UNC NROTC
Alumni Association
News Bulletin
February 2019
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In this edition:
- Spring 2019 event dates announced
- Naval Armory Eyed for Replacement by University
- Dawson Library Update
- Spring 2019 Alumni Panel Recap
- 2018 Scholarship Recipients
- 2018 Annual Meeting and Reunion Images
- Call for Membership: join and renewal, Membership Roster Update
- Now Hear This: Scuttlebutt
- Taps
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Spring 2019 Midshipmen Events
Alumni Welcome
Pat Connelly '85, Events Chair
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Spring 2018 Carolina Midshipman Battalion Events to which Alumni are invited as spectators:
Marine Field Exercise:
Friday-Sunday 1-3 March, 2019
Uniform:
Camouflage Utilities (Marine Corps Pattern)Location: Camp Lejeune.
Inquire with POC for details.
Field/Drill Meet:
Saturday
6 April, 2019,
1100-1330
Uniform: Navy Working Uniform/PT Gear; Casual (Civ.)
Location: Eddie Smith Field House
100 Ridge Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
Dining In:
Dates are in the process of being finalized, either
Saturday 23 March or Friday 19 April, 2019 1900-2200
Uniform: Service Dress Blue (USN); Blue Dress Alpha (USMC); Informal (Civ.)
Fee applies, please contact POC for details
Location: Carolina Brewery
460 West Franklin St. Chapel, Hill, NC 27516
Awards Day:
Thursday, 25 April 2019,
1400-1630
Uniform: Summer White (USN); Blue Dress Delta (USMC); Business Casual (Civ.)
Location: Newman Center
218 Pittsboro St., Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Commissioning:
Saturday, 11 May 2019, 1600
Uniform for guests: Summer White (USN), Blue Dress Delta (USMC); Business Casual (Civ.)
Location: Tate-Turner Kuralt Auditorium
UNC School of Social Work
325 Pittsboro St., Chapel Hill, NC 27599
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Awards Day 2018
Connor Award recipients Samir Patel (2018) and Bogamir Glavan (1997)
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Naval Armory Eyed for Replacement by the University
Captain Marc Stern, USN
Professor of Naval Science, University of North Carolina
Commanding Officer, NROTC North Carolina Piedmont Consortium
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The University’s current, preliminary, plan is to build a new high-tech structure that will replace the Armory as part of a larger project involving the lot and buildings behind and around it. The University acknowledges being behind schedule on the project, but a small amount of money has been allocated to study the feasibility of the project. Part of the feasibility study includes what to do with the three ROTC units that now occupy the Armory. The NROTC staff, along with the other two services, have been working with the Dean of Facilities Planning on how to best meet our needs if relocation is required.
The current leading proposal would have all three programs moving into the Wilson Hall Annex, which sits between Wilson and Mitchell Halls across South Road from the Naval Armory. Part of the money that is allocated towards the new structure would be used to upgrade Wilson Annex according to our needs. We have been working closely with the Dean of Facilities to determine how much space each program requires.
While planning is in the early stages, we are trying to stay ahead of the issue by working closely with the University to ensure our needs are met in the event the relocation becomes unavoidable. In the meantime we have raised the issue with the University about the current state of the Armory. We will ensure that up until we are ordered to move that the University maintains its commitment to ensuring our building is in good working order to foster a safe and effective learning environment.
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Dawson Library Update
Rob Gionfriddo '86, Dawson Library Chair
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The Dawson Memorial Library is alive and well. The library was named in honor Captain David Powell Dawson, USMC ’86), a former Midshipman Regimental Commander and the top graduate in the Class of 1986. He went on to serve as an infantry officer with the 2
nd
Marine Division and 2
nd
Force Reconnaissance Company following graduation from UNC.
Dave was tragically killed on May 6, 1995 while on a mountain climbing expedition in Zermatt, Switzerland. The Dawson Memorial Library was established following Dave’s death in 1995 and was completed in 1997 through generous donations from the Dawson family and many former UNC NROTC midshipmen and friends. The library has served the UNC NROTC Midshipman as a place to conduct Battalion meetings and individual study ever since.
Your Dawson Library Committee adopted a phased approach to repair/replace the library’s worn furniture in a way that makes the most sense for the Association and the midshipmen we serve. Phase one of the effort involved refurbishing the conference table. The intent was to have the work take place with the least amount of impact to the unit. The initial plan to have the work completed prior to the start of the Fall 2018 semester fell through due to an availability issue with the selected craftsman. The committee was able to identify another source to take on the project who was able to complete the work over the winter break. A very big thank you to Eric Schneider ’86 for overseeing the project on behalf of the Association. Well done Eric!
We are now looking at options to address the chairs, many of which are very worn and shabby. A repair or replace decision will be made upon completion of ongoing market research. We hope to have this project completed in early summer. More information to follow in the near future.
The Library Committee’s intent is to find suitable sources for additional barrister bookcases that closely match our current bookcase in both style and appearance. We have made several attempts to work with our previous vendor with the intent of purchasing the exact same bookcases that are already in the Library. Unfortunately, we haven’t been as successful with this effort as hoped. We will continue our market research to identify vendors that can provide us bookcases that both closely match our bookcases and fall within our budget constraints. We hope to find a suitable source and have the new bookcases in the library prior to our Fall meeting.
The Dawson Memorial Library Committee continues to look for additional ways to serve the UNC Midshipman and honor Dave’s memory. We continue to discuss the sponsorship of a recurring Leadership Lecture Series and look forward to sharing our progress with you in the next update. We welcome your input on ways to keep the Dawson Memorial Library relevant for our UNC Midshipman and Dave’s memory alive. We also welcome any contributions you might consider making to the Dawson Memorial Library Fund to help support the capital improvements and proposed leadership program support. Here’s a link to make a donation:
Semper Fidelis!
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Spring 2019 Alumni Panel Recap
Pat Connelly '85, Events Chair
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Your Alumni Association held our Spring 2019 Alumni Panel with the Battalion of Midshipmen on 7 Feb 2019 at the Naval Armory. Nine alumni representing commissioning classes from the 1960’s, 70’s, 80’s and 00’s, volunteered their Thursday afternoon to interact with and mentor the current group of Midshipmen. This was our fifth iteration of the Alumni Panel. By all accounts, the event was a rousing success. Midshipmen and Staff consistently point to the sage counsel and sound advice imparted by the Panelists.
Although the NROTC Unit has evolved into a consortium, the Carolina Battalion is the only one with an Alumni Association. The Staff consistently points to that as an “advantage” over the other campuses. An active Alumni Association supporting the current Battalion of Midshipmen is invaluable.
Alumni Panel Participants this Spring included:
- Lane S. Anderson, III '67
- Michael T. Barry '86
- Christopher Cole '71
- Patrick P. Connelly '85
- Christopher J. DiGiovanna '05
- Tim Hastings '88
- Clif W. Moore, Jr. '76
- Eric Schneider '86
- Robert F. "Bob" Smith '75
For those of you who have not attended a panel, it is scheduled each semester during one of the Battalion’s weekly Lab/Drill periods (Thursdays, 1400-1630.) The Panel is a simple forum where the Alumni are split into groups and posted in one of the rooms of the Armory. The Midshipmen then rotate, by groups, into those rooms for question and answer periods of 45 or so minutes each. The insightful topics presented by the Midshipmen run the spectrum from expectations of a junior officer to life after active duty (and most every subject in between.) Panelists impart their wisdom with stories of life underway (or ashore) from “back in the day” or leadership anecdotes. The interaction with the Midshipman is further enhanced during a social/dinner to close the evening. This is where personal connections are made in a more relaxed environment. It would be safe to say that every individual involved comes away with a little something.
During this Panel, the participating alumni had some down time between the end of the formal Q&A period and the beginning of dinner. As newly minted shipmates, we found the closest watering hole at Top of the Hill and shared some sea stories at happy hour. It was a memorable time of camaraderie and fellowship and set a precedent for a “must do” at future events.
I would invite all Alums to participate in a future Alumni Panel. Each Alum has unique perspectives on Midshipman life, active or reserve duty, post-graduate education, and/or life after the Navy/Marine Corps. We schedule a Panel each semester based on the Midshipman Battalion training calendar. The goal is a 30-45 day announcement prior to the event.
I look forward to seeing you at a future Alumni Panel or Reunion Weekend.
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2018 Scholarships Presented
Ann C. Phillips '83, Scholarship Chair
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NIDN 3/C Victor Perez
Jamestown, North Carolina
2018 Koster Scholarship recipient
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MIDN 3/C John Shea
Manasquan, New Jersey
2018 Ledford Scholarship recipient
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MIDN 3/C Catherine Strong
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
2018 UNC NROTC Alumni Association Scholarship recipient
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In 2018 the Scholarship committee was honored to be able to select from an impressive group of midshipmen, and proud to present scholarships to MIDN 3/c Victor Perez, MIDN 3/C John Shea and MIDN 3/C Catherine Strong. The Scholarships were presented at the Annual Meeting of the Association in November
MIDN 3/C Victor Perez, a Marine Option Midshipman (Ground Intelligence), received the Koster Scholarship, named for former UNC NROTC Unit Commanding Officer, CAPT Alfred M. Koster, IV, USN (Ret.) Perez, a Political Science major, is very proud of keeping his GPA over 3.75. In his spare time, he is a member of the Drill Team, and has just started a UNC NROTC Quartet music ensemble!
MIDN 3/C John Shea, a Navy Option Midshipman, received the Ledford Scholarship, named for YNCM Donald R. Ledford, US Navy (Ret), UNC NROTC’s longest serving Administrative Officer and mentor to generations of young Midshipmen. Shea plans to major in History and Global Studies and intends to select Explosive Ordinance Disposal for his career path. He is a member of the Drill Team, and has served as Drill Team/Color Guard Commander. This semester he is the Unit PT Officer, and in spare time he is a beach lifeguard.
MIDN 3/C Catherine Strong, also a Navy Option, received the UNC NROTC Alumni Association Scholarship. Strong plans to major in Peace, War and Defense (PWAD) and Political Science. She has several interests for her Navy Service selection, including Aviation, Surface Warfare, and Intelligence. Strong made the Dean’s List for the Fall 2018 Semester, and is a
published author in UNC PWAD Department’s magazine,
The Internationalist. In her spare time, she focuses on
CrossFit, is a member of the UNC Weightlifting Club, and plays the piano.
She is also a member of the Drill Team.
Congratulations to this year’s scholarship recipients!!
Our scholarship program embarked on an ambitious fundraising campaign over the past three years to endow the existing scholarships. Thanks to the work of the Scholarship Committee and contributions from many generous alumni, we met our goal to raise our endowment to over $60,000 (net after disbursements) one year ahead of schedule. Again, many, many thanks to our generous contributors!
In 2019, the Scholarship committee plans to take a break from fundraising and focus on two other areas of interest for the scholarship program. First, we believe it is time to name our NROTC Alumni Scholarship for an Alumni, and are seeking nominations in that regard. As the two other scholarships are named for Navy veterans, this could be an opportunity to honor a Marine Alumnus or Alumna.
We would also like to find a way to add an additional category of “need” to students under consideration for UNC NROTC Alumni Association scholarships. We will work with the NROTC Unit Staff to determine appropriate quantifiable methods to consider need in some capacity. There is certainly more work to be done to bring this about, but as it has come up in several recent scholarship discussions, we feel we should investigate this additional criteria as an option.
Again, thank you to the many generous alumni who made our scholarship fund drive so successful! We look forward to seeing everyone at the 2019 Alumni Annual Meeting and Reunion this fall!
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2018 Annual Meeting and Reunion BBQ
Photos by David L. Jackson '87
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President Eric Schneider '86 making introductions
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Kevin Martin, Dan Wright '86, Don Ledford
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Distinguished Alumnus Award 2018 presentation to William O. McCoy '55 (Life Member #209)
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"It's a pretty good crowd for a Saturday" Billy Joel
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Captain Marc Stern, USN (CO & PNS)
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Captain Mikal Phillips '97 and family
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Distinguished Alumnus Award 2018 presentation to Captain Mikal J. Phillips, USN '97 (Life Member)
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Frank Linkous '87, Dr. Marianne Waldrop '87 Kim Schneider, Pat Riordan '87, Steve Levesque '89 and Rob Gionfriddo '86
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2019 Membership
If you haven't already done so, it is time to join or renew your membership for 2019.
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Please become a paid member. We need you!
Most Popular option: Life Membership
GREAT VALUE: 5 YEAR MEMBERSHIP
5 years of membership for the price of four!
Click the green bar below to join renew or upgrade.
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Your dues contribution pays for our website, database software, financial management software and the Distinguished Alumnus /Alumna and Distinguished Service Awards; these funds enable us communicate with the graduates so we can host and organize alumni events to support our NROTC Unit and Midshipmen. The Scholarships, Dawson Library and Connor Awards are funded through non-dues contributions. Events (Annual Meeting & Reunions) are funded on a pay-as-you go basis by event participants.
Thanks to the following alumni (in addition to our 186 living Life Members) who have made the commitment of ongoing support to our Association.
Life members are listed in order of life membership
here
;
Current paid members listed by both class year and alphabetically by last name
here
.
New Life members for 2019:
1
- #210 Melanie Kaye Ahle '04
Life installment members
: 3
- Lane S. Anderson, III '67
- Mikal J. Phillips '97
- David Pardue '09
Five Year Members for 2019:
36
- Donald R. Ledford - Staff Alumnus
- Kevin L. Martin - Staff Alumnus
- Stephen Matts - Staff Alumnus
- A. Earle Garrett, III '56
- George Moseley '61
- Robert C. Crates '63
- F. Norman Christopher '65
- Alan V. Monette '65
- Charles J. Wolfe '65
- Thomas W. Wright '66
- Robert Young '67
- Bryant Byrd '68
- Irvin W Hankins, III '68
- Ronald N. McManus '68
- Andrew J. Arnold '69
- William O. Leonard, III '69
- David A. Fish '70
- James Zumwalt '70
- James Day '73
- Nick Pulignano, Jr. '74
- Michael Clark '75
- Clifton W. Moore, Jr. '76
- Michael Wellman '77
- Steven Briganti '78
- Anthony P. Donaldson '83
- Thomas Brantley Burgiss '84
- Robert G. "Butch" Bracknell '93
- James W. Hendley '94
- Michael Carreiro '96
- Sarah E. Eason '18
- Tatihana V. Moreno '18
- Samir D. Patel '18
- Thomas J. Singley '18
- Alexander H. Stephenson '18
- Bryan M. Towers '18
- Carlos A. Urquilla '18
2019 Annual Members
: 8
- Alec Decker '61
- James A. Thompson '64
- Richard Greenamyer '66
- Robert W. Etheridge, III '71
- Robert K. Eby, Jr. '73
- Robert Rivers '73
- James L. Barge '85
- Richard D. Sampson '86
Classes with the most number of Life members: 1985(13); 1986(11); 1959(8); 1987(8)
Classes with most number of total members:1985 (15); 1986(12); 1959 (10), 1970, 1987 and Staff Alumni (8 each);
Classes with no current members: 1962,1976, 1999, 2006-2008, 2010, 2013, 2015-2016.
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Now Hear This: Scuttlebutt!
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Robert Etheridge '71 (Member)
- sent the following photo (see right). This is he on board USS COLOOSAHATCHIE (AO-98).
- Rob is trying to find a copy of the "Clipper '71" yearbook. If you have a copy, please contact him (using the find a classmate feature on our website) or you may contact the Secretary at secretary@uncnrotcaa.org and we will put you in touch with each other.
Jim Barge '85 (Member)
reports (recent photo to the right):
- Just passed 23 years at GE Aviation
- 5 grandchildren
- Celebrated 10th wedding anniversary in Oct (second time around)
- Retired from Navy Reserve in 2011 with 26 yrs as CAPT
- Lives in West Chester, Ohio
- Working on PhD in Organizational Leadership
- Teaching at Mount St. Joseph University as Adjunct in Organizational Leadership- /MBA programs
Lt. Gen George W. Smith, Jr, USMC '85
- Photographed recently accompanying call sign "CHAOS" on Secretary Mattis' final day in office. George remains on assignments serving as Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense.
Dan Rabil '86
(Life Member #196, Past Officer & Director)
, photo at right from June 1985 when Dan was a rising MIDN 1/C; he reports:
- Class of '86 comrades Sam Hughes and Dan Rabil reunited in Colorado in October for their first elk hunt. Sam and his wife Mitzi (UNC '88) hosted Dan for several days at their home in Breckenridge, which was no doubt an act of supreme sacrifice. Many NROTC alumni ears were burning as the three caught up on old times. The hunt itself was a success, with Sam scoring a bull on the first morning and providing trusty sidekick services until Dan got lucky two days later.
Please help populate this column. Tell us what is going on in your life and career. Keep your classmates up to date. Send your input to:
secretary@uncnrotcaa.org
The next News Bulletin expected to publish on Sunday, 31 March 2019. Deadline for input is Friday, 29 March2019.
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In a recent major database refresh from the University, the Association has updated its master database of NROTC alumni. In doing so we learned that 232 alumni have passed over the past ten years. 567 NROTC alumni are recorded as deceased out of over 2060 total recorded graduates. As a service to our members, we have created a new feature on the website available for paid members entitled
Deceased Alumni
.
The feature may be found on the Alumni Service and Information Resource tabs of the website. Please notify the Secretary if you know of errors or additional alumni who should be listed here.
The Association has received notification of the following shipmate from our ranks who has crossed the bar. The President and Board of Directors express condolences to the family and friends of:
John B. "Jack" Mayo, Jr '60
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If you know of a UNC NROTC Alumnus who has passed away, let us know so that this information may be reported in the News Bulletin under "Taps".
The next News Bulletin expected to publish on Sunday, 31 March 2019. Deadline for input is Friday, 29 March2019.
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UNC NROTC Alumni Association| Email: secretary@uncnrotcaa.org | Website: www.uncnrotcaa.org
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