From Class President Chris Cikanovich —

Dear Classmates:  The USNA Class of ’69 has helped find a solution to a need for mentoring support in the Fleet.   We get a lot of help in identifying problems, but it’s rare to have a group come with a solution, and the funding tail to help solve the problem.  We are very fortunate to have this help from the Class of ’69.  This program, while still relatively new – has yielded some very positive results.  We have over a thousand alumni involved and growing.  The Superintendent has permitted the introduction of this program to our graduating First Class – now that their service selections have been made.  These relationships will be very beneficial in answering questions that our newly graduating 0-1’s will have.

The program is there for our young Officer’s to get help, and for our more experienced Officer’s to give back – by enrolling as Mentors to help get valuable information and shared experiences to our Alumni across the country.

This attachment is an example of what Hampton Roads provided to their membership.

I hope you take advantage of the opportunity to help a young midshipman or junior officer develop their career with the guidance and wisdom from the best Class of ’75.

Regards,

Chris “Chick” Cikanovich

AlumniMentoringProgram.pdf

From Class President Chris Cikanovich:

Dear Class of ’75,  I am extremely proud to announce that Carl June has been selected as one of three names of the U.S. Naval Academy alumni who were chosen by the Naval Academy Alumni Association as the 2016 recipients of theDistinguished Graduate Award. The announcement from ths Alumni Association follows:

Captain Carl H. June ’75, USN (Ret.), the Richard W. Vague Professor of Immunotherapy at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine. After graduating from the Academy, Dr. June earned his M.D. at Baylor College of Medicine.  Embarking on a career in medical research, Dr. June held appointments with the Naval Medical Research Institute/Office of Naval Research, Bethesda Naval Hospital and the Uniformed Services University before establishing his lab at the University of Pennsylvania. He has made significant contributions to improving treatments for cancer and is best known for his revolutionary approach to gene therapy for leukemia, one The New York Times called “a turning point in the long struggle to develop effective gene therapies against cancer.”

Each year, we honor distinguished graduates because of their demonstrated and unselfish commitment to a lifetime of service, their personal character and the significant contributions they have made to the Navy and Marine Corps or as leaders in industry or government. The 2016 Distinguished Graduate Award Ceremony will be held on Friday, 1 April. We will provide additional background on our newest Distinguished Graduates inShipmate, WaveTops and our website in the near future.

In addition to Carl, the other individuals chosen for 2016 are: The Honorable John H. Dalton ’64-70th Secretary of the Navy and Vice Admiral Robert F. Dunn ’51 Former DCNO Air.

Please visit the following the Alumi Association website for details: http://www.usna.com/page.aspx?pid=856

As details become available for the award ceremony on 1 April 2016, we will pass them along.  I hope that we can fill Alumni Hall with a strong showing from the Class of ’75 for our classmate: Dr. Carl June.

All the best,

Chris “Chick” Cikanovich