Dean’s Weekly Significant Activities Report Weekly Activity...Dean’s Weekly Significant...
Transcript of Dean’s Weekly Significant Activities Report Weekly Activity...Dean’s Weekly Significant...
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Dean’s Weekly Significant Activities Report
9 October 2013
The Dean’s Weekly Significant Activities Report is an internal report on all activities
conducted within the Departments, Centers & Staff. The Report is provided to the Dean
for situation awareness, throughout the organization for shared situation awareness,
and to select external organizations for outreach and communication. Portions of the
Dean’s Weekly Significant Activities Report are further staffed in a report to the
Superintendent. POC for the report is MS Lesley Beckstrom at 938-5105.
Picture of the Week
AFPAK Hands Advisory Training, Ft.
Polk
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Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering
Completed Events
1. Water Security Interests Discussion. On September 23rd, several members of the West
Point faculty met to discuss a common interest in water security and conflict prediction.
Significant work is already ongoing including assessments of the Nile River Basin by the Center
for Nation Reconstruction and Capacity Development in partnership with ERDC and AIADs in
Africa jointly sponsored by the Departments of Law, History, and Geography and Environmental
Engineering. Planning is currently underway for additional water vulnerability security AIAD
opportunities in Summer 2014 which will employ the expertise of these and other departments to
address this complex issue. Because ERDC, the Department of State, and USAID also share an
interest in water security, we envision small partnerships with these organizations to support this
AIAD. Additionally, there is a clear potential for these smaller projects to grow into a larger,
inter-departmental project to develop a river basin based conflict predictive model that would
function at both the local and regional level. Such a project could synchronize the need to
develop complex, critical thinkers for the 21st century Army, the multidisciplinary intellectual
capital of the West Point faculty, and the technical expertise of ERDC to address a pressing need
in a cost effective manner. Present at the meeting were Dr. Amy Krakowka, LTC Chris
Oxendine, LTC Jeff Starke (Geography and Environmental Engineering), Dr. David Frey
(History), Robert Goldstein (Law), Dr. Bruce Keith (Systems Engineering), MAJ Berndt Spittka
(Civil and Mechanical Engineering), and LTC Steve Hart (ERDC). Follow on discussions
continue with Dr. Joe Manous of the USACE Institute for Water Resources to on areas of
common interest and mutual support. POC is LTC Steven D. Hart, ERDC Engineering Fellow
and Director of Infrastructure Studies for the Center for Innovation and Engineering at
[email protected] or 845-938-3084.
2. Civil Engineering Cadets Lend a Helping Hand. On Saturday, 28 September, 15 Civil
Engineering Cadets and Faculty from the West Point Student Chapter of the American Society of
Civil Engineers participated in a community service project at the Walter Hoving Home in
Garrison, NY. During a leaders’ recon the previous weekend, the maintenance supervisor
highlighted the need for some large, dead trees to be removed prior to the onset of winter
weather, reducing the potential for blocked service drives. Cadets analyzed where the trees
needed to fall, sometimes with only a small “landing zone” that was suitable. The Cadets then
carefully fell each tree and either cut firewood or used an industrial chipper they rented to create
mulch. The group accomplished an incredible amount of work during the day. The ladies of the
Walter Hoving Home invited the Cadets to share lunch with them and chat, expressing their
gratitude for all their effort. POC is MAJ Scott Katalenich at [email protected] or 845-
938-5425.
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Cadet Ryan McCadden cuts some firewood from a fallen tree.
The West Point Student Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers.\
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3. Civil & Mechanical Engineering Faculty Support the Tunnel to Towers Run. The
Department of Civil & Mechanical Engineering was well represented at the Tunnel to Towers
run in NYC on Sunday, 29 September. Deputy Department Head, COL Fred Meyer and
Associate Professor, Dr. Brock E. Barry ran at the head of the column of nearly 2,000 USMA
cadets. This 5K run retraces the footsteps that NYFD Firefighter Stephen Siller took when
attempting to respond to the 11 September 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center. When
Stephen’s vehicle got caught in traffic, he ran through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the World
Trade Center, carrying all of his gear, only to subsequently lose his life in the attempt to help
others. Over 30,000 individuals participated in this year’s event. POC is COL Fred Meyer,
4. Flight labs for ME481: The D/C&ME Flight Section conducted flight labs in the
Department’s Cessna-182 Skylane to demonstrate the relationship between aerodynamic theory
and real-world application. This lab supports the classroom instruction of the senior engineering
In this photo (l to r), the Dean's XO MAJ Lou Nemec, CME Associate Professor
Dr. Brock E. Barry, CME Deputy Department Head COL Fred Meyer and USMA
Dean of the Academic Board BG Tim Trainor at the World Trade Center
Memorial.
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course ME481 Aircraft Performance & Static Stability. In a two-hour flight based out of Stewart
International Airport, cadets collected flight data to compute the Cessna 182’s indicated vs true
airspeed correlation, estimate the aircraft’s drag, build a drag polar, measure aerodynamic
efficiency, and compute aircraft power. The Department’s fixed wing pilots MAJ Ryan Goyings
and MAJ Steve Chetcuti flew 30 cadets in 15 flights that totaled 31.5 flight hours. POC is MAJ
Ryan Goyings: [email protected].
Lab Instructor MAJ Goyings with CDTs Peter Marx and Chris Hufana
Department of History
On 12 September, the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies and the Department of History
welcomed Dr. Chuck Anderton, an Economist from the College of the Holy Cross. Dr. Anderton’s
expertise is conflict economics. His work analyzes varied conflicts such as war, arms races, and
terrorism, and by applying economic methods, shows how each can be understood as purposeful choices.
Conflict economics also assumes conflicts can be understood as wealth acquisition, which, like
production and exchange, is a fundamental economic activity. At West Point, Dr. Anderton spoke to
cadets in XH 415, Genocide and “Ethnic Cleansing” and faculty in numerous departments about studying
genocide as an incentivized process understandable through use of rational choice models.
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Dr. Anderton of College of the Holy Cross enjoying the benefits of visiting West Point during Branch
Week
Professor Sam Watson published an article, “Conquerors Peacekeepers, or Both? The U.S. Army
and West Florida, 1810-1811, a New Perspective,” in the summer issue of the Florida Historical
Quarterly.
Major Dan Horst delivered a paper to the New York Military Affairs Symposium titled “Fear &
Loathing in Tatary: Three Americans Writing on Cultural and Military Exploits in the Russian
Borderlands” on 27 September at the Soldiers’ Sailors’ and Airmen’s Club in New York City.
Major Horst explored how three American adventurers who traveled across Russian-central and east Asia
in the late 19th century helped record Russian perceptions of the United States while simultaneously
informing new Russian perspectives.
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Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering
Guest Lecture – EV450 (Environmental Engineering for Community Development). The
Center for the Study of Civil-Military Operations (CSCMO) welcomed Dr. Elizabeth Ross,
Executive Director and Founder of the Kasiisi Project, to lecture the EV450 Environmental
Engineering for Community Development Course on 17 September. Dr. Ross spoke about
“The Kasiisi Project Conservation Education Program.” Her talk focused on how
community programs addressing education, healthcare and care for the environment that are
supported by the Kasiisi Project are linked to the conservation of Kibale National Park. She
emphasized the theme of accompaniment by focusing on the different agendas, loyalties,
cultures and approaches to resources that she has witnessed throughout her 16 years as
executive director and founder. She highlighted how the biogas digesters that the USMA
Uganda AIAD Cadets help build are being used at the school and the school’s farm. The
work of the Kasiisi Project, in partnership with USMA, offered Cadets a clear understanding
of the relationship that exists between environmental issues and community development.
The POC is CPT Vladimir SotoSanchez at [email protected]
Picture: USMA Crest (upper right) displayed as one of several key supporters of the Kasiisi Project
EV481 (Water Resources Planning and Design) Guest Lecture: On September
30th, COL Paul Owen, Commander of the New York District of the Corps of Engineers, spoke
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with cadets enrolled in EV481 (Water Resources Planning and Design) about his district’s
support to navigation and coastal area management. In particular, he discussed the Corps’
immediate response to Hurricane Sandy, as well as storm recovery projects that are still ongoing.
The POC is LTC Phil Dacunto at [email protected].
JINSA External Affairs Director visits G&EnE: On September 27, Mr. Muki Zohar
and Mr. Jim Colbert spoke with Cadets about the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs
(JINSA)-sponsored summer AIAD to Israel. Jim Colbert is the External Affairs Director for
JINSA while Muki Zohar served as the tour guide in Israel for both AIADs this year. Mr. Zohar,
who is visiting the United States from Israel, updated Cadets on recent developments in the
Middle East, including the crises in Egypt and Syria. Both individuals received a tour of the
Academy and stressed the importance of continuing the annual AIAD. POC is Dr. Adam
Kalkstein at [email protected].
Picture: Mr. Jim Colbert, the External Affairs Director for JINSA, talks with Cadets
about the importance of the Israel AIAD.
G&EnE and Math Team Up for Interdisciplinary Work: On September 26, the
Department of Mathematical Sciences invited six instructors from the Department of Geography
and Environmental Engineering’s Geography Program and EV203: Physical Geography course
to observe the Population Growth lesson in MA205: Calculus II. MAJ Adam Brady (D/G&EnE),
MAJ Patrick Mugg (D/MATH), and LTC Yoshitani (D/MATH) identified population growth as
a topic addressed in both EV203 and MA205 and arranged cross-disciplinary meetings to
determine how to link the common concepts from both classes. MAJ Mugg and LTC Yoshitani
did an excellent job creating example population growth problems, both in-class and homework,
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using data and terminology from the EV203 textbook that the students will see again in EV203
later this year. The integration between these courses highlights the real world application of the
course material and its value in the development of future leaders. POC is MAJ Elizabeth
Weaver at [email protected].
THE DEPARTMENT OF LAW
On 4 October, Department of Law Assistant Professor CPT Amy McCarthy
educated those cadets of the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Regiment who are 21 years
old, on the legal repercussions of alcohol abuse. CPT McCarthy’s brief
included information on alcohol crimes under the UCMJ and examples from
the news of military officers whose careers ended due to alcohol related
incidents. Her brief was part of the battalion’s Alcohol Awareness Training
geared toward preventing future alcohol incidents.
Entries above were from last week.
Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering
CSCMO Australian Civil-Military Centre Lecture. The Center for the Study of
Civil-Military Operations (CSCMO) sponsored a lecture on the Australian Civil-Military Centre
on Friday 27 September by COL Rowan Martin, the Australian Military Advisor to the
Australian Civil-Military Centre. With over twenty-five years of experience in the Australian
Army, COL Martin assumed the role of Military Advisor to the Centre earlier this year following
a stint at the National Defense University as an International Fellow. COL Martin shared the
Centre’s structure and goals before discussing his personal experiences with civil-military
operations, specifically citing “coordination, cooperation, and coexistence” as key issues.
Though COL Martin had little experience with civil-military operations just a few years ago, he
expertly offered analysis of some of the civil-military realm’s greatest challenges: institutional
memory, interpersonal skills, and the difference between how civilian and military organizations
think and operate. The almost twenty cadets in attendance gained a greater understanding of the
importance of civil-military operations in the international environment. The POC is Mr. John
Melkon at [email protected].
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Picture: COL Rowan Martin, the Australian Military Advisor to the Australian Civil-Military Centre,
talks with Cadets.
Environmental Science Guest Lecture. Cadets enrolled in EV300 Environmental Science
(the first course in the environmental engineering 3CES) attended a lecture from Dr. Heidi Kretser of the
Wildlife Conservation Society about her current work with DoD on combating the illegal wildlife trade in
Afghanistan. The talk discussed the importance of biodiversity and conservation of wildlife and natural
resources and highlighted the threats arising from profits generated by the sale of endangered and
threatened species going to fund terrorist activities around the world. Through her work and that of others
in the Wildlife Conservation Society, DoD has been able to reduce significantly the sale of illegal wildlife
items on military bases in Afghanistan and educate Soldiers on the unintended consequences of
purchasing these items. This lecture complimented the course’s first block on ecology and a biodiversity
lab completed in a previous lesson. The Center for the Study of Civil and Military Operations (CSCMO)
graciously funded this opportunity for cadets. The POC is MAJ Robbins at [email protected].
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Picture: EV300 cadets looking at confiscated illegal wildlife trade items (in the foreground) and Dr.
Kretser answering cadet questions (in the background).
CSCMO Lecture in Severe Weather Risk. Dr. Grady Dixon, an associate professor at
Mississippi State University, gave two lectures on severe weather risk on 1 and 2 October. The
first talk was given to Cadets in EV389B (Climatology) and focused on storm chasing in the
Plains. Dr. Dixon discussed the challenges of forecasting, provided remarkable photos, and also
shared fascinating stories with the Cadets. The second talk focused on the science involved in
evaluating tornado risk across the United States. Dr. Dixon noted that the Southeast is especially
prone to strong, fast-moving tornadoes which often result in higher death tolls. In addition to the
severity of the storms themselves, the Southeast is largely forested, obstructing the view of
oncoming tornadoes. The talks were sponsored by the Center for the Study of Civil-Military
Operations (CSCMO). The POC is Dr. Adam Kalkstein at [email protected].
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Picture: Dr. Grady Dixon, an associate professor at Mississippi State University, discusses tornado risk
across the United States.
Network Science Center
For the latest information from the Network Science Center visit our blog
The Central Node: http://blog.netsciwestpoint.org/
AFPAK Hands Advisory Training, Ft. Polk
Kristine Ringler, Minerva Research Associate observed and assessed 353rd
BN, 162nd
Infantry BDE’s
Culminating Training Exercise (CTE) during an AFPAK Hands advisory course at Ft. Polk, September
22nd
– 27th. The advisory training includes all Armed Services and offers both enlisted and officer ranks
the opportunity to learn culture and language specific skills before deploying to Afghanistan. It also gives
tactical skill refreshers, as well as scenario based exercises. The CTE places the advisors in several
scenario situations that they might find themselves in while down-range. This includes Key Leader
Engagements (KLEs) and tactical situations that demonstrate what they have learned throughout the
seven-week training. Scenarios were generated and adjusted to stress their skills. It also gives advisors the
opportunity to test their problem solving techniques while guiding their Afghan and Pakistan counterpart
role-players. COL John Graham was the senior advisor on Team 3 during the CTE and is being trained to
be an AFPAK Hands military deployable advisor and Ms. Ringler has teamed up with several centers and
researchers at West Point to assist the 353rd
BN CDR on creating a framework that will test the next
rotation of advisor’s skills. This will include adjustments to the course curriculum and potential scenario
injects. POC: Kristine Ringler, [email protected].
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Pakistan Military Meeting Scenario Team Hotwash on the LZ.
Visit by DMDC
Mr. Christopher Linoff and Mr. Bradley Morris from Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) spoke to
researchers at West Point in a lunch talk given 25 September. DMDC is the Department of Defense's
human resource information source. DMDC provides secure services and solutions to support DoD's
mission. In their talk, they provided an overview of the DMDC and discussed the large-scale data
management and analysis challenges in running a database with 35 million records, 5 million transactions
per day, 2.8 million common access cards issued per year, and 2,100 duty stations worldwide. The
purpose of this talk was to establish a research relationship between the DMDC and USMA.
Department of Mathematical Sciences
Richard Bronson, Gabriel B. Costa, and John T. Saccoman published the following book.
Linear Algebra Algorithms, Applications, and Techniques
3rd Edition
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Department of History
Colonel Ty Seidule spoke at the Margaret Corbin Forum’s monthly luncheon on 1 October. He
delivered a presentation title “A History of –isms at the USMA: A look back at integration in the
Corps and ideas for the way ahead” and then gave the mixed group of faculty and cadet attendees time to
discuss ways in which “isms,” especially sexism, operate at West Point
Department of Physics and Nuclear Engineering
Completed Events
Meeting: During 27-28 September, MAJ Pete Chapman, MAJ Pete Exline, MAJ Tyler
Jones, Dr. Paula Fekete, and CDT Austine Scales travel to Poughkeepsie, NY to attend the
American Association of Physics Teacher’s Northeastern Regional Meeting at Marist
College. They all presented at the meeting.
Workshop: On 28 September, the West Point Center for STEM Education (CSE) conducted
its annual workshop with the Upward Bound program in Chicago, Illinois. In partnership with
The University of Chicago Upward Bound Program, Cadets and faculty members hosted a
STEM workshop for urban high school students. Faculty included Dr. Tom Lainis from the
Department of Physics and Nuclear Engineering, LTC Kevin Knutti a reservist with the
Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering and the Outreach Director for STEM
Education Catherine Bale. Cadets, Simon Fraser, Jason Ko, Michael Deschene and Freddy Hill
served as near peer mentors and helped conduct the workshop activities. The students spent the
day learning about physics, bridge design, robotics and photography. In the afternoon, cadet
mentors spoke with the students about life at West Point, their dedication to service, and the
importance of STEM education.
Five students from the Chicago Upward Bound program are opening files with West Point
Admissions this year.
Director of Outreach for CSE, Cathy Bale ([email protected])
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Department of English and Philosophy
Past Events
1. Vassar Trip Section
On 26-27 September, LTC Peter Molin escorted 25 West Point cadets to Vassar College to take part in
events commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement March on Washington and to
explore issues associated with the military, race, and social change. The trip section was the latest
activity of the Mellon Foundation “Bridging the Civil-Military Divide” West Point-Vassar College
Initiative and was the most ambitious event to date. Participating in the event were cadets representing
the Art, Philosophy, and Literature major; the History major; PL377, a BS&L course on Social Inequality,
Race, Class, and Gender; the African-American Arts Forum; the National Society of Black Engineers;
and the Cultural Affairs Seminar.
COL Ty Seidule and MAJ Andy Forney of the Department of History had speaking parts in trip section
activities, while Dr. Morten Ender and MAJ Eric McCoy of BS&L, and Dr. Jason Hoppe and MAJ Karin
Gresham of DEP also traveled to Vassar to attend some or all of the events.
Formal events included attendance on 26 September at a lecture, panel discussion, and exhibition opening
of This is The Day: Leonard Freed's Photographs of the 1963 March on Washington. The lecture was
given by Professor Paul Farber of Haverford College in Pennsylvania, while the panel discussion featured
Leonard Freed's widow and two veterans of the March on Washington. The event also featured a spoken
word poetry performance by Ms. Bettina Gold Wilkerson. On 27 September cadets attended a seminar on
military and race featuring presentations by COL Seidule of D/History on the Black Power movement at
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West Point in the 1970s, Professor Maria Hoehn of Vassar College on race relations in the US Army in
Germany in the 1970s, and MAJ Forney of D/History on his summer 2013 Civil Rights Staff Ride AIAD.
Professor Farber was also present and acted as respondent at the conclusion of the seminar. Cadets also
attended classes with Vassar students, ate in the Vassar dining facility, and stayed in dorm rooms with
student-sponsors to gain appreciation for the richness and diversity of Vassar campus life.
CDTs Jake Pendleton and Sarah Locke with Professor Paul Farber, Professor Maria Hoehn, Ms. Bettina Gold
Wilkerson, and veterans of the 1963 Civil Rights Movement March on Washington.
.
Professor Maria Hoehn, COL Ty Seidule, LTC Peter Molin, and Professor Paul Farber
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2. EN302: Advanced Composition through Cultural Studies
On 25 September, MAJ Sean Case and Dr. Jessica Stock interviewed Dr. Robyn Creswell, Assistant
Professor of Comparative Literature at Brown University. In addition to serving as the poetry editor for
The Paris Review, Dr. Creswell edited and translated Sonallah Ibrahim’s That Smell and Notes from
Prison, the latest addition to EN302’s consideration of Egypt. Topics ranged from Creswell’s beginnings
with Arabic, to the impact of Ibrahim’s novel as a modernist work, to the issues involved in translating
Arabic to English. The interview, conducted over the phone, took place in the Combating Terrorism
Center’s Beukema Conference Room; cadets will engage with the interview as a podcast on the EN302
SharePoint site.
West Point cadets and Vassar College students gather
at the beginning of the exchange.
That Smell and Notes from Prison by Sonallah
Ibrahim; translated and edited by Robyn
Creswell
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3. West Point’s Defense and Strategic Studies “War Council” Series
MAJ Ian Fishback's remarks on the morality of chemical weapons at the DSS panel on Syria were
published in the on-line version of _Small Wars Journal_. The remarks can be found at the following
link:
http://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/west-point%E2%80%99s-defense-and-strategic-studies-
%E2%80%9Cwar-council%E2%80%9D-series
4. Hwarangdae International Symposium Held at the Korean Military Academy in Seoul
From 29 September to 1 October, LTC Brian Imiola attended the 17th Hwarangdae International
Symposium held at the Korean Military Academy in Seoul. The title of this year’s conference was
Leadership for Military Leaders: Theories, Applications, and New Perspectives. At the conference, LTC
Imiola presented a paper titled “Soldier, Statesmen, and Moral Agent: Emerging Just War Theory and
Educating Military Professionals”. Notable participants at the conference included the Superintendent of
the Korean Military Academy, the Vice-President of the Japanese National Defense Academy, the
Commander of King Abdulaziz Military Academy in Saudi Arabia, the Commander of the United Arab
Emirates Military College, the Commandant of Canada’s Royal Military College, the Deans of the
Turkish and Colombian Military Academies, and the Deputy Dean of Academics for the Spanish Military
Academy. During the symposium, participants also attended the Republic of Korea’s 65th Anniversary
Armed Forces Day Ceremony and visited the Republic of Korea War Museum.
LTC Brian Imiola with Major General Ko (Superintendent of the Korean Military Academy)
during the Hwarangdae International Symposium for Military Leadership (29 Sep-1 Oct,
2013).
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5. Art Appreciation Forum
Members of the Elsie Sannes-Pinnel Art Appreciation Forum, accompanied by MAJ Erin Hadlock,
visited Storm King Arts Center on 28 September. Anne Marie Schoonhoven, SKAC docent and friend of
DEP, introduced cadets to the collection's larger-than-life sculptures through history, materiality, and
perspective. While exploring this world-class facility only ten miles from West Point, cadets were able to
consider the relationship between art and meaning, and how art can be found in unusual places.
Military and Civilian leaders and scholars from Spain, Canada, the United Arab Emirates,
Japan, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Colombia, and the United States kick off the 17th
Hwarangde International Symposium at the Korean Military Academy in Seoul, South
Korea (LTC Brian Imiola is on the far right)
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6. Research Trip to the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas
Patrick Query traveled to Austin, Texas on 25 September to conduct research at the Harry Ransom Center
at the University of Texas. Dr. Query is editing a new edition of Evelyn Waugh's _A Tourist in Africa_
for Oxford UP; he studied the original manuscript of the book as well as related documents
in the HRC's Waugh archive. The trip was made possible by an award from the USMA Faculty
Development and Research Fund.
7. Philosophy Forum
On October 8th, 2013, the Philosophy Forum hosted Dr. Jordan Pascoe from Manhattan College. Dr.
Pascoe presented a view that attempts to reconcile Immanuel Kant’s view of rights with his views on
retributivism. She examined the difficult case of dueling military officers, concluding that Kant argues
for a consistent right to life, but struggles with conflicting duties of life and honor. The event was
attended by cadets and faculty from multiple academic departments. Dr. Pascoe entertained cadet
From L to R: CDTs Colin Hwang, Nick Juliano, Anna Gulbis, Jimmy Yin, Ben Lacey, Wilson Suzuki, and CIC Derrick Hall stand in front of a Louise Nevelson sculpture specifically made for
SKAC.
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questions for the last half of the meeting, but continued to engage cadet interest in her position well after
the formal meeting had adjourned.
Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership Completed Events
Follow BS&L on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/West-Point-NY/Department-of-Behavioral-
Sciences-Leadership/44253274507
Harvard Business School Professor Shares Insights about Israeli Special Forces Case Study
On 30 September, Dr. Boris Groysberg (Chapman Professor of Business Administration in the
Organizational Behavior Unit at the Harvard Business School) visited Dr. Bryant Thompson’s Human
Resource Management (MG382) class. COL Everett Spain made the visit possible. Dr. Groysberg is COL
Spain’s dissertation committee chair at the HBS. Dr. Groysberg is the author of the case study that was
Dr. Jordan Pascoe presents her paper, “Kant, Retributivism, and the (surprising) Ethics of
Dueling,” to the Cadet Philosophy Forum. The event was attended by cadets and faculty from multiple
academic departments.
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discussed during the class: Israeli Special Forces: Selection Strategy. Dr. Groysberg offered meaningful
reflections about the case and shared valuable insights about the selection process. Additionally, 2LT and
German Exchange Officer, Henrik Feldmann (whose father, Brigadier General Heinz Feldmann, served
as Commander of the German Special Forces) was the discussion leader. 2LT Feldmann facilitated an
informative and engaging conversation: comparing and contrasting Special Forces units across countries.
POC: Dr. Bryant Thompson, [email protected]
BM HR Executive Speaks to Human Resource Management Cadets
On 26 September, Mr. Randy MacDonald (Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Retired, IBM)
visited Dr. Bryant Thompson's Human Resource Management (MG382) class. COL Irving Smith was
instrumental in arranging the visit. Mr. MacDonald discussed the new role of Human Resources (HR) in
the evolving workplace. Mr. MacDonald’s discussion focused on the positive change from HR as an
administrative function to HR as an effective means to nurture employees. Mr. MacDonald, a Newburgh,
NY native, shared insights on leveraging technology to identify prospective employees and develop
current employees with high potential. He noted that using technology in this way gives leaders more
time to lead, instead of manage. He also introduced the idea of “treasuring wild ducks” which refers to
tolerating, and even encouraging, a degree of outside-the-box thinking and individual initiative in order to
tap latent motivation within individuals. POC: Dr. Bryant Thompson, [email protected]
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Life Cycle Human Development Children Observations
On October 7th, two sections of Life Cycle Human Development (PL373) conducted observations and
assessments of four preschool aged children, Pepper Lovelace - 2, Adelaide Erwin – 2, Eli Erwin -3 and
Liam Worthan - 4 (children of MAJ Jeff Lovelace, MAJ Mike Erwin and MAJ Shannon Worthan,
respectively). Through this interactive lesson the cadets applied several course concepts. Cadets designed
and orchestrated activities to evaluate the children across several developmental domains: cognition,
information processing and memory ability, physical and motor development, language ability, social
understanding and emotional development. The groups conducted an analysis of each child’s
development and presented their findings in class on October 9th. POC: MAJ Stephen Flanagan,
Left Photo. Cadets Zach Huerter, Erick Heaney, Katie Vanwye & Jasmine Hansen assess Liam’s
understanding of the principle of conservation (cognitive development)
Right Photo. Cadets observe Pepper’s grasping & coordination (fine motor skills - physical development)
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BS&L Students Participate in the Mellon Foundation West Point-Vassar Initiative
Four ARMY Sociology Firsties--CDTS Ashley Justice, Jozlyn McCaw, Karlos Febus-Traphagen, and
Hillary Rollins pose with Dr. Paul Farber (Haverford College) and Dr. Maria Hohn (Vassar College) at
Vassar College last week, The cadets were 4 of 30 taking part in a two-day “Mellon Foundation West
Point-Vassar Initiative” designed to bridge the civil-military divide. Dr. Morten Ender was one of five
OICs on the trip. POC: Dr. Morten Ender, [email protected]
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Observational Learning brought to life through 4th
Class Cadet talent in PL100
On 19 and 20 September, Cadets from General Psychology for Leaders (PL100) brought their unique
skills and talents to class to illustrate the key concepts of Albert Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory. In
particular, the cadets learned how to develop effective demonstrations that take full advantage of self-
efficacy; Attention, Retention, Reproduction and Motivation; and they learn the importance of selecting a
model and model influence. Cadet-guided skills taught in class included how to do the Waltz, a unique
handshake, make a musical instrument using one’s hands, and how to do “The Worm” break dance, to
name a few. The cadets brought to life a concept that will enhance their ability to provide and evaluate
training in their future role as Army officers. POC: LTC Matt Clark, [email protected] , or
CPT Jacquie Jordan, [email protected]
Pictured below – Fourth class cadets share unique skills and talents as they teach the psychological
concepts of Observational Learning. Cadets from six sections of PL100 are presented below during
lessons facilitated by LTC Matt Clark and CPT Jacquie Jordan. Classes were held in Cullum Hall and the
Eisenhower Leader Development Program classroom.
Combating Terrorism Center
1. The Combating Terrorism Center was proud to host Mr. Juan Zarate (former Deputy Assistant to the
President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Counterterrorism) who delivered the annual Yearling
Class Lecture to over 1,000 cadets in Robinson auditorium on September 26th. This annual event is an
opportunity for cadets to learn more about terrorism/counterterrorism from a leading figure within the
field and serves as an introduction to the CTC’s Terrorism Minor Program to all second year students. In
his speech, Mr. Zarate focused on the importance of understanding the current enemy and the threat
Reported by Dean’s Institute of Innovation and Development www.westpoint.edu/innovation
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environment, citing evidence from his new book, “Treasury’s War: Understanding of the New Era in
Financial Warfare.”
2. Last month the leader of al-Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri, and his media wing referenced the
Combating Terrorism Center’s research again during a propaganda video commemorating the anniversary
of the 9/11 attacks. In the video, the terrorist group displayed four separate screen shots of two different
CTC reports on al-Qaeda. The group has been critical of the CTC’s research on numerous occasions. Last
year al-Qaeda lambasted the CTC’s “hundreds of researchers” for “aiding the infidel army” during a
similar propaganda video. The Center may not have hundreds of researchers, but it will continue to
produce rigorous and relevant research that helps cadets, practitioners, and policymakers combat
terrorism.