INDIANA CHAPTER

DINFOS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

P.O. BOX 26925

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA 46226-9001

Dear DINFOS alumni/associates: 

Greetings!  Another year has sped by, and it’s time to bring you up-to-date on what happened with your Alumni Association during 2008. 

In the spring of 2008, DINFOS at Ft. Meade began distributing one-year, free membership cards to all new DINFOS graduates along with an excellently designed, informative brochure prepared by LTC Tom Conrad, (USA-Ret), giving a history of the school and other information about the Alumni Association.  The response to this membership offering has been very good with over 250 new graduates signing up.  Click to see or print

On November 15, 2008, the Alumni Association held a dinner celebration to induct two nominees into the Hall of Fame and to award another nominee a Distinguished Service Award.  Fifty alumni attended to include the current Commandant at DINFOS, Ft. Meade, the Assistant Commandant, Command Sergeant Major and Registrar.  Their excellent briefings indicated all is going well with DINFOS students, staff and faculty. 

The Commandant then presented Hall of Fame Plaques to Col Roy Whitton, (USAF-Ret), and Navy Capt S. Steven Karalekas, (USNR-Ret). He also presented the Distinguished Service Award Plaque to Charles Murphy, Jr., for his father, LTC Charles Murphy, Sr., (USA-Ret), who was unable to attend the meeting. 

The Hall of Fame awards celebration was very successful and was sparkled with alumni liveliness throughout the evening with excited conversations, hand shaking, embraces and reminiscences with those who had not seen each other for several years.  Needless to say it was a rewarding reunion, topped with both Hall of Fame recipients giving presentations on the effect DINFOS had on their careers. 

The evening ended with presentation of awards recognizing outstanding contributions made by members of the DINFOS Executive Council, Tom Conrad, Bob Foster and Helen Stritt, for their supportive work and dedication to the Alumni Association.  Another award was issued to Col Keith Oliver, (USMC-Ret), for his support of the Alumni Association to include ensuring each graduating student receives a membership application and brochure. 

During this past year, the Alumni Association reinstated its annual book buying efforts for the DINFOS Paul Savanuck Library (named in honor of one of our alumni who lost his life in Vietnam).  We bought approximately $1,000 worth of books that the library declared important to have for students and faculty.  Thus, you can see your membership fees, in part, are most useful in contributing to the training and knowledge of current students and faculty at the school. (Click for list of books YOU purchased)

During 2008, we also had several Executive Council meetings.  At one, we discussed the possibility of establishing a chapter at Ft. Meade and the surrounding area to facilitate growth of the Association.  This effort will continue.   We also discussed the need for volunteers to assist with the operation of the Alumni Association to include a Treasurer. 

It is with much sadness that I must report the loss of three of our alumni during the last year.  They are LTC James Smith, (USA-Ret), CMSGT Bob Strickland, (USA-Ret), (a DINFOS Hall of Fame honoree) and Sgt Ron Hatcher, (USA-Ret). 

On behalf of the Alumni Association, I wish to express thanks to all members.  Without your contributions we could not continue our tradition of supporting DINFOS students and faculty.