Classmates,
Nominations for the 2026 USNA Distinguished Graduate Award (DGA) cycle opened on 1 July 2025 and closes on 15 October 2025. This award honors living U.S. Naval Academy graduates who have made a distinctive contribution to their field or community and have demonstrated sustained, active support for the Naval Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation (USNA AA&F), or affiliate groups. Each year up to four graduates are chosen from a field of candidates nominated by their alumni peers. You will find attached to this email the DGA Program Guidelines which describe the eligibility criteria and nomination procedures for the award.
If you are interested in nominating one of our classmates, please let our DGA Committee Lead, Matt Elias (melias@bens.org), know, and he will arrange to have you join the DGA committee. Our DGA Committee will work with you providing guidance and support where needed as you pull together the components of the DGA package. The 2026 DGA Package Guidelines are also attached for your review.
Fair winds…
Glen
Glen Woods
President, USNA Class of 1978