Class Website
Share your class photos or messages using hashtag #USAFA 1978 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!
Class of 1978 - Key Data
- Appointed:1630 on Monday, July 1, 1974
- Graduated:981 on Wednesday, May 31, 1978
- Commissions:
- USAF-963
- US Navy-8
- US Marine Corps-1
- Foreign-4
- Not commissioned-5
- Graduation Speaker:
- John C. Stetson, Secretary of the Air Force
- Presented Commissions:
- John C. Stetson, Secretary of the Air Force
- Presented Diplomas:
- John C. Stetson, Secretary of the Air Force
- Cadet Wing Commanders:
- Ed Rice (Fall), Steve Goldfein (Spring)
- Scholarships:
- 1 Fulbright; 12 Guggenheim Fellowships; 1 Campbell Memorial Fellowship; 1 National Collegiate Athletic Association Fellowship; 1 Franklin C. Wolfe Fellowship; 1 Fannie and John Hertz Fellowship
- All-Americans (sports):
- Dave Frymire, (Two Year Pistol); Mike McDonald, (Lacrosse); Greg Schulze, (Soccer); Academic All-Americans: Mack McCollum, (Football); Tom Schneeberg; (Basketball)
- Class Officers:
- President: Steve Dalbey; Vice-President: David R. Dallago; Secretary: Raymond H. Kaplinger; Treasurer: Richard A. Dunham III; Scribe: Bob Kay
Motto: The "Great 78"
The F-16 represents the new frontiers of technology which will protect the nation's freedom, as depicted in the jet's contrails.The large numerals, 78 in the upper right-hand corner stand for the year of graduation.The Polaris Star, user throughout history for guidance, represents, on this crest, the leadership and guidance qualities essential to the officer.The American Bald Eagle is a symbol used to represent the American characteristics of strength, courage and wisdom. In his right talon he holds a sabre, representative of the Cadet Wing and the leadership which is developed at the Academy.Being the twentieth class to graduate, the Class of 78 has placed the roman numeral twenty on the crest.The Cadet Chapel represents a guidance to the class. High morals and strong sense of ethical leadership are also symbolized to un is the chapel.The mountains in the background represent the challenges facing the Class of 78.The "Great 78" is our class slogan, enclosed by a lightning bolt, a traditional symbol of the Academy.The quote "American Fighting Man", which is taken from the Military Code of Conduct, is to remind us, the professional officers, of those standards that we have devoted ourselves to.
Michael Davis receives Jabara Award for Airmanship (1984).
James Trinka receives Jabara Award for Airmanship (1987).
Curtis Brown, Astronaut (1988).
James Halsell, Astronaut (1991).
Richard Searfoss, Astronaut (1991).
Rick Crowder hoonored as the Disabled American of the Year by the President's Committee on the Employment of People with Disabilities (1991).
Kevin Kregel, Astronaut (1993).
David Scott receives Jabara Award for Airmanship (1997).
Paul Madera named USAFA Distinguished Graduate (2015).
Matthew van Steenwyk named to Board of Directors of AFS-USA (2016).
Jay Lindell named Colorado Aerospace Champion (2014).
Edward Rice showcased in Air Force Public Affairs Agency's "Veterans in Blue" (2017).
Paul Capasso selected for induction into the Air Force Command, Control, Communications and Computers Association Cyberspace Operations and Support Hall of Fame (2018).
Herbert (Hawk) Carlisle, President and CEO of the National Defense Industrial Association, is elected to the Board of Directors of Allegheny Technologies, Inc. (2018).
Richard Coleman named President and Chief Executive Officer of Command Center Inc. (2018).
Larry Romo named Commander of the American GI Forum (2018).
John Parrott named Director of the King County International Airport-Boeing Field, Seattle, Washington (2019).