Since its establishment on May 18, 2011, the Twin Cities Area Chapter of the Association of Graduates has grown into a vibrant and generous community. The chapter began with 24 graduates coming together to draft bylaws and elect officers. It has since grown, reaching more than 600 graduates in and around Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. In 2021, the chapter was motivated to give back and began making an annual Sabre Society-level gift to support the U.S. Air Force Academy.

“We were looking for good military recipients to support, and I had just contributed to the Sabre Society, so I brought it up at a board meeting,” says Col. (Ret.) Tom Wilson ’61. “It was approved, so I contacted the AOG to see if we were allowed to donate as a chapter to be Sabre Society members.  After consideration, we were permitted to do so, and we did!”

The Sabre Society includes graduates, parents and friends who make leadership gifts of $1,000 or more annually to the Air Force Academy Fund. The Twin Cities Area Chapter became the first chapter to join the Sabre Society.

Chapters are local alumni groups across the United States and even overseas. The groups allow graduates to remain connected to one another and to the U.S. Air Force Academy, providing benefits such as career and networking services, social events, guest speakers, and volunteer opportunities.

AOG chapters provide graduates with a means to unite to make an impact, both in their respective communities and at the Academy. Shared heritage, experiences and aspirations connect each class to the Long Blue Line, inspiring graduates from all generations to stay updated and involved for the rest of their lives.

“Without my education at USAFA, I have no idea how my life would have turned out and who I would have shared it with,” says Col. Wilson. “I realize that graduating from the Academy had no guarantees. It did, however, give my fellow graduates and me a head start on a terrific career.”

Within its first year, the Twin Cities chapter had earned a Distinguished Chapter Award. To be eligible for the award, a chapter must accumulate at least 2,000 points using the Association of Graduates’ pointing system and accomplish five essential activities:

• Have a Founders’ Day celebration.
• Have at least one service-related project or event.
• Send a representative to the Chapter Presidents Conference and submit a report to the chapter leader and/or members following the conference.
• Accumulate at least 150 points for engagement and outreach efforts.
• Submit a list of proposed activities and events for the upcoming year.

The Twin Cities chapter has achieved this distinction every year since its establishment.

With around 600 graduates in the greater Twin Cities area, the chapter is only gaining momentum. Memorable events include Friday happy hours, Scotch and bourbon tastings, Veterans Day dinners, guest speaker lunches, St. Croix River Cruises, and other opportunities for community building and networking. The chapter’s largest event to date was a hockey tournament at the University of Minnesota. Over 250 graduates and their families attended the tournament to watch the USAFA hockey team play.

The chapter also hosts an annual Founders’ Day dinner, which has featured notable guests, including Chiefs of Staff of the U.S. Air Force Gen. (Ret.)  Norton Schwartz ’73 and Gen. (Ret.) Mark Welsh ’76. In 2019, the chapter began co-hosting this event with the Minnesota Parents’ Club and now attracts around 175 attendees each year.

Col. Wilson recommends graduates participate in their local AOG chapter because of the opportunities they provide to connect or reconnect with fellow alumni. “Any chapter activity is an opportunity to either meet other grads or, better yet, to meet with your own classmates that you haven’t seen for some time,” he says. “We are military brothers and sisters, after all.”

The Twin Cities chapter hopes its donation and ongoing participation will support future projects and initiatives at the Academy.

The Air Force Academy Foundation recently introduced new membership levels to give donors more opportunities to connect with the Academy community and fellow Sabre Society donors.

Other AOG chapters considering philanthropic support can learn more about the Sabre Society at afacademyfoundation.org/sabresociety. 

“I think it's a wonderful way to repay the Academy to contribute not only individually but to show support from every chapter,” says Col. Wilson.