WEST POINT SOCIETY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

 Citation

West Point Society of the District of Columbia
2007 Distinguished Member Award
is presented to

Colonel Ivan Robert Farris, US Army (Ret)
USMA Class of 1963

 A 2007 West Point Society of the District of Columbia Distinguished Member Award is presented to Colonel Ivan Robert Farris for his exemplary service to West Point, the West Point Society of D.C., and to his class.  Colonel Farris has personified the motto “Duty, Honor, Country” through distinguished and dedicated service during the period 2000 to 2006 while conducting with extraordinary success the work of the Special Activities Committee on behalf of the Society.

 Colonel Farris’ major activities have involved special events that benefit Society members as well as the good name of the United States Military Academy.  Over the years as Chairman of the Special Activities Committee, he has supervised, with remarkable results, the Society’s sponsorship of the Black Gold Gray Golf Tournament and the Army vs Navy Golf Tournament.  The latter tournament has USMA and USNA graduates competing on the golf course.  This project has enabled the West Point Society of D.C. to share profits with the Naval Academy Alumni Association of Washington–a matter that has proved to be especially rewarding to both alumni associations.

 Under Colonel Farris’ leadership, the Special Activities Committee gathered together individuals who solicited sponsorship from companies and individuals to provide funds for the overall profit goals.  In addition, he encouraged committee members to contact sources for donations of such items as golf balls, umbrellas, and other appropriate items to be given out as prizes to participants.  Each year, the West Point Society of D.C. has netted several thousand dollars from each tournament, which assisted in the Society’s annual contribution of $1,000 each to five cadet clubs/teams at West Point.  Through his efforts, these golf tournaments have been fully established as annual Society events of significant benefit to the membership and to West Point.  He has left the Society a legacy of special activities success that will continue to serve the Society for many years.

 For all these activities for the benefit of West Point and the West Point Society of the District of Columbia, while displaying outstanding qualities of character, distinguished service, and stature which clearly epitomize the ideals of West Point, it is fitting that the West Point Society of D.C. award Colonel Ivan Robert Farris, USMA Class of 1963, the 2007 Distinguished Member Award.