A Tale of Two Classes

Jim Minderlein ’65 and Jeff Beard ’72 have a sea tale or two to share about the secrets to successful class giving. These fundraising chairs have brought significant class recognition through extraordinary results.

With 24 years in the Navy as a pilot and two tours at the Academy, “Spit Shine Minderlein,” a moniker given by a fellow pilot because as XO he asked the crew to polish their flight boots, radiates pride for the time spent serving the Academy, and the support his class has given since 1965.

“I am the son of a uniformed Baltimore police officer and coming to the Academy was the best thing that ever happened to me.”

From serving ADM Larson as his executive assistant to living on the parade field during his second tour, and serving as a visitor center guide for the past 19 years, Minderlein said, “I’ve spent a third of my life here on the Academy!”

“At our 40th reunion, I said I would serve as the class president and major fundraiser. And for 17 years, I’ve enjoyed seeing our class rise to the occasion time after time. We presented our 50th reunion legacy gift to the Academy and we’re still getting contributions.” His class has raised over $4 million to support many projects including an Ethics Chair, Athletics Excellence Fund, and the Naval Academy Fund. “I’m really proud of a fourth project—the bronze goat at the stadium.”

Called the “keepers of the goat,” his class refurbished the goat trailer as well as the bronze goat located at Gate 1, given by the class of 1915. “Our class is 50 years after, kind of like the link in the chain going the other way, and we take care of that goat.”

Minderlein’s class provided donations of personal brass memorabilia from their careers, some of which were melted down and included in the bronze core for the goat pictured above—what couldn’t be melted was buried in the granite base under the goat. “This 5-year project was installed 50 years to the day from the day we graduated. We collected midshipmen insignia from the Another Link In The Chain Class of 2015 to be included as well.”

Minderlein says he's a big goat fan. “We created a solid bronze goat desk model, replicating the large display at Terwilliger.” Each has a serial number behind the right rear hoof—Roger Staubach has serial number 12.

“I’ve tried to encourage my classmates to give back to the institution that did so much for us. We had a great education and became great leaders. I felt strongly we should feel responsibility to give back, and I’m fortunate to have the support from my class; I think they trust me.”

When asked which project was the highlight, he said all of them, but one does stand out as particularly meaningful for him: a section of seats in section D at the stadium for his 23 classmates who were killed in action and in the line of duty. Each seat has our class crest with the date and circumstances of his death.

Since graduation, the class has raised nearly $22 million for various needs across the Yard. “For lifetime giving, our class is #4 in the 60’s decade and in the top 10 overall.”

In addition, the Class of ’65 has raised over $400K for the Plankowner project (7th highest) with 28 Plankowners for the new Alumni Center. 

“You know, our donor participation rate is at the top of all the classes at 52.45%—last year, we were #1 from the decade in the 60’s.” With a big smile, he adds that “the Class of ’65 also won the 2022 Great Class Challenge again this year ... for the 9th year in a row!”

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Meanwhile, Jeff Beard ’72 has facilitated nearly $7 million in giving for various projects across the Yard and stadium for the Class of ’72.

Among many philanthropic achievements, Beard’s class has provided opportunities for midshipmen to engage in project-based learning, the creation of the Sports & Rehabilitation Center in Terwilliger Hall, established the Distinguished Military Professor (DMP) for Character Development, and always prioritizes the Naval Academy Fund. Beard terms this fund the “enabler of all fundraising” because, as an unrestricted tool, the fund has the unique power to support the Academy’s most immediate needs.

After his tour serving (as a SWO) in the Navy and a marriage with two children, Beard entered the corporate scene with stints abroad in Europe (including Switzerland and Wales), earned an MS in Agri-Business, and an MBA. He ended up serving as Director General in his civilian career for the global International Baccalaureate (IB) program. Jeff's (and wife Cecily) daughter is currently living where she was born - in Wales, while their son is an '02 aviator graduate of the Naval Academy and has two children. He is also part of a dual Navy family serving at the Pentagon.

Around 2000, when his son was still in school here, Beard agreed to head up the class's fundraising, learning which projects his class was most interested in funding. Beard mused, “did you know that at (our now) age 72, you must take a required “minimum distribution” from your IRA …and it comes out as “income" whether you like it or not? The only way to avoid that reality is to donate it.”

Like Minderlein, Beard said he believes in the USNA mission. “I tell the class we got a free education—we’ve been doing pretty well—so let’s pay it forward; and no, the Naval Academy can’t do everything they want … if we don’t make it happen, it won’t get done.”

Beard described the project that really “caught fire” was supporting the DMP for Character Development. “We’ve been supporting the role for 15 years and have contributed enough to support the effort for 10 more years. Our class resonated with the role because we felt character was important, particularly in today's politically divided world. We felt strongly that today’s mids need to be grounded with a strong moral compass and the character to do what’s right.”

“I appreciate the gratitude the class has expressed for the leadership I’ve provided. I keep them well informed, but all I’m doing is helping them put their money behind the projects we most care about. Some have said no, others ‘you’ve persuaded me by helping the class believe in something … that this is right to do.’ I appreciate our class.”

Beard said his class enjoys continued interactions with the mids as well. “We are proud to sponsor the 20th company and they appreciate us; I was surprised. We’re their grandparents but we invite each other to events.”

“As part of the Another Link In The Chain program, our class participated in the 2022 graduation handing out butter bars. President Biden saw my ’72 hat as he came on stage, then acknowledged and recognized our class at the beginning of his remarks. That was exciting.”

One beacon that caught philanthropic headlines was the major transformation the class has made…from $1.7 million in the early 2000’s, to today. “This last campaign set a goal of $5 million, twice more than we had ever raised in the past, and we ended up exceeding it … we're now over $7 million!”

These project funds support (1) the Class of ’72 rehabilitation center (2) the DMP (3) project-based management (4) the Superintendent's Fund and (5) the new Alumni Association & Foundation Center.

“I think it’s part of my DNA,” said Beard. “I left the Navy, but ended up doing many of the same things: transferring to a new location every few years, leading people, leading organizations, and applying the leadership skills I learned in the Navy ... carrying those same skills forward into civilian life, like many of my classmates.”

Beard believes the individual decision to donate is gradual, growing over time. “I’m young and I’m not going to get married, oh, I want to get married, I’m not going to have kids, oh I want to have kids, etc. … it’s the same … we now end up supporting what we believe in through our philanthropy.”

Beard’s class arrived during the Vietnam War era. “We came in at the height of the Vietnam War, which was very unpopular, thus the public were not necessarily appreciative of our service to the country.” Much of Beard's class left during their plebe year. Out of 1,375 or so, only 949 graduated. “Many of those early departees have now reconnected with us for events and reunions; they typically say leaving the Academy was the worst decision of their lives. Throughout, our class has remained close. We just celebrated our 50th reunion, and nearly 700 classmates attended (with spouses & others, it topped out over 1,000). That says it all.”

The Class of ’72 raised $7.6 million for their 50th—a record. “Our class is proud to have raised more than any class in USNA history.” Since graduating, our class has raised $18.5 million!

“Jim and Jeff both jump at every opportunity to help support the Academy in ways that make sense for their classes—in Jim’s case, even long after their 50th reunion,” said Dan Quattrini, Director, Class Legacy Gift Programs, and donor relations contact for both class fundraisers. “These two gentlemen are as dedicated and loyal to the Naval Academy as they come, taking their fundraising positions seriously, both have the respect and adoration of their classmates.”

We thank the Classes of 1965 and 1972 for their commitment to support the Academy.

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