January 2008 President's Corner

Mitch Rowland '71, USNAAA Atlanta Chapter President

I know that it will be after Christmas and New Years before anyone reads this, but Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year anyway.

December has been a busy month in Atlanta for the Alumni Association. We got the month off to a great start on December 1^st with a big victory over Army. We gathered with the Parents Club and the Army Alumni Association. This year we had our party at the Fox Sports Grill in Atlantic Station. We had over 200 attendees this year. The Army guys started getting a little rambunctious at first. They had an early first and goal. But after they got no points, they were pretty quite after that. In fact, a number of them left at halftime. That just left more for the Navy fans to consume.

Then on December 9^th we had our annual Christmas Party. Those in attendance were: Steve & Karen Frederick, Paul & Jody Borer, Jack & Patricia Clay, Win & Joan Rorabaugh, Bob & Linda Schultz, Joe & Marilyn Frazar, Nick & Jean Ward, Rick & Carolyn Wilson, Paul & Nancy Horst, Dick Holloway, Stewart & Ann Caldwell and Marilyn McCallum. Carl was in Annapolis for the Board of Trustees meeting. This year we had the party on the south side of Atlanta, trying to get some of those pilots from Peachtree City to join with us. I am happy to report that Nick and Jean Ward came from Cumming, over 70 miles north and Rick and Carolyn Wilson came from Millidgeville, over 70 miles to the south. If they can make the long drive, I will not accept excuses about having to drive too far. I was disappointed that the class range was from 1956 to 1976. There are a lot of 1980's and 1990's alumni who we need to participate.

We had a small gathering for the Poinsettia Bowl. Someone needs to check the credentials of the officials. Can you imagine a replay official that didn’t know the rules about fumbling out of bounds in the end zone! I wonder whose brother in law was the replay official?

Our December luncheon had a large turnout to hear Ron Terwilliger ‘63 speak. Ron is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Trammell Crow Residential. Ron touched on a number of subjects. He discussed the new WNBA franchise that he purchased for Atlanta. As CEO of a real estate corporation, he was certainly qualified to discuss the current mortgage crisis and the housing slowdown. Ron has been a leading advocate for affordable housing. With people increasingly shut out of decent housing close to their jobs, he discussed the need to have mixed income housing and the problems with zoning for that type of housing. He has committed to building 2000 mixed income houses each year. He has just taken over as Chairman for Habitat for Humanity. Those in attendance were: Jim Ellis ‘69, Tony Womble ‘63 with his wife Virginia, Ed Hux ‘61, Paul Borer ‘70 and guest Cav Hauser, Dave Maples ‘63, Felix de Golian ‘63, Alex Cobble ‘76 and guest Jim Hanks, Steve Frederick ‘72, Dick Tash ‘62 with his wife Mimi Tash, Tom Galloway ‘71, Walt Sheffield ‘57, Lee Whitfield ‘71 with guest Cole Van Houten, Lidden Pate ‘82, Sam Newton ‘68, Richard Wilson ‘64 and his wife Martha, Don Thompson ‘59, Jim Slemenda ‘66, Jim Hatch ‘47, Bill Rentz ‘55, Ples Bruce ‘77, Clint Johnson ‘60, Arnold Gault ‘92, Mario Maddox ‘85, Ron Hertwig ‘77 Bill Donges ‘71, Lorie Moore ‘64 and Tony Zanone ‘98.

We have a big reception planned in January for the USNA Gospel Choir. They are in town for the Martin Luther King Weekend. Please try to attend one of the many concerts that they will be holding over the long weekend. They are truly inspiring.

BEAT ARMY!

Mitch Rowland ’71
Chapter President