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Subj: Large Alumni Gift to USNA
Refer to: Central Region Letter 23-03; August 26, 2003
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PLEASE DO NOT HIT REPLY TO E-MAIL ME. I WILL NOT GET IT. E-MAIL ME DIRECTLY
AT MY USNA ALUMNI CLASSMAIL ADDRESS, len.wass@1964.usna.com
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Chapter Officers - Please give this e-mail the widest possible distribution
among your members and other alumni in your area.
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This message is being sent to All Alumni Leadership. Please
give this the widest distribution possible!
I am very excited to formally announce that Jack Stephens, Class of 1947,
has made a significant gift to the Leaders to Serve the Nation Campaign.
In checking with my counterparts at the other service academies, I can
also say with confidence that Jack's $10 Million gift is the largest donation
in the history of service academy fund-raising. The enclosed press release
pretty much tells it all except for the diligence of our own Dan Struble
'83 working with Ambassador Vern Weaver '47 who together facilitated the
process of this tremendous and timely gift.
A local newspaper broke some of the story yesterday afternoon. However,
you now have all of the facts. This release has been coordinated with
Mr. Stephens' office, the Naval Academy and the NAAA. I hope each of you
can sense our collective enthusiasm for the impact of this generous demonstration
of philanthropy. Please feel free to offer this important news item to
the media in your region. We appreciate your help in advancing the Naval
Academy as an institution focused on leadership...and on producing leaders
of great character.
Go Navy!!
George P. Watt, Jr. '73
President and Chief Executive Officer
USNA Alumni Association and Foundation
Forwarded for your information, originated by Skid Heyworth at USNAAA:
United States Naval Academy Foundation
Receives $10 Million Gift
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:
Lawrence Heyworth III
VP, Communications
410-263-4448, ext. 104
Annapolis, Md. (August 7, 2003) - The United States Naval Academy
Campaign: Leaders to Serve the Nation has received a $10 million
gift from Mr. Jackson T. Stephens of Little Rock, Arkansas. Mr. Stephens
is a 1947 graduate of the Naval Academy and Chairman of Stephens Group,
Inc. His gift, announced today by the United States Naval Academy Foundation,
will support the ongoing renovations of Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium,
the Class of 1947 Legacy project to benefit the Academy's Museum, and
other important Campaign priorities. The field at Navy Marine Corps Memorial
Stadium will be named "Jack Stephens Field" in honor of the
donor.
"The Leaders to Serve the Nation Campaign has attracted the
involvement of alumni and friends of the Academy who are leading by example,
with their time, talent, and resources," said George P. Watt, Jr.,
President and CEO of the United States Naval Academy Alumni Association
and Foundation. "Jack Stephens is such a leader. His gift provides
an incredible enhancement to the Campaign and for stadium fundraising,
but the job is not done. We need others to follow his lead as we press
to complete the stadium and other Campaign priorities."
Roger Staubach, Co-Chair of the Campaign and a 1963 Heisman Trophy winner
from Navy, noted his appreciation for the gift, "Jack Stephens' gift
is truly
transformational. He has helped make it possible to transform Navy Marine
Corps Memorial Stadium to a state-of-the-art facility. I wish I could
play on Jack Stephens Field!"
Mr. Stephens expressed pride in being able to help his alma mater. "It
is an honor to be able to support the Campaign and to give back to an
institution that has given me
and our nation so much. The Naval Academy played an important role in
my life. Some of my closest friends and the men I hold in highest esteem
are my Naval Academy classmates."
Stadium renovations are now in high gear to complete the next phase before
the academy's football season starts (August 30). Chet Gladchuk, the Athletic
Director at the Naval Academy embodies the newfound optimism surrounding
the stadium, "You can feel the excitement among the athletes, coaches,
staff, the teams that will play here, and midshipmen in general. This
stadium is going to be something really special for the Naval Academy,
Annapolis and all our fans within the Division IA football ranks. It will
be a great place to play and to watch a game while reflecting on the wonderful
traditions and history of the Academy and Naval Service."
Vice Admiral Rodney P. Rempt, Superintendent, expressed the gratitude
of the Naval Academy for this gift to the Naval Academy Foundation, "Jack
Stephens is honoring in a significant way the men and women who served,
and continue serving, our Navy and Marine Corps. Navy Marine Corps Memorial
Stadium embodies the link between those who have sailed in harm's way,
and those who will one day be called to do so in defense of our great
nation. Midshipmen past, present and future look forward to the dedication
of Jack Stephens Field."
The United States Naval Academy Leaders to Serve the Nation Campaign
seeks $175 million over a six-year period for strategic priorities in
admissions, academics, leadership, character and athletics. The Campaign
is scheduled to run through December 31, 2005.
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