Citation 

Colonel Thomas Robert Folk, USAR (Ret) Class of 1972

The 2000 West Point Society of the District of Columbia Distinguished Member Award is presented to Colonel Thomas Robert Folk for his exemplary service to West Point, the West Point Society of the District of Columbia, his class, and to his community. Colonel Folk has exemplified the motto "Duty, Honor, Country" through distinguished and selfless service during his active and reserve duty and in his civilian career while serving as the Society's Admissions Committee Chairman.

Colonel Folk's major activities have involved the Admissions program in conjunction with West Point. Under his leadership as the West Point Admissions Coordinator for the National Capital Region, unprecedented goals have been achieved in reaching and surpassing the objectives of the USMA Admissions program in DC, Maryland and Virginia. Colonel Folk was instrumental in organizing the Virginia Congressional Academy Day, which assembled potential high-quality candidates for the Class of 2004 and beyond. He also instituted such significant events as candidate luncheons, minority candidate outreach meetings, Founders Day reception for candidates, West Point Forum, Academy Night at local high schools, USMA Invitational Academy Workshop for high school students, and coordination of visits to area high schools of cadets from the Cadet Public Relations Council.

Colonel Folk assured that the West Point Admissions word was spread effectively throughout the National Capital Region. In a number of ways, including the events mentioned, prospective candidates were alerted to the West Point experience. He directed the Admissions teams, which he organized, to visit hundreds of schools, attend college night programs at many schools, and spread the word with the help of graduates. Colonel Folk's initiatives included presentations by former Superintendent, LTG Willard W. Scott, Jr. `48 at various functions, where Colonel Folk assembled other notable graduates to help explain to prospective candidates the essence of West Point.

Colonel Folk has established and conducted the Admissions activities of the West Point Society of D.C. with unprecedented success. His extraordinary efforts have elicited praise and commendation of the highest measure from USMA. In September 1999 the Superintendent, LTG Daniel W. Christman `65, presented Colonel Folk the Legion of Merit at his retirement for his leadership role as Chairman of the Society's Admissions Committee, which so successfully supported USMA recruitment objectives over the years.

For all of 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 the District of Columbia award Colonel Thomas Robert Folk, USAR (Ret), USMA Class of 1972, the Distinguished Member Award.