Volume 3, Issue 1 • March 2020
A LETTER FROM AA PRESIDENT JENKINS I’m Hunter Jenkins ’85, president of the Alumni Association Board of Directors for 2019-20. I’m a legacy cadet of Lynn Jenkins ’57. I’m the proud father of five children (one of which passed away): Danielle, 31; Hunter II, 27; Christopher, 20; and Denver, 17. I’m divorced and live in Arkansas. After graduation, I kicked around for a couple years and then decided to pursue my passion and become a funeral director and embalmer. I graduated with an Associate of Arts in mortuary science from Northwest Mississippi Community College. Now, I live in Greenbrier, Arkansas, where I’m the logistic specialist for Roller Funeral Homes. In my spare time, I enjoy riding my Harley-Davidson trike and getting outdoors. I occasionally pick up a golf club, but age and ailments have pretty much gotten the best of me with that. I’m proud to be able to serve you as president of the BOD . On Dec. 6, the Board of Trustees (BOT) invited some of the BOD officers to attend a BOT meeting. This was a historic event as the BOD has never been invited to attend before. Those in attendance were Hunter Jenkins ’85, Kurt Bilsel ’81 and Jason Falbo-Gwinn ’88. Gregg Center ’90 attended via phone. We were invited to observe the BOT and how it works to position MMA for the next 130
Volume 3, Issue 1 • March 2020
years. You can rest assured that the Academy is on solid financial footing and that our BOT is working diligently to ensure that MMA’s strategic future is solid and forging ahead. MMA will continue to be an institution that takes young boys and shapes them into confident, positive and contributing forces in the world. Iron sharpens iron! At the BOT meeting, we were asked why there seems to be a disconnect between MMA and its alumni. Among the reasons was that the Academy leadership was slow to embrace the computer age. We discussed how alumni have felt that previous administrations didn’t keep in contact with them, which has caused some to not donate nor return to MMA. Fortunately, we have seen great strides in reversing this stigma with the appointment of our new president, Brig. Gen. Geraci, a fellow military school cadet; he attended and graduated from NMMI. If you have not been back to the 65265 in some time, I would challenge you to come to homecoming this year, which will be held Sept. 18-20, and see for yourself. During the meeting, we were also asked what MMA means to us and how it has affected our lives. We emphasized that it was more than just a school — it was our home during our
formative years. For the four-plus-year cadets, it raised them from teens to young men. We explained how some refer to MMA as the “mother ship” because when we graduated from it, we felt like we were leaving home. The way we described our relationship with the Academy very much resonated with the BOT. We also addressed how we at the Alumni Association can align ourselves with the BOT. One way included continuing efforts to become a driving force for meeting MMA’s strategic plan though alumni donation of time, talent and treasure. You can view the plan by clicking here. We discussed having a BOT and BOD liaison; our goal is for the BOD to have a permanent seat on the BOT in order to observe and give input on behalf of all alumni and the brotherhood. This is a long way off due to numerous hoops to jump through. Above all, we need to continue showing the BOT that we cherish and love our alma mater and that we will continue to strive for alignment with the direction and goals of MMA. The future looks bright, brothers, but these changes are not going to happen overnight. However, being invited to not only attend the meeting but also sit at the meeting table was a positive step in the right direction. I challenge each of you to become engaged and involved with our alma mater. Time, talent, treasure, Hunter Jenkins ’85 President Alumni Board of Directors, 2019-20
REVEILLE!
2
Alumni are the Gold in Maroon & Gold By Erin Schreyer, President, MMA Parents Committee
A gathering of MMA battalion commanders at the Maroon & Gold Gala 2019 — Rick Dehlinger ’93, Richard Choy ’19, Emran Babak ’16, Gregg Center ’91 and Dean Davison ’78. As Old Man Winter turns the pages of his last chapter, our gaze looks ahead to warmer temperatures, outdoor activities and Spring Family Weekend. The MMA campus will be bustling March 27–29 with excited families, showcasing cadet accomplishments and barely containing immeasurable pride from alumni, faculty, cadets and their loved ones. This year, Spring Family Weekend will offer something more. Spring is the season of new life, unprecedented growth and restored energy, so it’s more than appropriate that Missouri Military Academy’s annual Maroon & Gold Gala should be part of the festivities! This March 28 fundraiser honors the rich traditions and legacies of MMA while ensuring the Academy continues to flourish and reach for new standards of excellence. For families of currently enrolled cadets, this event means even more: an opportunity not only to invest, but to be inspired by you, the men who traveled this same journey before our sons. Your lives and successes give us hope for the futures of our cadets. You are the best proof that this model of growth and education works.
The way MMA alumni engage with our families, sharing stories and encouragement, is priceless. You give our boys unique vision for their lives, whether it’s an experienced tip on how to rise in rank this year or a longer view of perseverance learned in the corps of cadets that ultimately led to your successes later in life. You are the cadets’ dreams in action, their hopes put into reality.
Your commitment to return and to remain engaged is an investment in the lives of each and every boy currently or yet-to-be enrolled. It continues traditions, leadership and discipline in a world that needs it more than ever, carrying forth the need for values — love, honor and truth — all of which are often diminished in our current culture. It underscores that wisdom is timeless. It verifies that men are steadfast, relationships matter and MMA cadets never, ever give up. More than anything, though, your presence shows us love. And there is no greater force than that.
Your return to MMA’s campus and your continued support and involvement give life to the notion that their beloved Brotherhood is not fleeting; it lasts beyond their years on campus and extends to young men through Alumni, your involvement is gold to us, later generations. It is a bond truly precious and truly the that jettisons you forward yet highlight. We can’t wait to see you this Spring Family means so much that you’re Weekend. Maroon & Gold willing to extend your reach sparkles because of you. back to support the brothers you haven’t yet met. That Please take time to introduce bond of Brotherhood is a yourself. We look forward to cherished and meaningful link it! that extends the unbreakable chain, distributing energy from end to end. You are evidence that together is better. Erin Schreyer
REVEILLE!
3
Maroon & Gold Gala By Chris Gentry ’88 and Jarrod Magee ’97 My fellow Brothers, this is the time of year when we must lean on you to come support your alma mater. I promise this will be painless to read and rewarding to actually participate. The Academy hosts the annual Maroon & Gold Gala in March. Yes, gala! This event is the largest fundraiser for Missouri Military Academy. The gala helps support scholarships, academics, athletics, cadets’ activities and other programs that make MMA the ultimate 360-degree educational opportunity for now and the future. This year, the Academy has added extra flair: it will take place on campus in the fabulous Centennial Gymtorium and it will offer online bidding for those who cannot attend. To bid online, click here (starting March 14). The Maroon & Gold Gala begins at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, as part of MMA’s Spring Family Weekend. The weekend runs Friday, March 27, through Sunday, March 29, hosting a multitude of events. Those events are listed in this edition of Reveille. This will be a great opportunity to meet up with your fellow brothers, see the current corps of cadets and their parents, and view the awesome improvements to the campus. If you haven’t been on campus in a while, you will find new barracks, a new Stribling Hall, a new academic building, and a very beautiful statue of Col. Charles R Stribling III.
of the event. You could also donate items that can be auctioned to generate dollars. These items could be sitting in storage. Maybe you have signed sports memorabilia, cool artifacts, or unique framed photographs. What about a timeshare you aren’t using? Access to hotel reservations, sporting events, concerts? Vacation packages do very well in this auction and these items can be put together to make a great getaway to auction.
friends and patrons to come to the beautiful campus that will be blooming with spring colors and cadet activity. MMA is a 501(c) organization and will provide you with receipts for tax deduction purposes.
You can help the Maroon & Gold Gala in several ways. You could donate money directly to the Academy, as this is the main purpose
In the past, many alumni have attended these events; many more are expected this year. I welcome and encourage all alumni, parents,
Find more information on the website, MissouriMilitaryAcademy.org.
The Call of Sturgis By Hunter Jenkins ’85
To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Sturgis Bike Rally, a group of MMA alumni, friends and family are going to rally at Sturgis, South Dakota. Many alumni are arriving in Sturgis the week before to beat the crowds and enjoy the road together. To coordinate all the Brothers and friends that are attending, we created a Facebook group called 65265 Riders Alumni and Friends (join the Facebook group here).
Brother Lee Merrill ’92 is in charge of the group and has some RV spots reserved at Lamphere Ranch Campground. If you want to join him there, please do. You can contact Brother Lee by email at go.lmerrill@gmail. com. Word has it that commemorative patches will be given to all who attend. Hope to see you there!
To become a sponsor, donate cash, donate items or make reservations, contact Cassandra Brooks by email at Cassandra.Brooks@ MissouriMilitaryAcademy.com.
REVEILLE!
4
Will you support the 1889 Scholarship Fund? For the cost of a bottle of wine, fast food for two, or a car wash, you can help make the difference between a parent wanting to send their son to MMA, and the ability to send their son to MMA. The 1889 Scholarship is a monthly deduction of $18.89 that goes to fund scholarships for cadets. Start making a difference today. Sign up now.
Next Steps for the Col. Stribling Statue It is been 2 years since the Col. Stribling Statue was unveiled and one year since the statue was dedicated. This year the Alumni Association will close out fundraising for the statue with the placing of the bronze plaque recognizing those that contributed to the Granite Base sponsors ($1000 donors), Granite Façade sponsors ($500 donors), and surrounding Bricks sponsors ($250 donors). You can still support this effort and receive name recognition on the statue with a gift. Make a gift online. We would like to thank the following people for their support of the Col. Stribling Statue: • Statue benefactor, Phil Baum ‘63 • Artist, Javier Campuzano ‘82 • Statue transportation, Ricardo Uriegas ’91 Base Sponsors • Charles Foley ’53 • Lawrence Garrett ’57 • Terry Logue ’72 • Gregory Temple ’71 • Lynn ’57 and Hunter Jenkins ’85 Granite Façade Sponsors • Jason Falbo-Gwinn ’88 • Christopher Gentry ’88 • Chris Schafer ’89 • Jorge Soriano ’89 & Cassandra Brooks Brick Sponsors • Eric Johnson ’70 • Thomas Wittman ’75
Save the Dates!
Maroon & Gold Gala, March 28 Spring Family Weekend, March 27-28 Commencement, May 21-24 Homecoming, September 18-20
Support MMA’s Rifle Team in National Competition The Missouri Military Academy rifle team took fourth-place team honors at the JROTC Service Championship in Camp Perry, Ohio. The Colonels competed Feb. 14–16 in the sporter class, finishing ahead of 12 Army teams and all 10 of the Air Force teams. Cadet William Baker, a senior from Flower Mound, Texas, took first place among all 123 sporter competitors, earning an invitation to the 2020 National JROTC Championship March 19–21 at Camp Perry. Learn more. In alignment with our strategic plan objective to develop cadet life and Army JROTC programs, the Academy is working to improve our facilities and equipment for the rifle team, so, they will remain top competitors who continue to excel and hone their skills. MMA is working to add the first-ever MMA Marksmanship Course and expand the rifle range in the fieldhouse with additional digital lanes, as well as provide additional shooting equipment and expendable supplies for use in training. We need your support today to help fuel the growth and success of our highly competitive rifle program. Please consider making a gift (tax-deductible) towards our rifle team’s resources. By donating $250 or more, your name will be listed on our “rifle team donors” plaque at the rifle range. You can make a gift securely online at missourimilitaryacademy.org. Your support will directly impact the experience and success of our current and future rifle team cadets. Learn about the MMA rifle team’s needs. Give now.
REVEILLE!
5
Spring Family Weekend Schedule
Friday, March 27
Corps Formation 6:45 p.m. Attendance is mandatory for all cadets. Epple Fine Arts Show, Barnard Hall 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. View cadet talent on display at the Epple Fine Arts Show.
Saturday, March 28
Admissions Open House, Memorial Chapel 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Know a friend or family member whose son could benefit from MMA? Invite them to our Spring Family Weekend open house. Cadet Practice with Commandant 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Attendance is mandatory for all cadets. Flower Ceremony and Corps Review, Colonels Field 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. At the Flower Pinning Ceremony, mothers, grandmothers and other honored women in cadets’ lives step forward to pin red carnations to the cadets’ lapels. In case of inclement weather, this event will be held in the Alain M. Garcia Fieldhouse.
Maroon & Gold Gala, Centennial Gymtorium 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. MMA’s premier event! The Maroon & Gold Gala supports scholarships, athletics and academic programs. The evening begins with cocktail reception at 5:30 (browse and bid on silent auction items), followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Throughout the evening, enjoy entertainment by cadet musicians. Advance reservations required. No ticket refunds given for cancellations less than one week from the event. Make your reservations here.
New in 2020! Online Maroon & Gold Gala auction to support MMA. Great prizes, gift baskets and MMA memorabilia! Starting 3/14, place your bid at qtego.net/qlink/mma.
The President Brigadier General Richard V. Geraci, USA (Ret) and Mrs. Kathy Geraci request the pleasure of your company at
Saturday, the twenty-eighth of March two thousand and twenty The Centennial Gymtorium Missouri Military Academy Mexico, Missouri Cocktail reception and silent auction at 5:30 p.m. Dinner stations, live auction, and entertainment at 7 p.m. Business attire Please RSVP by March 14 RSVP online at bit.ly/Maroon-Gold-2020 An annual tradition and Missouri Military Academy’s premiere event and most important fundraiser of the year, the Maroon & Gold Gala supports every facet of the education provided at MMA — scholarships, athletics, academic programs, and more. Educating young men from around the world to take command of their lives, MMA offers college preparatory and career readiness programs in a military structured environment. Our 360° Education™ promotes academic excellence and success, character development, physical development, personal motivation and leadership training. Maroon & Gold sponsorship opportunities are available. Please contact Vice President for Institutional Advancement Bob Belknap at 573-581-1776, ext. 230, or bob.belknap@missourimilitaryacademy.com.
REVEILLE!
8
Alumni Association Dues Many don’t realize that your annual Alumni Association dues are not part of your Homecoming registration. If you go to Homecoming, we historically have collected Alumni Association yearly dues at that time. Dues not only help the association assist with homecoming activities, but also to align with a major Academy initiative that goes towards enriching the lives of the cadets. For the past two years, it has been the Memorial Chapel and Assembly Hall Campaign. The Alumni Association also sponsors the Senior Banquet and provides a gift to each senior, as well as a silent auction item for the Maroon and Gold banquet. The Alumni Association extends two free years of Alumni Association yearly dues to the graduating seniors. The Alumni Association can make these donations on behalf of our alumni only through the collection of yearly dues and those that join as Lifetime Members. Even if you don’t plan on attending Homecoming, your yearly Alumni Association dues go a long way to enrich the value that MMA brings to the cadets, who are our future alumni Brothers. Alumni Association Dues To that end, the Alumni Association is implementing a new yearly dues structure, with Homecoming acting as the year’s end. If an alumnus pays his dues between Oct. 1 and March 31, dues will be $50. If paid between April 1 and Sep. 30, dues will be $60. Finally, if an alumnus pays his yearly dues as part of on-site homecoming registration, those dues will be $75. As a special thank-you, alumni who make a tax-deductible donation of $250 or greater to any MMA initiative will have their Association dues waived for that year. Lifetime Members are exempt from yearly Alumni Association dues.
Membership Benefits
Each alumnus who pays his dues will receive the following: • A copy of the Alumni Association e-newsetter Reveille • A thank-you note from the Alumni Association president • A Christmas card and a yearly gift of appreciation MMA Alumni Association’s Tiered Lifetime Membership Program
need to make up the difference to the level you wish to achieve.
The Tiered Lifetime Membership Program has been growing since its inception, and tiered membership is now 160 members strong.
The Alumni Association is committed to MMA’s prosperous future. Any alumnus who puts a prospective cadet/family in contact with the admissions office will automatically become a Lifetime Member at no cost (as long as the contact enrolls as a cadet.)
All alumni and former cadets can participate, and MMA’s development office will gladly work with you on a payment program. The cost per level of the Tiered Lifetime Membership Program is as follows: Lifetime Member - $350 Maroon Lifetime Member - $500 Gold Lifetime Member - $750 1889 Lifetime Member - $1889 The Tiered Lifetime Membership Program includes the following benefits: • Identification of tiered status on Homecoming name tag • New members recognized at Convocation and in the Homecoming edition of the Eagle • Tiered Lifetime Members’ names will hang in a prominent place on campus Existing Lifetime Members If you are an existing Lifetime Member and wish to enter the Tiered Lifetime Membership program, you will be credited the amount you paid for your original lifetime membership and only
New Cadet Referral Rewards
Alumni who refer multiple families move up the Tiered Lifetime Member levels: Two cadets: Maroon Lifetime Member Three cadets: Gold Lifetime Member Four+ cadets: 1889 Lifetime Member The Alumni Association encourages all alumni and former cadets to help achieve the Academy’s goals for increasing cadet enrollment or partnering for initiatives directed for the betterment of cadet life. Your yearly Alumni Association dues, or participation in the Tiered Lifetime Membership Program, will help achieve our common goals. If you have questions about this program, contact any of the Alumni Association board members listed on the next page. Pay Alumni Association dues online.
REVEILLE!
9
Alumni Association Contacts Missouri Military Academy Alumni Association Board Hunter Jenkins ’85, President 337.378.9119 jenkinsh151@gmail.com
Chris Gentry ’88 308.458.8165 gentrycj@gmail.com
Mike Misemer ’89 941.328.2511 michaelmisemer@yahoo.com
Pedro Portilla ’82, President-Elect +011.521.8182.545.700 portilla_pedro@hotmail.com
Tod Thompson ’88 417.438.5522 todroe69@sbcglobal.net
Rob Farnam ’84, Vice President 314.337.2994 robfarnam592@yahoo.com
Jose Bours ’94 +52.644.159.4425 jfbours@gmail.com
Ricardo Uriegas ’91 US phone: +1 956 278 6022 Mex : + 52 1 81 2575 9429 rickuriegas@gmail.com
Gregg Center ’91, Treasurer 312.636.5153 gcenter13@gmail.com
Steve McDavid ’97 910.797.9277 mmaalumni97@gmail.com steven.mcdavid@socom.mil
Chris Schafer ’89, Secretary 346.804.7735 chris.schafer71@gmail.com
BOD Committee Members – Non-Voting
Jason Falbo-Gwinn ’88, Director of Class Agents 913.904.2567 jfalbo@hyalogic.com
Paul Petit ’87, Past President (2013-14) (011-52)55.2741-4115 paulpetit@vallypark.com
Richard Cooper ’82, Ex-Officio 281.635.3264 spankyc358@gmail.com
Greg Holten ’88 618.541.8026 gregholten@yahoo.com
Kurt Bilsel ’81, Under-Secretary 314.238.4050 kabilsel@gmail.com
Larry Wylie ’88 618.670.5660 larrywylie@gmail.com
Garrett Stockum ’87 309.275.1997 garrett@stockum.com
Clay Grant ’88 214.616.7233 sclaygrant@gmail.com
Jarrod Magee ’97 618.530.2981 jmageepainting@gmail.com Heinz Leigh ’99 573.999.0700 heinzleigh@gmail.com John Davis ’92 618.339.9125 jdavis151@gmail.com Jorge Yarte-Sada ’89 +35.1.962.498.294 +52.1.811.255.5107 jorgeyartesada@gmail.com Eric Martinson ’96 512.922.2990 emartins@austin.rr.com Bob Belknap, MMA Vice President for Institutional Advancement 512.922.2990 573.581.1776 ext 230 bob.belknap@missourimilitaryacademy.org
Reveille is an electronically published alumni newsletter, created in collaboration between the Missouri Military Academy Alumni Association and the MMA Marketing Department. Editors Chris Schafer ’89 Jason Falbo-Gwinn ’88 Jennifer O’Donley, MMA Marketing Director Design Connor Pearson, MMA Marketing Coordinator
Contact MMA’s alumni association at: mma.alumni.brotherhood@gmail.com
If you have questions, comments, or concerns about Reveille, please contact: Chris Schafer ’89 at Chris.Schafer71@gmail.com or Jason Falbo-Gwinn ’88 at JFalbo@hyalogic.com or marketing@missourimilitaryacademy.org.