The 50-Year Affiliation Program, which began with the Class of 1949 and 1999, strengthens the ties between graduates and cadets. Both groups work together to strengthen the Long Gray Line as it serves our nation.
The Class of 1974 started their journey with the Class of 2024 July 12-14, 2020 during a staggered R-Day due to COVID restrictions. Over the next four years, the grads accompanied their affiliated cadets at a multitude of significant Academy events such as Cow Affirmation Ceremony, Ring Weekend, Ring Memorial program, and Branch Night.
The two classes “Grip Hands” during the Class of 2024 June commencement ceremony on June 14, 2024 where the Class of 1974 was in attendance to present graduates with their 2LT bars, each engraved with “74-24.”
Timothy C. Tyson ’74
Tim Tyson ’74 is currently co-founder, majority owner, Chairman and CEO of TriRx Pharmaceutical Services. He also serves on the board of a biopharmaceutical company, Syros Pharmaceuticals Inc. Previously, Mr. Tyson served as Chairman and CEO of Aptuit LLC. He was Chairman and CEO from 2008 to 2012 leading a restructuring, acquisition and successful sale of a major portion of the company prior to stepping out as CEO to serve and guide the company as Chairman up until 2016. His corporate career spans over 35 years in the pharmaceutical industry. His expertise in leadership and management is internationally recognized. From 2002-2008, Mr. Tyson served as COO, President and CEO of Valeant Pharmaceuticals International. During this period, sales grew 69% and earnings increased 135%. He led a major restructuring of the company and established a highly effective Research and Development capability which developed an epilepsy compound, Potiga, which was approved in 2010, and a promising pro-drug for hepatitis C.
Prior to joining Valeant, Mr. Tyson ran multiple divisions for GlaxoSmithKline and was a member of the Corporate Executive Team. During his 14-year tenure at GlaxoSmithKline, he was President, Global Manufacturing and Supply and ran Glaxo Dermatology and Cerenex Pharmaceuticals. Mr. Tyson was also responsible for managing all sales and marketing for GlaxoWellcome’s U.S. operations, where he launched 32 new products, eight of which reached sales of greater than $1 billion/year. Mr. Tyson held executive positions in technical operations and R & D at Bristol-Myers from 1980-1988. Prior to his tenure at Bristol-Myers, he was a manufacturing manager at Procter & Gamble. He served on active duty as an officer in the United States Army from 1974-1979 and spent 13 years in the United States Army Reserves.
Mr. Tyson ’74 branched MP. While on active duty at Ft. McClellan, AL, he earned a Master of Public Administration in 1976 and a Master of Business Administration in 1979 from Jacksonville State University. In 2002, Mr. Tyson received a Bicentennial Leadership Award from USMA and was named 2007 Alumnus of the Year at Jacksonville State University. He is a co-owner and Chairman of the Historic Thayer Hotel at West Point and co-founder, owner and Chairman of the Thayer Leadership Development Group.
He has served on the board of directors for BDSI, Marken, Tyme Technologies, Icagen, Avara, Valeant Pharmaceuticals International; the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturing Association (PhRMA); BIOCOM; the CEO Roundtable for the University of California at Irvine; the Dean’s Executive Forum at Cal State Fullerton; the CEO Roundtable on Cancer; the Health Sector Advisory Board at Duke University; the International Leadership Forum of the International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineers and as a visiting lecturer at Cambridge University in the UK. He is a member of the Six Sigma Hall of Fame. Mr. Tyson has served on the board of directors for non-profit organizations in Raleigh-Durham, NC, Orange County, CA, and Fairfield County, CT, and with the United Way. He is an active patron of the Children of Fallen Patriots and the Joint Services Special Operations Fund.
