Robert N Tharp Award

In the early 2013 run-up to the first annual Joint Air Force & Naval ROTC Awards Ceremony, Det. 009 Commander Colonel Scott Manning mentioned to a few IFEL62 grads that it would be possible— in fact desirable— to create an award of our own to honor today’s ROTC cadets and at the same time solidify the historical presence of IFEL at Yale. After a brief discussion, four members of the 1962 IFEL classes volunteered to develop a plan for an award and submit it for Colonel Manning’s concurrence. 

There was widespread sentiment among IFEL grads for recognizing the importance of Bob Tharp to our IFEL educations and in some cases to future careers, so the new honor was named the Robert N. Tharp Award. Over the following seven months the committee of four worked to establish criteria for identifying eligible candidates and standards for selecting recipients; the committee selected the elements and designed the specific objects that would comprise the award; and they composed the language that would be engraved on those award objects.

In the end, the task group designed a presentation certificate, a challenge coin and a legacy plaque.  Colonel Manning opined “All good,” and the award was officially accepted.  The costs associated with the award were substantially offset by contributions from several IFEL grads, making coins and certificates available for future award recipients.

The plaque is displayed in the Detachment 009 AFROTC offices on the Yale campus with names of each year’s recipient of the Tharp Award engraved on it.   

Jason Kelly, the first recipient of the Robert N. Tharp Award, was honored at the 2014 Joint Air Force & Naval ROTC Awards Dinner and Ceremony on April 10, 2014.  Cadet Kelly is shown here with award presenter, Kevin Gunther (IFEL 62-04). Click here for details and photos of the eventt.

Adianis Matias, the second recipient of the Robert N. Tharp Award, was honored at the Yale President's Review on April 30, 2015. Cadet Matias is shown here receiving the award from Kevin Gunther (IFEL 62-04).

Carissa Silva, the third recipient of the Robert N. Tharp Award, was honored at the Yale President's Review on April 28, 2016. Cadet Silva is shown here receiving the award from Kevin Riddle (IFEL62-01).

Janna Rosenthal, the fourth recipient of the Robert N. Tharp Award, was honored at the Yale President's Review on May 4, 2017. Cadet Rosenthal received the award from Francis Vitagliano (DLI 69-01). Cadet Rosenthal is shown here with Colonel Tom McCarthy, DET Commander.

Lauren D. Waters, the fifth recipient of the Robert N. Tharp Award, was honored at the Yale President's Review on April 5, 2018. Click here for the event program and schedule. Cadet Waters is shown here after receiving the award from Kevin Gunther (IFEL 62-04)

Samantha M. Bleykhman, the sixth recipient of the Robert N. Tharp Award, was honored at the Yale President's Review on April 4, 2019. Cadet Bleykhman received the award from Kevin Gunther (IFEL 62-04). Cadet Bleykhman is shown here with mascot, "Handsome Dan."

Fiona A. Asbury, the seventh recipient of the Robert N. Tharp Award, was to be honored at the Yale President's Review on April 2, 2020, but the Review was cancelled due to Coronavirus restrictions. Cadet Asbury received the award informally from Colonel Thomas D McCarthy, Commander Yale AF ROTC. Cadet Asbury is shown here.

Molly J. Rogelstad, the eighth recipient of the Robert N. Tharp Award, was honored at the Yale President's Review on April 7, 2021, which was held by Zoom meeting due to Coronavirus restrictions.  The award was presented by Kevin Riddle (IFEL 62-01). Cadet Rogelstad is shown here.

Grace Zerba, the ninth recipient of the Robert N. Tharp Award, was honored at the Yale President's Review on April 14, 2022,  The award was presented by Kevin Gunther (IFEL 62-04). Cadet Zerba is shown here.

Cadet Schembri the tenth recipient of the Robert N. Tharp Award, was honored at the Yale President's Review on April 20, 2023,  The award was presented by Colonel Granholm.  Cadet Schembri is shown here.

The venue for presentation of the Robert Tharp Award is the annual Yale President's Review.