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Dean’s Weekly Significant Activities Report
15 October 2014
The Dean’s Weekly Significant Activities Report is an internal report on all activities
conducted within the Departments, Centers & Staff. The Report is provided to the Dean
for situation awareness, throughout the organization for shared situation awareness,
and to select external organizations for outreach and communication. Portions of the
Dean’s Weekly Significant Activities Report are further staffed in a report to the
Superintendent. POC for the report is MS Lesley Beckstrom at 938-5105.
Picture of the Week
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On 8 and 9 October, Lieutenant Colonel Jason Musteen, Major
David Musick, and Major Stuart Peebles conducted a West Point
fortifications staff ride with more than 60 cadets from HI301X
History of the Military Art.
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West Point’s Center for the Advancement of Leader Development & Organizational
Learning (CALDOL)
On 09 October, 20 members of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) gathered at CALDOL
for a Leader Challenge workshop. The YPO members
were visiting West Point as guests of the Department
of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership. The session
was designed to introduce the CEOs to the Leader
Challenge method and how it supports the current
leader- development curriculum at West Point. The
energy in the room was incredible as these executives
wrestled with the real-life challenges faced by an
Army officer—What should he do? What should be
done next? How could leadership have prevented the
crisis? What can we learn from the experience?
These business leaders left with a leader-levelopment
approach they could incorporate into their respective organizations. COL Bernie Banks and LTC
Eric McCoy coordinated with CALDOL to plan the session, and McCoy, MAJ Laura Weimer,
and MAJ Casey Holler from BS&L participated as table facilitators.
Leadership counts!
POC: MAJ Jon Silk, CALDOL, x7959
Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership
Completed Events
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Follow BS&L on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/West-Point-NY/Department-of-BehavioralSciences-Leadership/44253274507
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West Point Negotiations Project holds negotiations workshop for IESE-NYC Campus
Global Executive MBAs
On Saturday, 13 September, MAJ Christina Fanitzi from BS&L's West Point Negotiation Project
offered a negotiations workshop for 24 international business and governmental sector leaders
enrolled in the Global Executive MBA program at the University of Navarro-Spain’s IESE
Business School. The participants represented 13 countries, convene for classes quarterly in
NYC. As part of their program, they planned a day trip to West Point to show aspects of the
moral-ethical leadership education and unique West Point experience. Leaders learned the
importance of negotiation as a leader competency, how to analyze negotiation situations, and
practiced managing difficult negotiation counterparts. Discussions included managing
competitive-collaborative tensions, one-on-one cooperation, and competition in negotiations.
The West Point Negotiation Project is a USMA faculty effort to improve the ability of military
leaders to negotiate and is an activity within BS&L's West Point Leadership Center. POC: MAJ
Christina Fanitzi, x3295
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Mr. Mark Lueking, Class of 1996, and Cargill employee, meets with BS&L Management
majors
On 1 October, Mr. Mark Lueking, USMA Class of 1996, now with Cargill Incorporated, gave a
lecture to 100 BS&L management majors in MG 381 Introduction to Management and MG420
Operations Management. Mr. Lueking described Cargill’s management of their global supply
chains in the agriculture, food, industrial, and financial industries. Cargill, ranked by Forbe’s
Magazine as America’s largest private company, hosted two cadets at their Minnesota
headquarters this past summer during a Management AIAD. During the two day visit to West
Point, which included Cargill executives observing and participating in management and PL 300
classes, Cargill learned more about West Point, the core curriculum, and the management
program in order to design greater developmental experiences for cadets in future AIADs. POC:
LTC Patrick Downes x 1008.
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Wounded Warrior CPT Edward “Flip” Klein Engages Cadets about Leadership in PL300
On 29 September 2014, BS&L Alumnus CPT Edward “Flip” Klein visited the department,
engaged with faculty from BS&L and the Simon Center, and taught cadets in PL300 (Military
Leadership). The topic was power and influence. CPT Klein discussed his experiences as a
platoon leader, leadership instructor at the Infantry School, combat commander in Afghanistan,
and wounded warrior. Cadets learned that one’s
use of power and influence reveals one’s
character, and that they should strive to use
various types of power in ways that make them
increasingly trusted and influential. Too often,
leaders use power in ways which get short term
results, but only undermine their long-term
influence. POC: [email protected], x
5024.
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Pictured above and beside– CPT and his wife, Jessica,
engage faculty and friends from both BS&L and the Simon Center. CPT Klein teaches PL300.
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Leaders from NYC Google Campus met with BS&L Management majors
Leaders from Google’s NYC campus joined Cadets in the Management program’s Human Resource
Management course on 3 October 2014. The Google leaders discussed how their firm selects and
manages talent and develops organizational culture to support its strategy and create an enduring
competitive advantage. Cadets have been discussing recruitment, selection, training and development in
class. They were able to discuss how these processes occur in an organization that receives 2 million
resumes per year and has doubled in personnel each of the last 10 years. POC: LTC (P) Todd Woodruff,
x1788.
Department of History
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On Thursday 25 September History majors and faculty (past and present) participated in
the conflict resolution seminar sponsored by the USMA Center for the Study of Civil
Military Operations. Colonel (Retired) Mike Hess, History Faculty Alumni and former Civil
Affairs officer, participated, along with Major Dan Horst and Lieutenant Colonel Jason Musteen.
The conference highlighted the challenges and accomplishments of joint, interagency, civil
military
operations in Kosovo and featured the Kosovar President Atifete Jahjaga, the Kosovar
ambassador to the US Akan Ismaili, and Lieutenant General (Retired) Michael Maples.
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From left to right, History majors and faculty Cadet Dominic Gatti '16, Cadet Joshua Johnstone '16,
Colonel (Retired) Hess '71 , Cadet Francis Ambrogio '15, and Major Horst '02 at the Conflict Resolution
Seminar on Kosovo
_________________________________________
Professor Rob McDonald was recently named to the Academic Advisory Committee of the
David Library of the American Revolution. Located in Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania,
the David Library specializes in materials related to American history from 1750 to 1800.
_________________________________________
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Major Andy Forney and his HI398 Society and Culture in U.S. History conducted a class
via Skype with Dr. Rebecca Sharpless, historian and author of Cooking In Other Women’s
Kitchen’s : Domestic Workers in the South, 1865-1960. Cadets asked Dr. Sharpless numerous
questions about race, gender, and the craft of history.
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_________________________________________
On Sunday 5 October, Colonel Greg Daddis published an article in the opinion-editorial
section of the Los Angeles Times. Daddis questions the utility of warfare to combat the Islamic
State in Iraq and the Levant, and he challenges American to debate the efficacy of military force
to achieve lasting political gain. Read this thought-provoking article at
http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-1005-daddis-utility-of-war-20141005-story.html.
_________________________________________
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On Tuesday 7 October, cadets enrolled in HI358 Strategy, Policy, and Generalship
culminated their study of the First World War, Inter-war Period, and Second World War
with a trip section to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Home, Museum, and Presidential
Library in Hyde Park. Museum staff helped the cadets analyze a number of primary
documents from the library and provided a tour of the home, while Major Jonathan Heist led a
colloquium on US generalship during World War II. Having focused on American strategic
decision-making throughout this period, this visit deepened the cadets’ understanding of both the
challenges faced by America’s political and military leaders during the Second World War and
their responses to those challenges.
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Major Heist and the cadets of HI 358 in front of Hyde Park
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On 8 October Major Dan Horst and Captain Nathan Jennings led eleven cadets on a
historical tour of the West Point Cemetery. The event began with lunch and a discussion of
the rich individual and institutional histories represented in the cemetery by Colonel Ty Seidule
in the Clausewitz Room. Cadets then travelled to the cemetery where they learned the history of
the Old Cadet Chapel, along with the fascinating stories of the significant persons buried on the
premises.
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Cadets in front of the Old Cadet Chapel in the West Point cemetery
_________________________________________
On Wednesday 8 October, Captain Jon Romaneski led a West Point historical tour for the
Florida Panthers players, staff, and co-owner Mr. Vincent Viola (USMA ’77, pictured below
with Captain Romaneski).
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On 1 October, Captain Nathan Jennings led a campus and historical tour for U.S.
Representative Aaron Schock of the 18th Congressional District of Illinois. Captain Jennings
led Rep. Schock and his staff on a historical tour of the Plain and Washington Hall, hosted a
walk-through of Arvin Gymnasium where DPE instructors facilitated the Congressman’s desire
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_________________________________________
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to execute the Combat Water Survival Test, and conducted a historical tour of Trophy Point.
Particular points of interest for the Congressman and his staff included the mural in the cadet
dining facility, the lore surrounding General MacArthur’s monument, Battle Monument, the
Great Chain, and academy collegiate athletics.
On 8 and 9 October, Lieutenant Colonel Jason Musteen, Major David Musick, and
Major Stuart Peebles conducted a West Point fortifications staff ride with more than 60
cadets from HI301X History of the Military Art
_________________________________________
. Cadets played the roles of key figures from the American Revolutionary War, while they
toured Constitution Island, Fort Putnam, and other important redoubts and batteries around West
Point.
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Cadets imagine facing the British on Constitution Island, while Lieutenant Colonel Musteen
points out the range of the cannon.
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Cadets discuss the defense plan of Fort Putnam and the attempted betrayal by Benedict Arnold.
_________________________________________
Department of Physics and Nuclear Engineering
Completed Events
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Achievement: On 8 October, at the PNE Department Meeting, Dr. Brian Moretti received his
10 years of civilian service pin and certificate and Dr. Lee Harrell received his 15 years of
civilian service pin and certificate. Additionally, Mr. Keith Schevling and Mrs. Kim Lee
received the Achievement Medal for Civilian Service for exceeding standard requirements.
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Mrs. Lee & Prof. Lainis
Colloquium: On 9 October, Mr. Terry Bauer will present a colloquium discussing "Recent Test
Results of the High Energy Laser Mobile Demonstrator (HEL MD) and its Future Applications”.
The presentation will be an update on the Army's high energy laser efforts at the US Army Space
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Mr. Schevling & Prof. Lainis
Dr. Harrell & COL Naessens
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Dr. Moretti & COL Naessens
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and Missile Defense Command. The primary focus of the talk will be 10 kW High Energy Laser
Mobile Demonstrator (HEL MD) efforts over the last 18 months. Results of the High Power
Demonstration at WSMR and the Propagation Data Collection at Eglin AFB as well as future
plans will be discussed.
Colloquium: On 10 October, Dr. Tom Downar will present a colloquium discussing
"Transuranic Transmutation Techniques in Advanced Nuclear Reactors”. His research interests
include computational nuclear reactor physics and the development of coupled neutronics,
thermal-hydraulics, and fuel performance analysis methods for power reactor safety analysis.
Applications include the transient analysis of a wide range of reactor types, including Light
Water, Heavy Water, High Temperature Gas, and Sodium cooled reactors.
TDY: During 14-15 October, LTC Ken Allen and Dr. Brian Moretti traveled to Ft. Belvoir, VA
to meet with DTRA and USACE representative to identify training aid material in the
decommissioned reactor facility to be transported back to West Point for use in the nuclear
engineering program.
Future Events
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Trip Section: On 22 October, MAJ Nestor Echeverria and cadets enrolled in NE350
(Radiological Engineering Design) will travel to STERIS Isomedix in Chester, NY to see a realworld application of radiation technology that applies their required design project.
Additionally, cadets will gain a better understanding of transportation, shielding, security, safety,
disposal or radioactive waste in support of course requirements. STERIS Isomedix uses a
radioactive source to sterilized medical supplies. While there, they will be reloading new
Colbalt-60 sources into their irradiation facilities, thus providing the cadets a unique opportunity
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Colloquium: On 20 October, Dr. William Russ will present a colloquium discussing "The Nuts
and Bolts of Gamma Spectroscopy”. The basics of radiation detection will be covered, including
source terms, detectors, interactions and signal processing. Spectroscopy analysis will be
reviewed starting with an understanding of system response including energy, peak shape,
efficiency calibrations and background. Typical analysis approaches such as peak search and
template matching will be introduced in light of the goals and applications of radiation
measurement systems. Dr. Russ studied physics at the U.S. Naval Academy ('90) and served as
a submarine officer before getting his Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering at the University of
Cincinnati. He did postdoctoral research at the Georgia Institute of Technology before
becoming a staff member at Argonne National Laboratory – West. He joined Canberra
Industries in 2002 where he is currently the Director of Fundamental Research.
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to observe the inner workings of the machines and the process of transporting and handling
radioactive materials.
Department of Foreign Languages
Current Week HIGHLIGHTS:
1. Hosting Visitors:
a. German: On 10 OCT, A group of twenty-five German Youth Information officers visited
West Point. Youth information officers fulfill a role in Germany similar to U.S. Public
Affairs officers. Established in 1958 in response to protests over the re-establishment of the
Bundeswehr, Youth Information officers visit schools, organize security seminars and mock
security councils, and arrange trips to visit troops in their barracks. Their goal is to tell the
German army’s story and emphasize the need for a military. The German officers briefed
two sections of LG371 in German and in turn answered question posed to them in German.
Following the briefing, they enjoyed lunch with the cadets in the Cadet Mess and received a
tour of West Point.
2. Semester Abroad Program (SAP) / Academic trip sections:
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a. Spanish: Cadet Valerie Kutsch completed the final ruck march with third-class cadets
during the Spanish Military Academy cadet summer training program. USMA Cadets
participated with third year cadets of the Spanish Military Academy to experience a
portion of their summer training. Cadet Kutsch found the experience of working closely
with her counterparts in Spain rewarding, and she is excited for the academic semester to
begin. The experience has greatly increased her confidence in her language proficiency.
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b. French: Cadets attending SAP at the French Military Academy, Saint-Cyr, joined French
cadets for a ceremony in Paris at Les Invalides recently where Saint-Cyrien “bazars”
(Plebes) meet their “binomes” (Team Leaders) for the first time. The following is a brief
description of the event:
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The ceremony began in the Tomb of Napoleon, with the bazars on the lower
level – standing quietly with their heads lowered, reflecting on the
significance of the tomb and their commitment to being in the French army.
The second class cadets (the class we are with) all gathered around the
upper level that looked down upon Napolean’s coffin and the level of the
bazars. The bazars were called to attention, did an about face to face the
center, and the second class began singing. It was very moving and
impressive, especially with the acoustics of the tomb. The singing of the
cadets is incredible, especially because they all sing beautifully and in
harmony. The second part of the ceremony was conducted in the square of
the Musee de l’Armee, and this is when the second class marched forward in
front of the formation of bazars, stood in front of their respective bazars,
and both the 2nd class and 3rd class (bazars) sang a song together.
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c. German: The West Point Cadets abroad in Austria finished their field training exercise in
late September. During the graduation ceremony, they met the Austrian Chief of
Defense, General Othmar Commenda. General Commenda assumed his current post in
July of 2013.
Left: From left to right, Cadet Darien Vaughan, General Othmar
Commenda, Cadet Kiley Schreurs, Cadet Charlene Coutteau.
Above: Cadet Schreurs shakes hands with General Commenda.
3. Faculty participation in immersion trips, AIADs, and semester abroad maintenance
requirements / trips: NSTR.
4. Language or International Club key events:
a. NSTR
5. Major milestones in research or scholarly work:
a. NSTR
6. Upcoming HIGHLIGHTS Next Two Weeks:
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a. French Club annual language and culture trip to Québec from 16-19 OCT 2014.
b. A few SAP cadets at St Cyr are currently attending French Airborne School.
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Department of English and Philosophy
Past Events
1. Cadets Deliver Presentations at Mid-Hudson Philosophical Society Meeting
On Tuesday (7 October), faculty from four departments at USMA collaborated to enrich cadet’s
perspectives on the use of drones in war. MAJ Matthew Cavanaugh, from the Department of
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2. Philosophy Forum presents Interdisciplinary Panel on Drone Warfare.
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In the Haig Room on Saturday, 27 September, DEP’s philosophers (both faculty and cadets)
hosted the inaugural meeting of the Mid-Hudson Philosophy Society (MHPS). The Society
brings together philosophy faculty and undergraduate majors from West Point and four regional
institutions: Bard College, SUNY New Paltz, Marist College, and Vassar College. The morning
session began with a welcome to the 45 attendees from acting Dean, COL Eugene Ressler, and
West Point MHPS sponsor, Professor Robert Tully, followed by a lecture on David Hume’s
concept of probability, given by Professor Don Garrett, Chair of NYU’s Department of
Philosophy. At the afternoon session, four APL cadets gave original and lively presentations:
CDTs Nick Cale, Brad Hodgkins, Zach Hoffman and Sam Kolling (pictured). In between
presentations, the visitors dined in the Mess Hall and enjoyed cadet-guided tours. The Society
will meet annually in rotation. Next year’s gathering will be at Vassar. POC is Dr Robert Tully,
DEP, [email protected].
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Defense and Strategic Studies, MAJ Sean Dansberger, from the Department of English and
Philosophy, CPT Brian Drohan, from the Department of History, and LTC Matthew Kemkes,
from the Department of Law discussed drone use from the perspectives of their respective
disciplines. The event showcases the Department of English and Philosophy’s continuing efforts
to foster cadets’ abilities to engage in critical inquiry on war and US military policy. POC is Dr
Graham Parsons, DEP, [email protected].
The Philosophy Forum's panel on drone warfare. From left to right, MAJ Sean
Dansberger, Department of English and Philosophy, LTC Matthew Kemkes, Department
of Law, CPT Brian Drohan, Department of History, and MAJ Matthew Cavanaugh,
Department of Defense and Strategic Studies.
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On Tuesday, 7 October, bestselling author Andrew Carroll lectured to more than 1,200 cadets
enrolled in EN101 (Composition) and EN302 (Advanced Composition through Cultural
Studies). Carroll’s work has taken him around the nation and to more than 40 countries,
including Iraq and Afghanistan, in search of wartime letters. He has collected more than
100,000 unpublished letters from all wars in United States history, and is the head of the Center
for American War Letters at Chapman University, in California. Carroll’s 2002 book War
Letters inspired a critically-acclaimed PBS documentary by the same name. His 2006 book
Operation Homecoming: Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Home Front, in the Words of U.S. Troops
and Their Families also inspired a film by the same name, which was nominated for an Oscar
and won an Emmy for best documentary. Carroll’s efforts have been profiled on NBC, ABC,
CNN, FOX, PBS, and The History Channel, and he is a regular columnist for American History
magazine. He spent approximately three hours with cadets, to include taking informal questions
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3. Author Andrew Carroll Delivers Lecture to Cadets Enrolled in EN101 and EN302
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and signing his books. Signed copies of Carroll’s books may be purchased at the USMA Cadet
Book Store. POC is LTC Tom Veale, DEP, [email protected].
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On October 7, Andrew Carroll lectured to more than 1,200 West
Point cadets on his “Legacy Project,” which collects and edits
wartime letters from around the world.
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Andrew Carroll takes informal questions following his 7
October lecture at West Point. Carroll also signed books at
the Cadet Book Store.
4. West Point Writing Center Provides Writing Assistance to Cadets Enrolled in Eleven
Core Courses
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In its third year of operation, the West Point Writing Center (WPWC) has conducted over 200
peer consultations since opening last month, with 156 individual cadets requesting appointments.
The 24 Writing Fellows who conduct the consultations are enrolled in EP490 (Writing Process,
Argument, and Pedagogy), an independent-study elective offered by the Department of English
and Philosophy, the gateway seminar for its Writing Fellows Program. The WPWC provides
service to all interested Cadets enrolled in all core courses; thus far this semester, Cadets have
sought assistance for assignments in 11 separate core courses. The WPWC will remain open for
the duration of the academic year. POCs are Professor Jason Hoppe, DEP,
[email protected], and COL John Nelson, DEP, [email protected]
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Cadets enrolled in EP490 conduct peer consultation in the West Point Writing
Center, which is in its second year of operation. The Writing Fellows pictured
above are Cadet James Trollan (’16), Cadet Nick Mendenhall (’16), Cadet Cory
Lesser (’16), Cadet Julen Totorica (’17), Cadet Jarrett Guyer (’17), and Cadet
Matthew D. Williams (’15), who is also the Writing Center’s CIC.
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Department of Law
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The New York County District Attorney (Manhattan), Cyrus Vance, third from left, visited West
Point on 15 October. Mr. Vance visited the Department of Law and led class discussions in the
courses Criminal Law and Introduction to Legal Studies. He and his chief of staff, Jeff
Schlanger, briefed faculty members on the work of prosecutors in New York. Mr. Vance's
presentations to cadets concerned how he decides to prosecute cases and how, in some instances,
he agrees to release from prison innocent people that he believes were wrongly convicted. (Also
pictured are NYPD Detective Ray Winslow, second from left, and DA Vance’s Chief of Staff
Jeff Schlanger, third from right).
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Mr. Charley Davidson and Ms. Luci Davidson, former criminal prosecutors in the Office of the
District Attorney, Harris County, Texas, spoke to CPT Trent Powell’s LW 403 Constitutional
and Military Law classes on 10 October 2014. The Davidsons discussed the challenges of
prosecuting capital murder cases and highlighted a recent high profile attempted murder trial
where they represented the victim, a physician poisoned by his paramour. The Davidsons are the
parents of CDT Brock Davidson ’16.
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Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering
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EV471 - Ecology Students Visit the Wolf Conservation Center On Tuesday, 7 Oct 14
Environmental Science majors of the Class of 2015 visited the Wolf Conservation Center
(WCC) in New Salem, NY as part of their EV471 Ecology field trip. The WCC was established
to promote wolf conservation by teaching about wolves, their relationship to the environment,
and the human role in protecting their future. The WCC accomplishes its mission through onsite
and offsite education programs emphasizing wolf biology, the ecological benefits of wolves and
other large predators, and the current status of wolf recovery in the United States.
Environmental Science majors were exposed to all sides of the issue to include wolf biology,
habitat requirements, and issues for and against the reintroduction of wolves. POC is LTC Mark
Smith at x3136, [email protected], photos by LTC Mindy Kimball at x5421,
[email protected].
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USDA Forest Service outreach to West Point On Tuesday, 7 Oct 14 LTC Mark Smith
(D/G&EnE) and LTC Mindy Kimball (D/G&EnE) travelled to Grey Towers, Milford, PA to
meet with representatives from the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service.
Grey Towers, considered the birthplace of conservation, was the home of Gifford Pinchot, the
first Chief of the US Forest Service and Pennsylvania Governor for two terms. The meeting was
part of a US Forest Service leadership and professional development initiative, and the group
discussed concepts that might be helpful to USMA education and leader development related to
conservation and the wise use of natural resources. Potential opportunities include Forest
Service Guest speakers, cadet AIADs, and New York City “urban forestry” outreach. “Worldwide practice of conservation and the fair and continued access by all nations to the resources
they need are the two indispensable foundations of continuous plenty and of permanent peace” –
Gifford Pinchot. POC is LTC Mark Smith at x3136, [email protected].
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Domestic Affairs Forum to CFR:
On 10 October 2014, a group of ten cadets from the Domestic Affairs Forum ventured to the
Council on Foreign Relations in New York City to attend a panel discussion titled, "The SunniShia Divide" featuring NPR foreign correspondent Deborah Amos and dean of the Johns
Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies Dr. Vali Nasr. Cadets joined an
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Department of Social Sciences
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interdisciplinary audience of undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty from all over the tristate area. Not only did the panelists contextualize the long and contentious religious
history between Sunni and Shia Muslims, Amos and Nasr also offered astute observations on the
current state of affairs in the Middle East, particularly Iraq, Syria, and ISIS. Following the
discussion, Cadets had time to mingle with their civilian counterparts from nearby universities
and interact with CRF staff and fellows. Trip sections like this allow cadets to share
their insights and perspectives with civilians, meet the Superintendent's intent for continued
engagement with institutions and organizations in New York City, and enrich their academic
experience. The cadets absolutely enjoyed themselves and appreciated the opportunity to visit
the prestigious Council on Foreign Relations.
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DAF at CFR
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Cadets before the lecture.