GENERAL WAYNE A. DOWNING SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCED – March 11, 2009
The Downing Scholarship will provide two junior leaders with two years of advanced education, foreign language skills, and cultural immersion and is a result of the vision and generosity of Mr. Vincent Viola, West Point Class of 1977.
“I see this program as a natural extension of my commitment to the Combating Terrorism Center and a fitting tribute to General Downing,” said Viola. “To share his legacy with a new generation of officers, who must fully grasp the nature of terrorism and how we fight it, is a privilege.” Downing was the first Distinguished Chair of the CTC.
During their tenure as Downing Scholars, officers will also serve as Fellows of the CTC at West Point, which will help them design an individual program including exposure to foreign counterterrorism forces and language training.
The program is open to Army officers from all commissioning sources who have between three and 11 years of service. Qualified candidates will be nominated through the Army’s Human Resources Command and the West Point Association of Graduates will make the final selections.
About West Point
West Point, The U.S. Military Academy, is a four-year co-educational federal undergraduate liberal arts college located 50 miles north of New York City. The world's preeminent leader development institution, it was founded in 1802 as America's first college of engineering. Its mission remains constant-to educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the Nation as an officer in the United States Army. For more information, go to www.westpoint.edu