The Department of Mathematical Sciences hosted Colonel (retired) Frank Borman ’50, as a guest speaker for the Math Forum and as a course-wide guest lecturer for MA103. Colonel Borman taught thermodynamics and fluid mechanics at West Point from 1957-1960, served as an astronaut with NASA from 1960 to 1970, and as Chief Executive Officer of Eastern Air Lines from 1975 to 1986. In 1965, Colonel Borman set a 14-day spaceflight endurance record in Gemini 7. In 1969, he served as the Commander of Apollo 8, which was the first mission to fly around the Moon. He was the first of only 24 humans to ever fly to or around the Moon. He also served as the Chairman of the Special Commission on the United States Military Academy. In December 1976, the commission published a landmark paper, known as the "Borman Report", which detailed the commission's examination of the Honor System at West Point in response to the cheating scandal in Electrical Engineering in the early to mid-1970s.
Several of the commission's recommendations, including greater emphasis on education and training, standardized enforcement, and more opportunities for rehabilitation in lieu of dismissal, were adopted by the Academy and serve as key elements of the current Honor System. During the Math Forum, Colonel Borman met with approximately 100 upper class cadets majoring in math, operations research, and several other STEM disciplines. During the MA103 course lecture, Colonel Borman spoke to about 930 members of the class of 2020. In both events, Colonel Borman spoke about several of his personal experiences as a cadet at West Point, as a junior officer and pilot on active duty in the Air Force, and as an astronaut. He highlighted the importance of developing personal character and maintaining integrity. He also spoke about the primacy of being dedicated to mission and doing one's duty no matter how difficult or challenging the circumstances. He articulated his view that the space race of the 1960s between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. was a component of the Cold War. Colonel Borman believes we "tied" the Soviets in Korea, lost in Vietnam, but won decisively in space. He attributes the success of the NASA space program in the 1960s to the fantastic and collaborative leadership team, a dedicated and self-less workforce of over 400,000 people, and a top-to-bottom commitment to mission success by all who were associated with NASA. Colonel Borman ended each session with cadets by answering their questions, and staying at the platform to take pictures and sign autographs. Colonel Borman brought the house down when one cadet asked about his best and most memorable experience as a cadet when he responded, without hesitation, "Graduation!"
Two members of the Army West Point Triathlon team participated in the USA Triathlon Draft Legal National Championships in New Orleans, LA. The men’s race was for age groups 18-24 and the women’s race was combined with the NCAA triathlon emerging sport for women National Championships. CDT Teresa Groton ’18, competed in the women’s race. She was 4th out of the water and 11th overall in a very deep and competitive field that included amateur and professional triathletes from across the United States. CDT Jacob Slife ’18, finished 3rd in the men’s race. Because of his finish, Jacob qualified for the draft-legal World Championships held in Rotterdam, Netherlands in September 2017.
Kosciuszko Squadron Polish Culture Forum assisted groups from the Greater-New York Polish community and other volunteer groups to run a water station at the 13th mile of the New York City Marathon. Begun in 1970, the NYC Marathon this year hosted over 50,000 runners. Kosciuszko Squadron cadets also provided water and cheers for Cadets from the West Point Marathon Team as they passed the station. After a full day of work at the event, Cadets went to the Polish neighborhood of Greenpoint, Brooklyn, to enjoy authentic Polish cuisine at Karczma Restaurant before heading back to West Point.
Army West Point men's basketball saw first-year Matthew Wilson named Patriot League the Rock Rookie of the Week on Monday after his impressive performance over the weekend. The Alexandria, KY, native earned the league's first rookie weekly honor of the season. Wilson scored 10 points in his collegiate debut Friday in Army's 91-77 loss at No. 5 Oregon. Wilson finished second on the team in scoring, hitting 5-of-7 attempts from the field in his 17 minutes. The rookie recorded six of those 10 points in the second half alone. He also added two rebounds on the night. 
Student delegates from 130 colleges and universities nationwide, and from 25 foreign countries, descended upon West Point from November 9 to November 12 for the 68th annual Student Conference on U.S. Affairs (SCUSA). Started in 1948 to discuss how to rebuild Europe in the wake of World War II, SCUSA attracts outstanding scholars and practitioners each year to guide hundreds of students through discussions of some of the most important foreign policy problems facing the United States.
23 Cadets enrolled in Dr. Richmond’s EV391a, Land Use Planning and Management, visited the first environmentally friendly residential tower in Manhattan, the Solaire. Cadets got a tour and were able to experience the technology used to make this a “green” building. In the afternoon, Cadets explored the highline to see how this once functioning elevated streetcar was turned into a park and tourist destination, thereby transforming the urban space.
BSL cadets in the MG380 Marketing course traveled to New York City to meet with leaders from the Blkbox marketing firm. Cadets engaged with leaders on topics of branding, strategy, influence and persuasion. The event provided cadets the opportunity to integrate business and marketing content from across the course and discuss how marketing skills are relevant and impactful for Army leaders. Blkbox was founded and led by USMA graduates Dionna McPhatter, Keenan Beasley, and Jermaine Clark.
After helping lead the Army West Point volleyball team to a 2-0 weekend and clinch a spot in the Patriot League Tournament, Allie Strong was named the league's Rookie of the Week. Strong notched a team-high 25 kills over the weekend with 13 coming against Lehigh and 12 versus Bucknell. The freshman averaged 3.57 kills per set and added three service aces and 16 digs. The Overland Park, KS, native ranks second in the league for service aces per set with a season average of 0.41, and is first in league-only statistics with 0.54 per set. Strong leads Army with 3.38 points per set on the season and posts 2.80 kills per set. The Black Knights solidified their No. 3 seed in the Patriot League Tournament with Friday night's 3-1 win over Lehigh. 
The Center for Leadership and Diversity in STEM via the Minorities in Mathematics Speakers Series (MIMSS) recently had visits from guest speakers. They hosted Dr. Bobby Wilson, C.L.D Moore Instructor at MIT. Dr. Wilson presented on “Interplay Between Fractals, Projections and Differentiability” to USMA cadets and faculty. Attendees were introduced to the notion of geometric measure theory involving fractal sets, their projections and the relationship between the projections of differential curves and unrectifiable sets. Link to his talk: 
The Army West Point hockey team had two members gain weekly awards from the Atlantic Hockey Association after a weekend sweep over Canisius. Dominic Franco was named the Rookie of the Week, while Dalton MacAfee garnered Defenseman of the Week accolades. Franco led the Black Knights with five points in the team's 3-0 and 5-2 victories over the Golden Griffins. The freshman had a hand in all three goals on Friday night off two assists and his first career goal. Then on Saturday, he tallied his second goal and third assist of the weekend. The Portsmouth, RI, native was part of a line that combined for 13 points over the two games. Franco is now tied for first on the team in points with seven. He is tied for third in the league in rookie scoring with 0.78 points per game which also ranks him 25th in the nation. Along with being named the Army Athletic Association Athlete of the Week and the Atlantic Hockey Association Rookie of the Week, Franco was named the second Star of Division I hockey awarded by the NCAA. MacAfee tallied two points over the weekend for Army off a goal and an assist. He assisted Tipper Higgins on the redirect on Friday night and netted his own on Saturday to post a +4 performance on the weekend. The Needham, MA, native is part of the second-rank scoring defense in the nation that posts 1.33 points per game. He is also a member of the second-best penalty killing defense in the country with a .918 efficiency. 
On 2 November, the Spanish Language and Cultural Club celebrated “Día de los Muertos”, or the Day of the Dead at the Train Station in West Point. This holiday focuses on family and friends that have passed away. Their loved ones commemorate their death by celebrating it and ensuring their spirit is not forgotten. Dr. Amell and the Cadets enjoyed the day with food, decorations, and a skull for each characteristic of the holiday. The Cadets enjoyed being able to integrate themselves into a Mexican cultural event.
Following a 20-10 season and clinching the third seed in the league tournament, four members of the Army West Point volleyball team have garnered All-Patriot League accolades. Junior Carolyn Bockrath was voted onto the first team, while senior Olivia Fairfield, junior Vanessa Wesley and freshman Allie Strong earned second team recognition. "We are so proud of our team's work ethic and focus this season," said head coach Alma Kovaci Lee. "This year, our starting line-up consist of four freshmen that play a major role in our team's success. To have a 20-win season (with a tough pre-season schedule) with as many freshmen on the line-up as we've had this season shows how great the culture is on this team. Olivia Fairfield, our only senior, has lead and continued to lead our team selflessly. The junior class has also stepped up and it is so great to see." For the third straight season, Bockrath has garnered All-League awards from the Patriot League. The middle blocker earned the first team honors for the 2016 season after being given second team honors in 2014 and 2015, and being named the Rookie of the Year in 2014. "Carol is incredibly passionate about the game," said Kovaci Lee. "She is extremely competitive and more than anything, she hates to lose. Her mental toughness and competitive spirit is easily seen not only in matches, but also in any small warm-up games we play in practice." The Newport Beach, CA, native led the team and conference in hitting percentage for the second straight year with a .378 average. Bockrath boasts a 3.03 points per set average off of 150 kills and adds 0.38 blocks per set. She totaled eight double-digit kill matches, two of which she hit over .600. 
In spite of windy conditions, the Flying Team conducted some great training. Team CIC, Alaina Kappner, led an orientation of the Hudson Corridor, flying two teammates down the Hudson River, past the NYC skyline and back, some of the busiest airspace in the world. CDT Taylor successfully completed his Biennial Flight Review, a check ride required by the FAA every two years.
The Army West Point men's basketball team registered its first victory of the season Tuesday night in its home opener against Mount Saint Mary (NY). The Black Knights saw four cadet-athletes reach double-digits with Luke Morrison's 14 points leading the way. Also hitting twin figures was Jordan Fox (12 points), Scott Mammel (11 points) and Thomas Funk (10 points). Fox and Funk both registered career highs, while Mammel matched his. Morrison came one-point shy of equaling his best career effort. Leading Army on the boards was rookie Matthew Wilson, who posted his first career double-figure rebounding night. The first-year grabbed 10, including eight on the defensive glass. Mac Hoffman was a close second notching nine rebounds to go along with his six points. Funk and Fox added five assists each, to lead all players, while John Miller registered his first two career blocks. Army started the game hitting three consecutive 3-pointers to create an early 9-0 lead. 
21 Management Cadets, three Management Instructors and one Engineering Psychology Instructor visited Google NYC in order to immerse cadets in the corporate culture by fusing course content with real world application. During the visit Google Executives led discussions on Culture, Human Resources Management, Leadership, and Innovation. All topics were just recently covered in the Introduction to Management Course for Management Majors. Cadets were fully participative and attentive during the discussions, synthesizing the corporate world with the course material. The reciprocating event occurs during the spring semester when the Management Program hosts Google and we lead interactive discussions on character, ethics, and leadership.
Sometimes hockey is about more than wins and losses. It's about giving back to the game the players love, inspiring youth to achieve their on-ice best, and role-modeling leadership and character. As a prelude to the third annual Royal Cup face-off against Navy, Club Hockey players skated with Reading-area youth hockey players in a 90-minute clinic. Male and female skaters ranged in ability and age, from those in their first season on ice to early teens. Players worked on skating skills, puck handling, goaltending, and scoring. West Point team captain Zach Cohen ’17 was joined by fellow Black Knights including Wyomissing-Reading native Drew Lysakowski ’17, Jake Brown ’17, Jake Stachurski ’20, Caleb Septer ’20, and Jeston Rademaker ’20. Coaches and members of the Penn State Berks Ice Lions (ACHA DII) also skated with clinic attendees.
CDTs explored New York City, and saw an excellent Broadway show. As an added treat, a cast member talked to the cadets before the show and asked if they wanted a personal tour of the stage after the show. Mr. Michael Genet and Mr. Peter Scolari took great pride in sharing their work and advice with the cadets, and the group met several other actors from the show. All of the actors were surprised and delighted to learn that West Point has a Theatre club. Mr. Genet and Mr. Scolari repeatedly expressed their admiration for the cadets, and the cadets finished the evening equally inspired.
46 cadets and faculty from the Terrorism Studies minor conducted the CTC's annual New York City trip section. In the morning, the cadets received personalized tours of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. In the afternoon, the cadets received a briefing on current terrorist threats to New York City from the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force.
The cadets of the Army Martial Arts Team fought their hardest at Cornell University in the second Eastern Collegiate Taekwondo Conference (ECTC) tournament of the season. The team, suffering several injuries, stayed highly competitive with diminished numbers. In the Men’s Black Belt Division, A1 team Ziwei Peng and Matt Galea progressed to quarter-finals without a middleweight fighter. The A2 team with Anthony Chargualaf and David Kim progressed just as far in their bracket without a heavyweight fighter. On the Women’s Black Belt team, rookies Nicole Nettles and Taylor Reim showed strong performances by ending matches quickly with high volumes of body hits. In the Colored Belt Men’s Division, the B1 team with Eli Eichenberger, Will Xu, and Ellis Valdez took third. The A2 team with Takhyun Cho, who ended his last match with a knockout, and Halsey Smith dominated the Colored Belt Men’s Division, fighting to second place.
