WEST POINT – The US Military Academy will graduate over 1,110 cadets in the Class of 2020 at a commencement ceremony on the Plain tomorrow, Saturday.
The event, which will be closed to the public, may be watched live athttps://www.youtube.com/TheWestPointChannel .
President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver the commencement address as the academy marks the 245thanniversary of the Army’s birthday.
This year’s class also marks the 40-year anniversary of females graduating in 1980.
It includes cadets from all 50 states and 12 countries: Bosnia, Herzegovina, Georgia, Honduras, South Korea, Kosovo, Moldova, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Tanzania.
It has 38 scholarship recipients to include Rhodes, Fulbright, Marshall, Schwarzman and Truman.
It has a combined .570 winning percentage competing for the Black Knights, 13 NCAA team appearances, 11 Patriot League championships and three Bowl victories, has 54 victories against Navy and 19 over Air Force, and won the Commanders in Chiefs Trophy twice.
“We look forward to welcoming the Class of 2020 into the Army Officer Corps during this challenging time for our nation,” said. U.S. Military Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Darryl Williams. “The Army’s newest second lieutenants, shaped by a rigorous military, physical, academic and character development over a 47-month journey, are ready to lead, fight and win in a COVID-19 environment.”
The commencement ceremony will take place on the parade field of the Plain and marks the second time in academy’s history since 1944. After size of the corps doubled in the 1960s, it has been held at Michie Stadium with one exception in 1977 when it was under construction. Prior to being held at Michie Stadium, smaller ceremonies were held at Gillis Fieldhouse and Trophy Point.
NEWS STORY PROVIDED BY: Mid Hudson News -www.midhudsonnews.com