National Conference for Undergraduate Research: 
Seven cadets travelled to the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse to present their research findings related to their independent or small-group research courses. The cadets presented four talks and one poster to eager audiences. The cadets, all Firsties, represented the Academy and their disciplines well. Each presentation also resulted in a paper that will be included in the official proceedings of the conference.
Guest Lecture – Dr. Eric Fossum, Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth: Dr. Eric Fossum from the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College presented a lecture to a standing-room only audience of Electrical Engineers and IT students entitled, “ Inside Your Camera: The Science and Technology of Digital Image Sensors.” Dr. Fossum is the inventor of the active-pixel sensor that is basis for nearly all digital cameras in use today. He provided an in-depth analysis of the inner workings of digital imaging systems, including an explanation of why having more pixels does not necessarily result in creating better pictures. The lecture was part of the EE400 Electrical Engineering Seminar Course
Phi Kappa Phi: 
The National Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi held its annual induction and awards ceremony in the Haig Room. Top cadets from classes of 2015 and 2016 were recognized along with new faculty and cadet members from the classes of 2013 and 2014. Five scholastic achievement awards were also presented. The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is the oldest and most prestigious interdisciplinary honor society in the United States. Founded in 1897, admission is by invitation only. Seniors must be in the top 10% of their class while juniors must be in the top 7.5% of their class. Their adopted motto is “Let the love of learning rule humanity.” West Point’s chapter received the Chapter of Merit award this past year, one of only 54 schools out of 300 campuses.
Flying Laboratory: ME387, Introduction to Applied Aerodynamics, recently concluded its run of flight laboratory exercises. 37 cadets completed their first flight lab experience within the Aeronautical Systems sub-discipline.
CE371 Soil Mechanics and Foundation Design Trip Section: 
56 civil engineering cadets in the Soil Mechanics and Foundation Design course participated in a trip section as part of Moles Day. The Moles organization (http://www.themoles.info/) is composed of individuals now or formerly engaged in the construction of tunnel, subway, sewer, and foundation, marine, sub-aqueous or other heavy construction projects. The group hosts an annual Moles Day during which students are invited to tour some of the largest construction sites in the metro New York City area. This year, nearly 400 civil engineering students from 20 different academic institutions toured the East Side Access (ESA) tunnel and terminal construction on-going approximately 120-ft below Grand Central Terminal in New York City. This Metro Transit Authority capital construction project has a budget of $8.2B and is slated for completion in 2019. When completed, the ESA will connect the Long Island Rail Road’s Main and Port Washington lines in Queens to a new terminal beneath Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan.
Surgical Technique Independent Study Projects (ME489): 
Surgeons from Keller Hospital working with cadets and faculty from the mechanical engineering program in D/CME turned a portion of B-level Mahan Hall into a surgical prep ward for several days preparing porcine patellas and tendons for a series of bio-mechanical experiments designed to evaluate the strength of different methods of re-attaching tendons during surgery. Evaluation of alternative methods to reconstruct torn tendons and ligaments can potentially benefit many soldiers since lower leg injuries are extremely common. Improved techniques for re-tethering tissue could reduce the time required to heal, getting soldiers back to full physical strength much faster.
Mechanical Engineering Capstone: Liquid Spray Testing at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD: Cadets Alex Sagues, Dan Eichner, and Matthew Ryan traveled with faculty to the Army Research Laboratory where they conducted extensive experiments under the direction of Dr. Mike “Chol-Bum” Kweon in the Combustion Research Lab of the Vehicle Technology Directorate.
4th Annual Inter-Academy Chemistry Symposium: 
USMA, USNA, USAFA, and USGCA participated in the 4th Annual Inter-Academy Chemistry Symposium (IACS) at the Coast Guard Academy in order to enable an Inter-Academy level exchange of ideas and a broadening experience between chemistry, life science, and chemical engineering faculty, cadets, and midshipmen. Cadets Aaron Beyea’14, Zach Bowers ‘14, Lauren Ng ‘15, John Bohnhoff ‘15, and Reed Pyers’15, presented their research on electrochemical sensors and microbial fuel cells respectively.
Academic Trip Follow-up: The Wildlife Conservation Society and the Bronx Zoo hosted a reception to mark the opening of an exhibition of photographs taken by students from Kigarama Primary School (Uganda) and the WCS affiliated Urban Assembly School for Wildlife Conservation in the Bronx. Cadets Ken Jackson and Joshua Karper, who experienced summer AIADs to Uganda, attended the event.
EV388B (Geomorphology) Guest Lecturer: 
EV388B (Geomorphology) hosted guest lecturer Dr. J. Steven Kite, Chair of the Department of Geology and Geography, West Virginia University. Dr. Kite presented his talk, “Global Warming Threats to Pleistocene Appalachian Ecosystems Preserved in Cold Air Traps".
“Dirtman” and WPES and WPMS: 
On Earth Day, Dirtman was invited to visit to the West Point Elementary and Middle Schools. Bringing the students the message that humans must interact responsibly with our planet, Dirtman encouraged all of the students to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle at every opportunity.
Wirt Robinson Memorial Cleans up: 
The cadets of the Engineers and Scientists for a Sustainable World Club (ESSW) conducted their annual clean up of the Wirt Robinson Memorial. The cadets of ESSW clean these grounds every year as a service to West Point because Professor Robinson was a naturalist and a revered faculty member in G&EnE for many years in the late 1800s.
Mr. John Ghoehrke from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Cadets from PL371: Introductory Sociology participated in a VTC with Mr. John Ghoehrke from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, located in Cleveland, Ohio. The lesson was entitled "Ball of Confusion" which examined examples of ways musicians have used the power of popular music to respond to current events and suggest avenues for social change.
Class of ’83 Distinguished Leader Series (’83 DLS): 
BS&L hosted Mr. Mike Ullman, CEO of JC Penney Corporation. Mr. Ullman visited West Point in order to speak to cadets as part of ‘83 DLS. He discussed leading through adversity with 70 cadets from the Management program and cadets in the Black and Gold Leadership Forum.
Army/Navy Functional Fitness Competition: 
A team of cadets competed against Navy in a functional fitness competition in Philadelphia, PA hosted by CrossFit 215. The cadets battled the Midshipmen and an all-star team from CrossFit 215 in a series of four different workouts that challenged the cadets mentally and physically. In the end the cadets secured a 2nd place finish after soundly defeating members of CrossFit 215.
