West Point Class of 2026 Cadet Selected for Marshall Scholarship

WEST POINT, N.Y. – U.S. Military Academy Cadet Mark Clemons, Class of 2026, was selected to receive the prestigious Marshall Scholarship for continued academic study following graduation and commissioning in May. 

This is the 52nd Marshall Scholarship received by a U.S. Military Academy cadet, and the 11th consecutive year with West Point earning an award—its cumulative awards lead all military academies.

The Marshall is one of the most competitive scholarships of its kind, the program was created by an Act of British Parliament in 1953 as a living memorial to former US Secretary of State General George C. Marshall and American assistance provided following World War II. The scholarship supports fully funded graduate study in any academic topic at any university in the United Kingdom. 

“Cadet Clemons continues West Point’s proud legacy of producing premier leaders and warfighters for the Army,” said Brig. Gen. Shane Reeves, Dean of the Academic Board. “This opportunity will further develop him as an intellectually agile and strategically minded officer, one prepared to outthink and outperform future adversaries. He exemplifies precisely the kind of future leader our Army requires.” 

About the Marshall Scholar

Cadet Clemons, who hails from Panama City, Fl., an International Affairs major at West Point. He has completed a military internship at AFRICOM headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, where he assisted in strategic planning and participated in the restructuring process for the combatant command. Clemons has held several important roles in the Corps of Cadets. Over the summer, he served as the Garrison Commander for over 1,000 cadets and is a founding member of the Vanguard Initiative, a program focused on advanced military skills. An avid shooter, he is the armorer for the West Point Skeet and Trap Team, responsible for the safety and maintenance of more than a million dollars’ worth of equipment. Clemons also serves as the brigade public affairs officer for the entire 4,400-member Corps of Cadets. He hopes to be commissioned as an infantry officer.

“"I am humbled and honored to have been selected as a Marshall Scholar. This is the culmination of tremendous efforts invested in me by my advisors, instructors, mentors, coaches, and peers. I am excited to represent my family, the U.S. Military Academy, the Army, and the United States of America as I continue my education and further prepare myself to lead Soldiers."

 About the Marshall Scholarship

The Marshall Scholar program is a postgraduate opportunity funded by the British government for intellectually distinguished young Americans to study abroad at a university in the United Kingdom, in any field of study. The goal of the program is to strengthen the relationship between the two countries for the good of mankind.

To learn more about the Marshall Scholarship, visit https://www.marshallscholarship.org/

About West Point

The U. S. Military Academy at West Point is a four-year, co-educational, federal service academy located 50 miles north of New York City. It was founded in 1802 as America's first college of engineering and continues today as the world’s premier leader-development institution, consistently ranked among top colleges in the country. Its mission is to build, educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets to be commissioned leaders of character committed to the Army Values and ready for a lifetime of service to the Army and Nation. For more information, go to www.westpoint.edu.