Academy adds 4 to Class of 2011

  • Published
  • By Don Branum
  • Air Force Academy Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  Four cadets joined the Air Force Academy's Class of 2011 Dec. 14 during a graduation ceremony in Arnold Hall.

Joining the Long Blue Line were 2nd Lts. Kenneth Lamendola, Braylon Gurnell, Patrick Hennessey and Alexander Hess.

Athletics Director Dr. Hans Mueh delivered the commencement address, filling in for Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Mike Gould, who could not attend the ceremony.

Mueh offered the graduates four pieces of advice: First, he said, never look back; always look forward. Second, do what you love.

"You'll have jobs you don't want to do forever, but do them to the best of your ability," he said.

Third, Mueh advised the graduates to take some risks. Finally, he told them to never compromise their integrity.

"It's harder to pull off in the big, bad world out there, but always take the high road," he said.

Mueh, along with Dean of the Faculty Brig. Gen. Dana Born and Commandant of Cadets Brig. Gen. Rich Clark, presented diplomas to the graduates. Clark administered the oath of office and awarded the graduates their commissions.

Retired Brig. Gen. Ruben Cubero, a former dean of the faculty representing the Class of 1961, also spoke at the commencement.

"I would have worn my uniform, but there's a phenomenon called 'closet shrinkage,'" Cubero joked.

He went on to present the graduates with their first set of second lieutenant bars, engraved with "61-11" to represent the bond between the graduating classes.

"This gift is symbolic of your progress through the ranks, but more importantly, it's symbolic of the solidarity of all the classes to the Oath of Office," he said. "We wish you the very best and godspeed."

The graduation brings the Class of 2011's total number to 1,035 and the Academy's total number of graduates to 43,915.