Brother Oliver T. Douthitt (Zeta Rho/Kentucky 2016) recently received an offer of appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Kelly Jones, Assistant Editor of The Rattle, spoke with Brother Douthitt about his appointment.
What is the process involved in applying to West Point? Do you have to first apply to your Congressman?
“Most appointees are accepted directly from high school, but in my case I did not apply until my junior year of college,” said Douthitt. “I will still have to start as a plebe (freshman) and complete the full four years at West Point, but in the grand scheme of things it will be more than worth the time. I feel as though my time at the University of Kentucky and prior enlisted service have helped to prepare me for West Point and I am better off now than if I would have applied in high school,” he added.
How did you feel when you learned that you had been appointed?
“I am incredibly honored to receive an appointment, and it would not have happened without the support of my friends, family, and also my fraternity brothers here at the Zeta Rho chapter,” said Douthitt. The pro-military attitude of Theta Chi is something that I have always appreciated; there are a few other brothers in my chapter who also serve in the National Guard and they share the same sentiment,” Douthitt said.
What do you think about Theta Chi’s partnership with the USO?
“I have never been deployed, but the USO is a great philanthropy to support. I know many men/women who served overseas who appreciate what they do. It's important that we as a fraternity support those fighting for our freedom and putting themselves in harms way every day,” said Douthitt.
We would like to congratulate Brother Douthitt on his appointment, and wish him well at the United States Military Academy at West Point!
The article below was posted with written permission from Rita Dukes Smith, News Director, SurfKY News Group, Inc.
Whitfield Congratulates West Point Appointee
By Marty Irby/SurfKY News
WASHINGTON (2/5/15) -- U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield (KY-01), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Power, today announced that Mr. Oliver Thomas Douthitt of Paducah has received an offer of appointment to the prestigious United States Military Academy at West Point.
As part of the requirements for that appointment, Whitfield provided a Congressional Nomination for Mr. Douthitt.
"It is my honor to nominate this outstanding individual for appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point," said Whitfield. "As this young man now prepares to begin his promising career serving our country, I am confident he will represent the Commonwealth with diligence, honor, and class. I couldn't be more proud of Mr. Douthitt and I wish him well."
Oliver Douthitt is the son of Jeff and Sharon Douthitt and graduated from Heath High School in 2012, enrolled at the University of Kentucky, and entered the Army ROTC at that time. Douthitt scored a 31 on his ACT and was 12th in his class at Heath High School. He currently serves in the Kentucky National Guard and is a member of Theta Chi Fraternity's Zeta Rho Chapter where he served as Epsilon Pledge Class Treasurer and Assistant Pledge Marshal.
The United States Military Academy at West Point has been educating, training, and inspiring leaders of character for our United States Army, and for the nation, for more than 200 years. West Point provides a 47-month leader-development program steeped in academic rigor, military discipline, and physical challenges, all built upon a moral-ethical foundation. The academy is an internationally recognized institution for academic, military and physical excellence, and we are proud that today's cadets will become tomorrow's military, public, and private-sector leaders.
Students interested in applying should visit Representative Whitfield's website.
To view the original article, visit http://surfky.com/index.php/news/local/mccracken/57387-whitfield-congratulates-west-point-appointee