Celebrating Founder's Day

U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis leaders celebrate Founders Day, Navy’s birthday and 179 years as neighbors The Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation (AA&F) hosted local government officials from the City of Annapolis and U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) leadership in a celebration of Naval Academy Founder’s Day at the Fluegel Alumni Center October 9th.

The Naval Academy was founded on Fort Severn in Annapolis October 10, 1845, and was established as the Naval School. The school opened with 50 midshipman students and seven professors. Today, the Naval Academy boasts a 4400-strong Brigade and 600 faculty, and was recently named the #1 public school in America by Princeton Review.

For 179 years, this neighborly collaboration has blossomed as thousands of Naval Academy alumni were welcomed as children of the city and demonstrated their gratitude through countless community service acts.

Naval Academy Superintendent Vice Admiral Yvette Davids ’89, USN, said the Academy and the City of Annapolis are united in a partnership producing “leaders of character.”

“USNA and Annapolis are completely one,” Davids said.

The event also featured remarks from U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation President and CEO Jeff Webb ‘95, Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County President and CEO Kristen Pironis, Annapolis Alderman Brooks Schandelmeier, and Downtown Annapolis Partnership Executive Director Erik Evans. The interdependence and support between the Academy, the city and the Alumni Association & Foundation was evident.

The Fluegel Alumni Center, which officially opened in September 2023, is in Annapolis’ Historic District. It is the homebase for nearly 69,000 living alumni.

Webb noted how intertwined the Academy, AA&F and the City of Annapolis are. As a city resident, he has a perfect perspective on how important those links are to supporting the Brigade of Midshipmen, the Academy and alumni who are forever linked-and always welcomed back-to Annapolis.

“I appreciate the bond between the Naval Academy and the City of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County,” Webb said. “It is a special thing for all of us.”

Pironis, who previously served as executive vice president of marketing and communications for USNA AA&F, said the Naval Academy is an important piece of what makes Annapolis special.

“As we celebrate 179 years, the Navy, the Naval Academy, and the Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation have great futures,” she said. 

Alderman Schandelmeier noted his grandfather was a member of the Class of 1958 and he sees the unbreakable bond between the city and the Academy.

“The Academy’s success is the city’s success and vice versa,” he said. “The Naval Academy is part of the city’s DNA.”