Home to the Class of 1968 Rotunda, the first floor includes various Library and West Point services. At the Front Desk, visitors are greeted and provided with information on access to the building. Cadets, staff, and faculty can check out and pick up materials ordered from the Library of Congress, SUNY Sharing, or another lending library through Inter-Library Loan.
The first floor also hosts the Center for Enhanced Performance (CEP), the Center for Faculty Excellence (CFE), and the West Point Writing Program (WPWP).
Center for Enhanced Performance (CEP)
CEP staff, who maintain a reading efficiency lab in the basement of Jefferson Hall, help develop the full potential of cadets through classes and individual sessions employing a combination of reading, study, and applied psychology skills.
Center for Faculty Excellence
The Center for Faculty Excellence (CFE) provides programs, services, and opportunities to support USMA faculty members' continued growth as educators, scholars, and leaders.
Their programs and events include the Master Teacher Program, Teaching Improvement Presentations, Faculty Development Workshops, Office Hours, All Academy Collaboration Sessions, Project Management Professional Review Course, Issues in Higher Education Book Club, and more.
West Point Writing Program
The WPWP collaborates with all departments to provide a cohesive, intentional writing program across the curriculum. It also runs the Mounger Writing Center, located on the second floor of Jefferson Hall.
In addition, there are two conference rooms and the Class of 1957 Café. The Library does allow patrons to bring limited food items above the first floor. These include covered drinks and snacks. Sandwiches, pizzas, and other larger food items are prohibited.
The South Entrance, our main entryway, features engravings of the U.S. Military Academy Coat of Arms and the Seal of the United States on the limestone wall on either side of the double doors. The east and west entrances of the building were made possible through gifts from the Class of 1971, and the display cases in the west hallway provide a showcase for publications and research projects of the faculty and staff members of the Academy.
USMA Coat of Arms Terrazzo
On the floor of the rotunda is a terrazzo depiction of the United States Military Academy Coat of Arms, given to the Academy by the Class of 1968. An official Coat of Arms for the United States Military Academy was adopted on 13 October 1898. A slight revision was approved by the Adjutant General of the Army on 2 July 1923. The emblem consists of the helmet of Pallas Athena, a symbol of wisdom and learning. This helmet is over the Greek sword which is generally known as the universal symbol of war. The emblem is attached to a shield, bearing the arms of the United States, and on the shield's crest is a bald eagle, the national symbol. The eagle's claws hold 13 arrows representing the 13 original states and oak and olive branches, symbols of peace.
Thomas Jefferson - 1802 Statue
A bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson, sculpted by James N. Muir, a non-graduating member of the Class of 1968, overlooks the terrazzo crest and "greets" visitors to Jefferson Hall. This sculpture, entitled "Thomas Jefferson - 1802" depicts Jefferson in the act of signing the law that formally established West Point as the United States Military Academy.
Appearing at the base of the statue is the quotation from the law on March 16, 1802:
"And be it further enacted, that the said corps ... shall be stationed at West Point in the state of New York and shall constitute a military academy ... ".
The statue was cast by James Muir, an artist who was originally a member of the Class of '68, but due to unforeseen circumstances had to leave West Point before graduation. He eventually served in the Air Force, and stayed in close touch with his former classmates who commissioned him to create a statue of Jefferson as their gift to us.
The Jefferson statue delivery has its own story. Mr. Muir lives and works in the Pacific Northwest, and the statue was transported across the country by truck. Along the way, the truck driver noticed the drivers of passing cars trying to get his attention, and when he pulled over he discovered smoke seeping out the back of the truck. Some of the packing materials around the statue had caught fire. The driver was able to extinguish the fire, and the slightly sooty and very lightly scorched statue and pedestal were taken to a foundry just up the river in Newburgh for examination before being installed at here their final destination. Since bronze is born in fire, Jefferson was no worse for wear and simply required a bit of cleaning and a new patina finish. The base, however, showed more distinct signs of the blaze. Scouring and some sand blasting removed most marks of the fire, but the members of the Class of '68 chose to leave some hints of the trial by fire as a testament to Mr. Jefferson and his ordeal.
