RESCHEDULED DUE TO HURRICANE MILTON

The annual U.S. Naval Academy Founders Day Students & Candidate Dinner, sponsored for student guests, will be held on Wednesday, October 30, 2024. This year’s theme is:

“The United States Naval Academy — Providing Graduates
 Who Have the Potential to Assume the Highest Responsibilities
Of Command, Citizenship, and Government.”

The USNA Alumni Association Tampa Bay Chapter welcomes all Florida West Coast freshmen through senior high school students (and their parents) who are Naval Academy candidates or who are students interested in learning more about the Naval Academy. Our Founder’s Day Dinner is a celebration of the anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Naval Academy. The purpose of the event is to provide valuable information on the Naval Academy and the admissions process.

The dinner will be held at the Feather Sound Country Club (I-275, off Ulmerton Road in Pinellas County, just over the Howard Frankland Bridge – 2201 Feather Sound Drive). A pre-dinner reception will start at 1800 hours (6:00 PM) followed by presentation of colors and dinner starting at 1900 hours (7:00 PM). The program will end at about 2100 hours (9:00 PM).

Active duty, reserve, and retired Navy and Marine Corps officer alumni will be on hand to share their academy and service experiences with students, candidates, and parents on a one-to-one basis during dinner.

The Naval Academy offers 26 majors, from Aerospace Engineering to Arabic. There are over 36 intercollegiate sports for men, women, and co-ed, and many other club and intramural sports. The Naval Academy is a highly ranked Division I University with a full range of extracurricular activities. Over 30 percent of Midshipmen are women, and diversity and inclusion are highly valued.

An appointment to the Naval Academy is valued at over $420,000.

The Tampa Bay Alumni Chapter will host all candidates and students. All candidates/students must be accompanied by at least one parent. There is no cost to the candidate or student in this case. For all others, there will be a fee of $60.00 per person for dinner (registration goes up to $65.00 after September 20th). For candidates or students without a paying adult with them, there will be a fee of $30 (and $32.50 after September 20^th). The two entrée choices are: Sun-Dried Chicken Mediterranean OR Citrus Rosemary Wild Salmon. Also included are House Salad, Vegetable of the Day, Fresh Baked Assorted Rolls and Whipped Herb Butter, Iced Tea, Water and Coffee Service. Dessert will include a special “Cake Cutting” using Navy and Marine Corps ceremonial swords. A cash bar will be available during the reception.

Reservations, entrée choices, and payment are required by Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at 2359 hours (11:59 PM).  Please make your reservations early to ensure your opportunity to become informed about the Naval Academy and to take advantage of the early registration payment discount! Go to 2024 Founders Day Dinner at https://myusna.com/events/96793 and follow the steps to register, chose your entrée, and pay.

Dress will be Summer White for Navy, Class “C” uniform for Marines, Business dress for civilians and students (shirt & tie or skirt/slacks) or equivalent JROTC/Sea Cadet uniform.

For further details, please feel free to Steve Swift sswift@1987.usna.com.