Old Grad Podcast

Vonnette Couch Monteith (H1) ”Say what you mean, Do what you Say”

Vonette served over 24 years as an Army Officer following graduation. She currently lives in Watertown NY in an 1800's vintage building that she bought while stationed at Fort Drum. She owns and operates a restaurant that occupies the downstairs of her multi-story building: Empire Square - Southern Fusion Restaurant and cocktail bar. She recalls her tough slog with academics and her priceless friendships she forged while getting through West Point.  

Karen Walsh (G4) ”I get by with a little help from my friends”

Following her active duty Army time, Karen Walsh served 21 years as an FBI special agent focusing on a number of areas including violent sex crimes, human trafficking, and domestic terrorism. She spent nearly 2 years in a deep undercover role to expose a domestic terrorist threat and bring those responsible to justice. We reminisce about her time at West Point where she developed her appreciation for teamwork and fostered her love of country. 

MG Johnny Richardson, H3.”Leading with Trust”

John Richardson (H-3) is currently serving as the Division Commander of the 1st Cavalry Division. He is our first guest to actually sing their walkup song "I want to be in the Cavalry." We talk about the importance of personal connections in leading soldiers, and the importance of building a climate of Trust. Johnny was nearly kicked out of West Point in the summer of our Cow year. His Tac officer Major Morris went to bat for him. Johnny got to pay if forward years later as a Tac Officer when he recommended retaining a cadet who would later go on serve in the Army with distinction.  As a squadron commander of 5-4 Cavalry in Iraq, he was faced with a changing enemy threat that required his unit to make some radical changes. Johnny talks about he importance of building support for change by explaining the "Why" whenever possible 

Craig Peterson D-2. ”Teen Spirit, Here we are now, entertain us.”

Craig Peterson is surrounded by teenagers. He works as a high school teacher in Duluth MN and is a father to 6 children.  He shares his journey starting with a recruiting call in 1986 that led to 4 years at West Point and several years of service in the Army. In company D-2 he roomed with fallen classmates John Tiner and Tommy McTigue for several semesters. He also was close to our fallen classmate Paul Haggerty.  He met his wife Andrea while stationed in Europe and they were married a year later. Tragically, Andrea passed away from a rare autoimmune disease a few years ago leaving Craig to parent all 6 kids on his own.  He continues to amaze us with incredible optimism and perseverance.  DSBD

Introducing - Through the Gray

I coincidentally came across this other podcast - Through the Gray. It follows a similar format to Old Grad Podcast, but is about the class of 2001. I was struck by the similarities and even more struck by the differences. Listen to my conversation with Joe Harrison who is the creator of this incredible work.  
https://open.spotify.com/show/4au1g8ibIuKwaFnwNSKozi
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/through-the-gray/id1624827253
https://anchor.fm/joe-harrison0

Trent Price (G3)- Enjoy Life and Do the Right Thing

Trent has been battling a brain tumor since 2016. He relocated to Florida during the pandemic to have better access to medical care. He continues to live life to the fullest including riding his motorcycle two days after brain surgery. A highlight of this episode is at minute 48 when he talks about some special additional instruction he received in French Class.  

Greg Mogavero (B2) - ”Ita Fitta Fine”

After a 23-year career in the Army, Greg Mogavero is back at West Point working in the physics department. He picked his theme song from Sanford and Son because he loves to tinker with things whether it be fixing up his century-old house in Cornwall, or a high-power telescope for the cadets - he is in his element when he's taking things apart and putting them back together again. We talk about his journey to West Point that started with first considering the Airforce Academy while he was on a Boy Scout trip to Philmont. One of his lifelong sayings was picked up from the old Italian tailors at West Point - "Ita  Fitta Fine" - it is a mantra by which he lives life. 

Clay Lowe C3 / C2

Clay Lowe lives in the UK and has only been back to the US once in the past 20 years. In this episode, we hear about his life as an ExPat, a crazy camping trip that included experimentation with magic mushrooms, and his "Gap Year" at West Point after a self-reported honor transgression.  Clay is a deeply thoughtful person with a deep intellect and a keen sense of self. His walk-up song was appropriate "Like a Stone" by Audioslave. Perhaps it was because after prep school. 3 stap summers, and a gap year - you just can't get Clay to back down - you can't smoke a stone.... Or then again, maybe its appropriate because he swam like a stone in rock swimming. 

Old Grad Podcast Highlights - End of 2022

As we end 2022, these are some of my favorite clips from OGP. I am committing to do at least 12 episodes in 2023. Thank you to all who have continued to push me to keep doing this. Happy New Year All. 

Ovi Alfaro (B-2)

Ovi lives in the Philadelphia area and is currently COO for the American Bible Society. An interesting fact is that the very first graduate of West Point Joseph Swift also worked for the Bible Society. He took on this assignment following a successful career in the oil and gas industry. Ovi is the Class Bereavement officer and reflects on experiences in dealing with the survivor families of our class. Ovi was born in Cuba and emigrated with his family in the early 1970s. He remembers with great reverence the patriotism of his family - from a MacDonald's restaurant to Coca Cola to the plain at West Point.