastal sail training craft, “the Luders,” are long past their prime and, if they are not soon replaced, the Academy will lose one of its most important platforms for leadership and character development. The Leadership 44 Campaign seeks to raise the funds needed to replace the aging Luders fleet, which has been used for the Coastal Sail Training Program (CSTP) for more than 40 years. The Leadership 44 coastal sail training vessels • are the Superintendent’s top priority • are designed to be a floating leadership platform, providing Cadets a maritime experience that is difficult to recreate with large cutters • will be the primary platform for the 2/c Coastal Sail Training Program, which is considered by most cadets to be their seminal leadership experience while at the Academy • will provide all cadets with small craft command and control, navigation, and seamanship experiences • will be used as an extension of the cadet barracks, with each cadet Company having access to, and responsibility for, its own boat • will extend the waterfront season, providing Cadets more time underway • will allow for standardization of the off-shore sailing program • will showcase the Coast Guard Academy as one of the premier waterfront facilities in the country Partners U.S. Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association Coast Guard Foundation CGA Parents Association Above information from www.cgaleadership44.org/mission.html (©2010 CGALeadership44.org) 2 GLPA Fall 2012 Newsletter (President’s Message Continued from page Admiral Stolz related that all 1) four engineering majors hold “the Show Your ported in Hawaii. CDR McGrath highest GPA in the last 16 years” Coast Guard comes to the academy as the so the idea that an engineering Pride! former Deputy Commander of the major hurts billet assignments isn’t Coast Guard International Ice true. Order Now at car- Patrol. We are always in need of lenedavid@sbcglo The incoming class of 2016 parents to participate at both the bal.net or 630-968- was noted as “the best class we chapter and national levels. If you 6761 have ever brought in”. The class of are interested in becoming more 2016 consists of 251 cadets from active in the parents association, 39 states composed of 37% female please contact Bruce Talbot at (a historic high) and 35% minority [email protected]. (another historic high). The average G.P.A. is 3.79 unweight- ed, with S.A.T. test scores of 650 Bruce & Peggy Talbot (Erin ‘13) in math and 608 in Critical GLPA Presidents Reasoning. The A.C.T. test scores for the class averaged 29. Declared majors for the Class of 2016 are: Cover Necklace 52% engineering, 27% other sciences, 21% government or management. At the conclusion of Swab Summer, 225 cadets remain. From the Treasurer Admiral Stolz related her Another successful showing focus will be on making USCGA of our necklace fundraiser at R- world-class in academics. The day. The Talbot’s sold 30 neck- academy is currently undergoing a laces. Thanks to them for traveling core curriculum review and an to represent our chapter. Besides engineering program evaluation the fundraiser they were able to review that is scheduled for the meet many of the 2016 parents and Fall of 2013. A new library welcome them to our chapter. Coast Guard Necklace director will be joining the staff in We will be back with all 4 of time for opening of Fall classes. the necklaces at Parent Weekend. Admiral Stolz added that the Stop by the Great Lakes table to biggest challenge will be meeting check out the necklaces or to just the goals of graduating 70% of the say Hi. We love to meet in person corps of cadets in science and the people we mostly only talk to technology majors of which 50% “electronically”. are to be degreed in engineering. At the swab picnic/annual Currently, the corps of cadets meeting in June several expendi- consists of 58% science and tures were approved. We will technology majors with 38% make donations to the national degreed in engineering. The Coast chapter, to the Coast Guard Foun- Guard is currently studying the dation, and to each of the All Eagle Necklace idea of providing bonus pay for Academy Balls in our states to science and technology majors to help cover expenses. In discussion both encourage cadets to about supporting our cadets, it was engineering majors and to approved to purchase movie compensate their salaries passes (supporting another chap- compared to their civilian ter’s fundraiser) for distribution counterparts. mid-year. A parent suggested that some cadets may be dropping out of engineering because the Carlene Smith compressed schedule hurts their GLPA Treasurer GPA and class ranking which puts [email protected] Medallion Necklace them at a disadvantage when 630-968-6761 bidding for Ensign billets. 3 GLPA Fall 2012 Newsletter 2012 Swab Picnic and Business Meeting Report By Peggy Talbot On June 9, the Great Lakes Chapter held our an- nual picnic to welcome new swabs and their families. After enjoying lunch with the station Coast Guard staff, Bruce Talbot opened the meeting portion of the event by explaining the purpose of the Parents Asso- ciation. Swabs Emily Gilland from Daleville, Indiana, and Carolyn Smith from Downers Grove, Illinois, were welcomed and shared their story of why they chose the Coast Guard Academy. Parents helped an- swer questions for the new families. Motions were made and approved to : • Give the National Parents Association $500 twice a year as available. • Give $50 to each of the six Great Lakes’ states for their respective All Academy Balls Tom and Sue Smith, parents of Carolyn • Allow approximately $800 to purchase movie passes for Great Lakes’ cadets • Give $50 to $100 to the Coast Guard Foundation for the Mackinaw Race.