Winter 2010

“Rifle of the Millions”The M1 Garand

2 Norwich University Record/Winter 2010 www.alumni.norwich.edu

The Norwich (Hockey) ExperienceThe following was addressed to Norwich Head Men’s Ice Hockey Coach Mike McShane.

I just wanted to take a moment and commend you for putting together the 100 Years of Hockey celebration. My four years at Norwich (1961–1965) as a player were the best of my life. I was given an opportunity to play on a team that competed with every school no matter what the size. I still get chills when I recall playing Boston College in their rink and skating onto the ice with their band blasting out “For Boston, for Boston.” Unfortunately I was unable to schedule time away for this weekend, but I wanted to say hello to all of my teammates in the Class of ’65, and thank them for making the Norwich Experience so fantastic. Thanks again for this weekend, and thanks for what you have done to make the Norwich Experi-ence even greater than when I was there.

Reverend Robert “Bootleg” Williams ’65 Plano, Texas

A Thank You from ThailandLast night, when I came home late from work somewhat exhausted, my 8-year-old son told me that we had received a big envelope in the mail. I told him that it could be the “Trans-former” action figure he was waiting for, however, the envelope contained some kind of document, and not the “Transformer” my son was hoping for.

When we opened the envelope, it was a copy of the Norwich Record. I was delighted and excited, while my son was obvi-ously disappointed. That could well be a good exercise for him in dealing with disappointments in life, but I am certainly not telling him that, and still have to get that “Transformer” for him ASAP because, actually, that is what life is all about. Receiving a copy of the Record certainly made my day. It’s true that you can read it online, but nothing beats having it in real paper in front of you. I guess that is why the newspaper busi-ness is still very much alive in this Internet era. To make a long story short, I just wanted to write to say “thank you.” It’s enjoyable to read about things that are happening at Norwich, about all the news and activities. I, in particular, like to read the club news and class notes to learn about what the alumni are up to. For my military-related education, Norwich was the school I where I spent the most time. I lived and learned many things there, so it is a memorable place for me.

Here in Thailand we have a lively alumni club. Mr.Viramit Tejapaibul ’71 currently serves as club president, and Group Captain Professor Dr. Vinai Chunpai, Royal Thai Air Force ’80, is our enthusiastic and energetic club secretary. I, myself, had the honor to work as the club secretary, and had the privilege to receive President Schneider and the delegates from Norwich on his recent trip to Thailand. Our Thai Norwich alumni have continued to make Norwich proud by reaching the top of their careers both in the mili-tary and private sectors. Just to name a few, among the many of them, General Charn Boonpraserth ’64 was the Army Chief of Staff; General Boonsrang Niumpradit ’70 was the Supreme Commander; and our current president, Mr. Viramit, is a very successful businessman. It is not easy, but we (the Thai alumni) hope to carry on the Norwich legacy.

WINTER 2010 VOLUME 103 • NUMBER 1

On The CoverRifle of the Millions: The M1 Garand, Described by General Patton as, “the greatest battle implement ever devised by man,” the M1 Garand rifle was the undisputed bedfellow of every World War II and Korean G.I. Standard issue (with firing pins removed) for Norwich cadets from the mid-1940s through the 1960s, this once discarded weapon is now a prized collectors’ item. Article on page 15. Cover illustration from the book, Lucian Cary on Guns, Fawcett Books, 1945.

The Norwich RecordRichard W. Schneider

President, Norwich University

David Whaley ’76 VP for Development and Alumni Relations

Diana L. WegglerSenior Editor

ContributorsChristian AndersonJames E. BressorMark Curley ’89

Jessica Dunkel ’02Chrissie Eastman ’90

Gary FrankJessi Gilbert

Valerie Solof MonetteCharlie O’Neil ’94Kathryn ProvostAllison Sultan

Tony Sussmann ’66

Photographer: Jay Ericson

Graphic Design: Laura Parette Design

Printing and Mailing: Lane Press

The Record is published by:The Office of Development and Alumni Relations

158 Harmon Drive, Northfield, VT 05663802.485.2318

record@norwich.edu

Please direct class notes, club news, obituaries and address changes to:

The Office of Alumni and Family Affairs1.877.485.2019

alumni@norwich.edu

C o n t e n t s

Letters for The RecordThe Record welcomes correspondence from its readers. All letters will be considered for publication, but yours is more likely to be published if it is fewer than 300 words and addresses a timely and relevant topic. Please note that we reserve the right to edit for grammar, length and clarity. In addition, all letters must be signed. You may address letters directly to: Editor, The Record, Norwich University, 158 Harmon Drive, Northfield, VT 05663; fax to 802.485.2340; or e-mail record@norwich.edu.

FEATURES 4 Friendly Fire: The Phil Benn Story By Gary E. Frank

12 The French Connection, Part II : Brothers-in-Arms By Robyn O. Greene

15 Rifle of the Millions: The M1 Garand By Tony Sussmann ’66

16 Giving Back, Norwich Style: The Inaugural Norwich Day of Service By Allison Sultan

24 “100 Years of Norwich Hockey” Celebration Photos by Diana Weggler

DEPARTMENTS 6 In the News Todd Lecture Series Draws Top Speakers NU to Participate in Cyber-Defense Competition Alumni Host International Students Over Thanksgiving NU Students, Alumni Compete in Arduous Death Race Professors Lecture on Sustainable Living

8 Athletics George Commo: The Voice of Norwich Hockey Women’s Rugby to Compete in National Sweet 16 Fall Sports Wrap-up

10 Development and Alumni Relations New Consecutive Giving Society Job-Hunting Tips for Alumni The Heart of Carolina Club: A Model of Excellence By Charlie O’Neil ’94

14 Alumni News & Views Man of Steel: Engineering Grad is a Superhero Club News and Class Notes

23 In Memoriam The Unforgettable George Turner

Continued on page 3

D. W

eggl

er p

hoto

www.norwich.edu Norwich University Record/Winter 2010 3

Letters continued from page 2

As I write this, Norwich is closing in on the end of the fall semester, and signs of the season are everywhere: The UP is blanketed in white from a recent snowfall; the Commandant’s Office is decorated with garlands and bows; Sodexo has served its annual holiday dinner; and students are knuckling down as they prepare for exams before going home for a well-deserved break.

Even in this darkest time of year in the Dog River Valley, when the sun is barely visible above the horizon for eight hours a day, here on the Hill there is much cause for celebration.

First of all, I am thrilled with the progress being made by the School of Graduate Studies, both academically and financially, despite increasing competition from state subsidized schools. In November, I traveled with Bill Clements, Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, and MBA Director Jose Cordova, to Bogotá, Colombia, where we met with senior administrators at the Universidad El Bosque. Norwich is forming a strategic alliance with the Universidad El Bosque, and has committed to converting the MBA program into Spanish, with the ultimate goal of offering all of our programs in Spanish. Once complete, this will enable us to reach Central and South American markets, as well as Spanish-speaking citizens of the United States. Meanwhile, at the undergraduate level, we currently have two El Bosque students enrolled in the School of Business and Management, and plans are being worked out to send Norwich students to El Bosque in the future.

Also in November, we had the first ever nationwide Norwich Day of Service, in which many of you who are reading this participated. More than 200 alumni, friends, and students representing ten alumni clubs in nine states and the District of Columbia took on a variety of community service projects to benefit veterans, children of deployed soldiers, schools, food banks, Habitat for Humanity, and the environment. The collective impact of the Norwich family working together for the benefit of others earned an official mention in the Congressional Record by Representative Peter Welch (D-Vt.). For more on this remarkable day, see pages 16 and 17.

In fall sports, our women’s rugby team stormed their way to victory in the Northeast Championships, and will compete in USA Rugby’s Collegiate Division II Sweet Sixteen in Florida in April. Meanwhile, in football, the Cadets went undefeated in league play, capturing the first conference title in the history of the program, and running back Orwin Etkins became the first Cadet in 22 years to win the prestigious Golden Helmet Award. Meanwhile, our winter sports teams have gotten off to a superb start, with the men’s ice hockey team going undefeated in their first twenty games—including a win over Plattsburgh in an exciting shootout to capture their sixth PrimeLink Great Northern Shootout—and the men’s basketball team taking the Hockenbury Classic.

Unfortunately not all of the news that hit the streets this fall was of a positive nature. Incidents occurring both on and off campus involving Norwich students resulted in negative press coverage in both local and national media. And while as a whole our student body is held in high regard, it is nonetheless true that the mistakes of a few misguided youths have the power to make all of us look bad. Furthermore, because we pride ourselves as an institution that holds its members to a higher standard, we tend to fall that much farther from grace when we do err. However, while it pains all of us to admit that even Norwich students are capable of incredible wrong-doing, we must not lose sight of the fact that the vast majority of our students are honest, trustworthy, upstanding citizens, capable of making good decisions, who are living our Norwich values every day. That said, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your belief in—and continued support of—our wonderful students. While they occasionally let us down, it remains our job never to let them down.

Norwich forever!

RADM (Ret.) Richard W. Schneider, USCGR

From the PresidentLastly, as earlier mentioned, I just wanted to write to express my sincere appreciation for your reach to an alumnus half-way around the world. It was really a big deal for me. And I do realize that it is currently flu season (both seasonal and H1N1) in the States, so I hope you all take very good care of yourselves. Sr. Col. (Tom) Apigeat Saunkratoke ’83 Royal Thai Army Phatumthani, Thailand

Homecoming ThanksThe following two letters were addressed to Norwich Presi-dent Richard W. Schneider.

Homecoming 2009 was just fantastic. I commend you and the entire Norwich community. I have NEVER seen the campus look so beautiful. Norwich employees I spoke with seemed to be pleased with Norwich and happy to see the alumni. The students I spoke with were courteous, helpful, informative, and interested in meeting alumni. Lastly, I want you to know that the tireless efforts of the alumni office staff were quite evident and much appreciated.

Joe Egolf , Class of ’64 Class Agent West Suffield, Connecticut

I want to say that Homecoming Weekend was a most memo-rable one. It was great seeing all the classmates who attended our 50th and being received into the Old Guard (even though we are not old enough), but having our deceased classmates’ children attend was the highlight of the weekend. It was a very emotional experience. I spoke to all the kids, albeit briefly, about their dads and their accomplishments while at Norwich. What a wonderful weekend. I will remember it always.

Dave Barrington, Class of ’59 Class Agent Chester, Virginia

Job Well DoneI would like to extend a “job well done” to James Bressor on his article profiling Mark Stainbrook ’91 and Timothy Kalkus ’87 in the fall edition of the Norwich Record. Both they and he deserve a great big thank you for their dedication to their craft, and Mr. Bressor, for taking the time to recognize and write such an inspiring article. A big smile of admiration, and a big thanks for letting me be touched by the pride and joy of your accomplishments.

Richard Mendel ’64 Ann Arbor, Michigan

Letters continued from page 2

Calling All WWII Veterans!The Sullivan Museum and History Center is planning to install an exhibition on “Memories of WWII,” which will include artifacts and stories from NU alumni who served in many theaters during the War. If you would like to participate in some way, kindly contact: Marilyn Solvay, director, at 802.485.2448, or e-mail msolvay@norwich.edu.

Exhibit will run August 21, 2010 – December 23, 2010

MISSING SOMETHING?!It has come to our attention that some copies

of the fall Record were defective. If you received a copy that was missing pages and/or had duplicates of pages, please contact

Diana Weggler at 802.485.2318 or e-mail record@norwich.edu,

and we will be happy to send you a complete version.

4 Norwich University Record/Winter 2010 www.alumni.norwich.edu

Charles Sutphen was convinced he would never know any more about Philip Benn ’67 than his full name on a polished black granite wall, and the fact that when they first met, Benn was, like himself, newly married. With the help of the Virtual Wall and and a couple of Vermont College grads, all that has changed.

Benn’s widow, Kristine (nee MacDougal) Budelman VC ’67, and Sutphen, a soldier in Benn’s platoon, have never met face to face, and have only known of the other for a few months, but the arc of their lives crossed more than 40 years ago on a mountainside in Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam.

The nexus for that convergence was Philip C. Benn ’67, an Army second lieutenant who was Kristine’s husband of only a few months and Sutphen’s platoon leader. The date was March 26, 1968, the worst day of all of their lives.

Sutphen had been with Second Platoon, Bravo Company, First Battalion, 502nd Infantry, of the 101st Airborne Divi-sion for about a week. 2LT Benn, he said, immediately took him under his wing. “He said, ‘Stick with me, and I’ll see to it you get through this okay,’” says Sutphen.

It was the next-to-last day of a patrol when Second Platoon came across a group of North Viet-namese soldiers filling their canteens in a mountain stream. The NVA troops escaped into the woods, but in his haste, one dropped his helmet. Sutphen and Benn spotted the helmet at thesame time, and both reached over to pick it up. “‘Go ahead and take it; I’ll get one later,’” Sutphen recalls Benn saying. “He told me to strap it to the bottom of my rucksack where it would be out of the way.”

On such small acts are fates determined. A short while later, First Platoon, which was advancing up the mountain ahead of Second Platoon, came under fire. The officer leading First Platoon called an artillery unit to fire a smoke round to mark the spot where the enemy fire was coming from. After the round landed, the platoon leader radioed to adjust “25 meters.” Somehow, the difference in elevation wasn’t factored in. When the artillery battery fired nine high explosive rounds, they fell short, crashing down on Lieutenant Benn and his men.

To this day, Sutphen remembers the pop of the fuse of the first high explosive round. He jumped up, tried to run, got tangled in a vine, and fell on his face. Remembering his training, he assumed the “grenade” position as the world “erupted” around him. Sutphen could hear Lieutenant Benn screaming, “CEASE FIRE, CEASE FIRE, CEASE FIRE!” as shrapnel ripped through his left leg. A short time later, when a medic reached Sutphen, he asked him about Lt. Benn. Someone nodded in the direction of the tree where Sutphen had last seen his platoon leader. What he saw next has haunted him every day since: The gold wedding band on Benn’s left hand, and the rest of the lieutenant’s body several feet beyond his left arm.

Sutphen spent two weeks recuperating from his wounds on a hospital ship before returning to Bravo Company. He received a battlefield promotion to sergeant, and later the Bronze Star. During his recovery, he learned that someone had found the NVA helmet that had been attached to his rucksack. It had a huge dent in it. Only then did he realize that Lieutenant Benn’s selfless

action had saved his life. “That NVA helmet I strapped onto my rucksack stopped a big piece of shrapnel from ripping into my back and killing me,” he says.

A few days after the friendly fire incident, Kristine was at her job at Greenwich Hospital in Greenwich, Conn. when her mother called and asked her to come home. She and Philip had married in October 1967, and when they parted company after Thanksgiving, she moved in with her parents, whose apartment was within walking distance of her job. “Halfway home, I knew it was about Phil,” she recalls. The uniformed soldier who stood up as she walked in the door confirmed her worst suspicions. At the age of 21, she was a widow.

Kristine MacDougal met Philip Benn when she was a second-year student at Vermont College and he was a senior at Norwich. Kristine describes her late husband, an accomplished horseman and soccer player, as “formal, polite, gallant, and serious.” The son of an Army lieutenant colonel, and grandson of a Marine master sergeant, Benn seemed destined for the military from birth. An outstanding individual by all accounts, he was one of 22 Norwich seniors named to “Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.”

Two years after Benn was killed, Kristine met a friend from high school, Jerry Budelman, and the two married a short time later. The couple, who lives in Olympia, Wash., raised three children and have five grandchildren. The Budelmans’ eldest son served in the Army, and their daughter is a nurse at Fort Lewis, Wash. Her family’s ongoing connection to the military has helped to keep Benn’s memory nearby always. “That was a poignant, wonderful time,” she says. “I have a lot of fond memories. That part of my life will always be there for me.”

“He was kind, considerate, and thoughtful. He was a good leader

who deserved a lot more than he got...” ~ Charles Sutphen,

in a memorial to Philip C. Benn ’67

Charles Sutphen as a young soldier. Photograph courtesy of Charles Sutphen.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. Photo courtesy of Jean Zbinden.

Philip Benn as a Norwich senior. From the 1967 War Whoop.

Friendly Fire: The Phil Benn StoryBy Gary E. Frank

www.norwich.edu Norwich University Record/Winter 2010 5

Sutphen served in the Army for another 14 years, retiring in 1982. A few months after his retirement he began talking about his wartime experience with a psychologist who was counseling one of his children at the time. The psychologist, as it turned out, also worked for the Department of Defense counseling veterans. Sutphen remained in therapy for ten years. The psychologist urged him to start writing down his memories. When he started to write, it was often about Philip Benn. Sutphen became, by his own admission, “near obsessed” with locating Benn’s widow, and for years tried to find her without any success.

On August 25, 2009, Sutphen, who lives in suburban Minneapolis, posted a thank you message on a Web page devoted to Benn on the Virtual Wall, an online archive of every American whose name is on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. He ended his posting with the words, “If perchance the woman he loved for that short time happens to read this, I want you, dear lady, to understand that your husband was a good soldier, and he believed in what he was doing.” He included his e-mail address. A short time later, his message was read by a Vermont College classmate of Kristine’s, Jean Zbinden, who happens to be the wife of Norwich alumnus Art Zbinden ’68. Jean, after a little sleuthing of her own, found Kristine’s address and forwarded it to Sutphen, who then wrote her a letter. “Receiving that letter took my breath away,” says Kristine.

After a week, she responded to Sutphen by e-mail. When she learned how Benn had died, it confirmed a nightmare she had the night before the friendly fire incident. “I dreamt of all these artillery flashes, and after each flash everyone was walking around scarred. I had scars,” she recalls.

In a series of e-mail exchanges, the two have shared information about the man whose fate bonds them. Sutphen has learned that after attending a meeting of Campus Crusade for Christ during his senior year at Norwich, Benn decided he would attend seminary after his tour of duty in Vietnam. He wanted to become an Army chaplain.

The back-and-forth communication has helped to give Sutphen a measure of what he was looking for: closure. “It has done wonders for me emotionally. I’ve made connections with people I never expected to be in contact with,” says Sutphen. “There is a kind of kinship here, one that transcends the physical realm. I feel as though I am now a part of Lt. Benn’s life.”

“I’m ecstatic,” says Mrs. Budelman. “I just feel blessed that I could help. He’s just a dear guy.”

As for Jean Zbinden, the VC grad who helped Sutphen and Budelman find each other after forty plus years, she is perhaps happiest of all. In a recent e-mail to Sutphen, she wrote, “Connecting you and Kristine has been my biggest joy of the year, and that joy will last forever, as will our friendship. I’m so grateful that you put a message on the Virtual Wall, because other-wise I would never have known you were looking for Phil’s family. And I am also very happy that I was the one who put you in touch with her and that perhaps, just hopefully, it brought both of you some measure of peace and closure to such great sadness.”

The Virtual WallThe Virtual Wall is a commemorative Web site created to extend the legacy of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Founded in 1998, it allows families, friends and veterans to post photo, text and audio remembrances to those who lost their lives in the war or remain missing in action.

The Virtual Wall features more than 100,000 messages, anecdotes and photographs and provides visitors with the ability to view digital name rubbings similar to those at The Wall in Washington, D.C. The Memorial Fund encourages you to post remembrances for friends and loved ones whose names are inscribed on the Memorial to remember and honor each and every one of those who served in the Vietnam War and to expand this digital legacy project.

Through this interactive Web site, the healing power and emotional impact of The Wall now is extended to millions of more people through the Internet. For veterans, family, friends and others who are unable to travel to the nation’s capital, the site offers an opportunity to remember and honor the more than 58,000 men and women whose names are inscribed on the Memorial.

The Virtual Wall is maintained by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. For more information, visit www.vvmf.org.

Norwich Alumni in Vietnam

More than 1,000 Norwich alumni served in Vietnam.

Below are the names of 22 who made the ultimate sacrifice:

Richard W. Ellison ’43

Ralph W. Caspole ’56

Stephen R. Porcella ’57

Charles E. Sauer ’58

Paul D. Barthiaume ’59

John H. Joyce ’59

Lawrence D. Woods ’59

Walter N. Levy ’63

Frank A. D’Amico ’64

Freeman A. Carr ’64

David K. Hight ’64

Arthur E. Wright III ’64

Richard P. Rand ’65

Stephen D. Carr ’66

John Godfrey ’66

John A. Jablonski ’66

John P. Lyon ’66

Frederick S. Sherwin ’66

Philip C. Benn ’67

Vernon F. Hovey III ’68

Joseph A. Silva ’68

Richard J. Gray ’69

“If perchance the woman he loved for that short time happens to read this...your husband was a good soldier,

and he believed in what he was doing.” ~Charles Sutphen,

in a message posted on the Virtual Wall

Charles Sutphen, holding photo of Philip Benn. Photo courtesy of Charles Sutphen

The back-and-forth communication has helped to give Sutphen a measure

talking about his wartime experience with a psychologist who was counseling one of his children at the time. The psychologist, as it turned out, also worked for the Department of Defense counseling veterans. Sutphen remained

Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. He ended his posting with the words, “If perchance the woman he loved

Why Do Patriots Fight?By Charles W. Sutphen Sr., U.S.A. (Ret.)4 July, 1999

Is it lust for War, or love of freedom that makes Patriots fight?Is it lust for blood that makes Warriors sleepless in the night?In a jungle, desert, forest, many miles away from homeWhere citizen soldiers must sometimes roam

To insure for themselves and for their childrenSpace to be what they should be -

Freedom is not given -It must be wrested from oppressors who would rather

People be slave than free...So it is not lust for War or lust for Blood

That makes Patriots fight...It is to secure for a Right the ability of their children

To sleep safely in the night!

6 Norwich University Record/Winter 2010 www.alumni.norwich.edu

I N TH E N E WS

Norwich to Participate in Prestigious Cyber-Defense CompetitionEach spring, the National Security Agency (NSA) runs the Cyber Defense Exercise (CDX). Currently the exercise involves a competition between students at the five United States Service Academies. Several other schools—the Air Force Institute of Technology, the Naval Postgraduate School, and the Royal Military College of Canada—also participate, but are not eligible to compete.

Norwich has been invited to be the first of the senior military colleges to participate. While not eligible to win the traveling trophy this year, the team will be eligible starting next year.

Preparation began in October for the exercise, which runs for a week toward the end of the school year. Students from the participating schools compete from their own campuses, and are tied together over the Internet through a secure tunnel/VPN. Norwich will be using its IWar Virtual Lab and Primary-Virtual Cluster.

Professor Peter Stephenson will act as coach for the Norwich CyberCadet team. “This competition invitation puts us in the big leagues with the national service academies,” says Stephenson. “I am very proud of our students and appreciative of Mr. Hedrick’s assistance in helping us get the invite.”

For more information, contact Peter Stephenson at pstephen@norwich.edu.

Todd Lecture Series Draws Top SpeakersF urnished with grants from the family of General (Ret.) and Mrs. Russell Todd ’50, each academic visiting committee from the Board of Fellows, representing the seven schools at the University, was tasked with selecting a renowned expert on the topic of sustainability and inviting them to speak on campus this semester.

Speakers for the 2010 series, which began on February 10, include noted American environmentalist and author William McKibben; Major General Robert F. Behler, USAF (Ret.), senior vice president and deputy general manager of Mitre Corpo-ration; SMART POWER panelists COL Christopher Holshek, COL (Ret.) Thomas Baltazar, Ms. Caryn Hollis, and Dr. Reuben Brigety; theoretical physicist Dr. Lawrence Krauss; Jeanne Gang, principal architect for Studio Gang Architects; and Air Force Lt. Gen. David Deptula, deputy chief of staff for intelli-gence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

This spring’s series follows a well-attended Todd Lecture given in October by David M. Walker, Former head of the Govern-ment Accountability Office from 1998 to 2008, and presi-dent and CEO of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation. In his talk, Comeback America: How America Can Get Back on Track, Mr. Walker shared his extensive experience as the U.S. Government’s chief auditor and his advocacy for addressing fiscal and sustainability challenges. The talk was streamed live on northeastsportsnetwork.com.

Prior to his Norwich visit, Walker was interviewed on Vermont Public Radio’s All Things Considered.

AUSA Conference Six Norwich University cadets and their advisor represented NU’s Army ROTC Battalion at the Annual Association of the United States Army Conference, in Washington D.C., Oct. 3-8, 2009. Pictured is C/LTC Andrew Gendron ’10 and C/SSG Patrick O’Neill ’11, with Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Frank Vanecek (at far left), placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

Alumni Host International Students Over Thanksgiving Break

Imagine being a foreign exchange student attending university thousands of miles from your country of origin, and not being able to return home when school closed for vacation. Fortunately for international students attending Norwich, there is a better option. This fall, the International Student Programs Office added Norwich Global Opportunities (NGO) to its already generous slate of offerings. Among other activities, the program allows Norwich alumni to host international students who lack the financial means to make the trip home during breaks in the academic year. Organized by Jenifer Hasenfus, international student advisor and study abroad coordinator, NGO got off the ground this past November when Taiwanese students Li-Chuan Hsu and Wei-Neng Yang spent Thanksgiving break with NU alumnus Wilbur “Yank” Shugg ‘68 and his wife, Jane.

The Shuggs, who live in Newtown, Conn., treated Li-Chuan and Yang to far more than a Thanksgiving dinner. The four traveled by train to New York City, where, among other sights, they took in the United Nations and the Statue of Liberty. “It was fun and educational for all involved,” said Shugg. At the opposite end of the spectrum, the students visited an alpaca farm in Pawlet, Vt. belonging to Shugg’s classmate, Barry Meinerth ‘68. After a tour of the farm, Meinerth prepared an American-style barbeque on his deck overlooking the mountains of southern Vermont. In the spirit of reciprocity, the students prepared a sumptuous Taiwanese dinner in the Shuggs’ home, and taught some Chinese words to a class of fourth-graders at the elementary school in Ridgefield where Jane is a reading specialist.

When the week ended, the Shuggs were truly sorry to have to say goodbye to their newfound friends. “It was such a treat for us to be able to host the boys,” said Yank. “I can’t wait to do it again soon.”

To learn more about NGO and how to become a host family, visit www.alumni.norwich.edu.

Norwich cadets Li-Chuan Hsu (second from left) and Wei-Neng Yang (far right), both from Taiwan, spent Thanksgiving Break with Yank Shugg ‘68. The three are pictured at the USMA with three West Point cadets, also from Taiwan.

Looking for more news?

Visit www.norwich.edu and

www.alumni.norwich.edu

www.norwich.edu Norwich University Record/Winter 2010 7

I N TH E N E WS

Professors Promote Multi-disciplined Approach to Sustainable LivingIn October 2009, three Norwich University professors brought home the reality that creating a society that uses less energy will take talent and foresight from many disciplines.

Representatives from Norwich’s architecture, engineering and business schools came together to describe innovative ideas, needs and initiatives for making a more sustainable lifestyle possible. It was part of Norwich’s annual celebration of faculty scholarship, held in the Kreitzberg Library, which featured a week of lunchtime presentations from Norwich instructors.

Prof. Danny Sagan from the School of Art and Architecture touched on issues of insulation, materials, employing new energy sources, and working in conjunction with natural conditions to improve buildings. Stephen Fitzhugh, electrical and computer engineering professor from the David Crawford School of Engineering, focused on concepts of “smart” grids and metering, describing a future when the electrical supply, buildings and appliances work together to use energy effi-ciently. Prof. Michael Puddicombe, dean of the School of Busi-ness and Management, addressed financing, and how business can foster the innovation and manufacturing necessary for green development.

A video produced by the Norwich University Office of Commu-nications showing highlights from the presentation may be viewed at www.norwich.edu/about/news/2009/121809-greenSpeeches.html.

To Hell and Back NU Students, Alumni Compete in Arduous Death RaceBy Dirk Van Susteren, correspondent, Norwich University Office of CommunicationsPreviously published Oct. 16, 2009 on www.norwich.edu

Searching for a way to describe the Vermont Death Race in Pittsfield, Vt., Peter Bue, 20, a Norwich University cadet, kept it simple. “It was a blast,” he said.

The same question put to fellow student Chris Prybella, 22, brought a very different reply. “You have to be insane to do it.”

The two cadets were among a half-dozen students and a few alumni from Norwich who competed in the third-annual Death Race in June 2009. Long, arduous tests of endurance are nothing new to group members, who have trained, encouraged, traded information and commiserated with one another through a number of jaw-drop-ping events. This ordeal, however, justifiably bills itself as one of the country’s toughest, if not most sadistic, endurance challenges. “It is the hardest thing I have ever done,” said Prybella, of Philadelphia. “It is torture; it is like going to hell and back.”

The race this year took members of the informally-organized group up hills, along rocky paths, through streams, under barbed

wire, and even along the bottom of a pond. Participants at various times carried buckets of rocks, a tree stump they had dug from the earth and a bicycle frame. Participants are forewarned the race may take 24 hours; that they will sweat, scream and cry, and probably wouldn’t finish.

The co-winner of this year’s Death Race—which attracted some 60 participants, about a quarter of whom finished—was 2009 NU grad Thomas Worthington, 22, now a U.S. Marine second lieutenant at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia. He too chose the word “blast” to describe the race, but also said, “Most people can’t grasp how difficult this can be.”

Worthington staggered over the finish line after 11 hours and 32 minutes with Richard Lee, a British Royal Marine. The two crossed paths at the top of a hill in the final segment of the race and, in the spirit of Semper Fi, crossed the finish line together.

The race trail is only ten miles, but along the way there are surprise tests of strength, comprehension and resourcefulness. At one station, athletes had to quarter 20 logs using an ax they carried. At another, they had to memorize and recite the first 10 U.S. presi-dents. Those who messed up had a long run back to relearn the names. At another stop they had to light a fire using a single match, cook an egg and eat it.

They clambered from station to station, never knowing how they would be tested next.

For Worthington and Prybella, a pond presented the toughest challenge. Participants were instructed to dive for bicycle chains that had been removed from bikes they were carrying. The chains, in plastic bags, were tossed into 10 feet of water still cold from spring snowmelt. “I made nine attempts in 45-degree water, and was on the verge of hypothermia, and was about to give up,” confessed Prybella. In what was to be his final attempt he spotted the chain. “It was like a miracle,” he said.

Worthington was so cold his body started seizing up. He had great difficulty putting the chain on his bike. “Man, that was really horrible! I was frustrated; it was such an easy task made so difficult by conditions,” he said.

Once chains were on, competitors rode the bikes for just a few moments, then put them in a nearby shed. There would be no coasting downhill.

The Norwich competitors, all ultra-marathon athletes, have an unofficial coach and mentor in history professor Rowland Brucken, himself an ultra-marathoner. There is a bond among these extreme athletes, and they come to him for advice and inspiration.

Brucken said he would consider the Death Race daunting. “This is unlike anything I’ve seen, and I’ve done 50- and 100-mile races,” he said. “I can’t imagine going into this race and not knowing what you will have to do.” Brucken said athletes who compete at this level share four qualities: a high threshold for pain; mental discipline; a sense of adventure, and a sense of humor. “You have to know that there certainly are more important things in life and that what you are doing really is silly. That helps you deal with the downsides.”

Bue resorted to some silliness, singing Jimmy Buffet songs along the route, he said.

Cadets said endurance tests like the Death Race have career applications. “A big part of being in the military is being physically fit,” said Worthington. “I am not yet in a leadership position, but when I lead men in combat, I want to be the best Marine I can, and being physically fit is a big part of that.”

Brucken, when asked how anyone could consider the Death Race “a blast,” added another trait extreme athletes share. “They have short-term memory loss.”

For more about the Death Race, including photos, videos and information about participation, visit www.peakraces.com/deathrace/.

Norwich Cadet Chris Prybella splits wood. It was one of many tests of body and will he underwent during the Death Race endurance contest in June 2009. Photo by Caleb Kenna.

Norwich Corps and Civilian Grads:It’s Never Too Late

to Order a Class Ring!

Does your Class Ring need repairs, servicing or replacement?

Do you need to adjust the size? Did you not order one

as a student, but would like to own one now?

For more information, visit www.alumni.norwich.edu/classrings, email us at nuring@norwich.edu, or

call the Alumni Office at 1.877.485.2019.

8 Norwich University Record/Winter 2010 www.alumni.norwich.edu

S PO RTS U P DATE

George Commo: The Voice of Norwich HockeyFor the past twelve years, George Commo has been broadcasting Norwich men’s ice hockey games live from Kreitzberg Arena. Here, in his own words, are his reflections on more than a decade of Norwich hockey and what it means to the fans in Central Vermont.

RECORD: What has the addition of Kreitzberg Arena done for Norwich hockey?COMMO: It’s one of the more attractive facilities in Division III hockey anywhere—it ranks right up there with Division I facilities—so it has given Norwich a huge boost when it comes to recruiting players. That’s the number one thing. Number two, it’s really given them increased visibility in Central Vermont. It gives Central Vermont their own building that they can rally around, and a great place to come, and comfortably sit, and watch a hockey game, and I think that’s been a big part of the huge attendance boost and the big support boost they’ve gotten since the building’s been there.

RECORD: What do you think sets Norwich hockey apart in the landscape of Vermont college hockey?COMMO: Well again, I think it’s a regional thing. It has become Central Vermont’s team. It’s a team that people in Barre and Northfield, and all the communities in that part of the world can kind of call their own.

RECORD: What are some of your most memorable Norwich hockey moments of the last twelve years?COMMO: Oh gosh, there’s so many. I guess as far as specific moments go, winning the first National Championship in 2000 when they went out to Superior, Wisconsin, and beat the home team, Wisconsin Superior in the semi-finals, and then won the championship game against Saint Thomas of Minnesota the next night. I think that sticks out as probably the number one memory. Most observers didn’t think Norwich would do well going out to play in that part of the country—they proved that wrong. They came from behind to win the game in the semi-final—and it was just a very, very exciting experience. Number two would probably be winning the 2003 National Championship, and the way they did it. In the game against Trinity in the quarter-final round, Norwich trailed 4-1 going into the third period and came back and won the game. That was probably one of the most exciting games that I’ve ever broadcast. The other thing I think would just be the group of great, great players that have come through the Norwich program while I’ve been able to broadcast the games. Names like Mark Bellmare, and Kurtis McLean, and Keith Aucoin, and Rick Cleaver, and Nikita Kishirsky, just some really, really outstanding, talented hockey players who have put on the Norwich jersey, and being given the chance to cover them would be right up there as well.

RECORD: How would you describe the Norwich hockey experience to someone who had never watched a game in Kreitzberg Arena? COMMO: If somebody is not a college hockey fan per se they may not relate to the game. But I could maybe try to define it in other terms, especially for people who are away from Vermont, and maybe living in a part of the country where hockey isn’t such a big thing. It’s very similar to the experience that you get when you go to a college football game in a lot of parts of the country, or maybe even in some areas, very similar to what you see in a high school football game, because it’s very much a community event. Number one, there is a student section. They are loud, they are supportive, and there are more and more students making it to the games in the last couple years, which I think is a really good thing. But even when we have games at home and the students are away, we still get great, great support. I keep coming back around to the community thing. There’s great enthusiasm, great excitement. An old broadcast partner of mine years ago coined the phrase, the “Kreitzberg Krazies” to try to define what the fans are like. They get into it. They support the team very, very loudly, and it really does give the team a big advan-tage when they’re playing at home.

RECORD: What do you enjoy the most about your role in bringing Norwich hockey alive for listeners, both at the games wearing their headsets, and at home?COMMO: That’s a very key thing, because the actual signal from our radio station has a hard time getting inside for people to listen to, so we have a portable transmitter system we use to rebroadcast the signal inside the building. That wasn’t operating for the first four home games of the year, and it was amazing to us how many people came by and said, “Hey, what’s the matter? Why can’t we hear you?” That’s just kind of testimony to us of what an important part of what’s going on there we are. And that makes us feel really good. We finally got it back up and oper-ating last night, and the first thing I did as we started to broadcast was I said, “Okay all you folks out there listening, now that we’re back inside, can you hear us?” and people were waving and jumping up and down all around the arena, and it was kind of exciting. The thing we enjoy the most is that our fans enjoy what it is we do. Fans, if they make it to the game, they bring head-sets and they listen to you, and if they can’t make it to the game, you become their vehicle for connecting with what’s going on. So while I’m never for a second going to say that we’re a part of the team, we are at the same time kind of the fans connection to the team, and that’s probably the part that’s most enjoyable, just the fact that we provide a conduit for people to keep close to the team and to keep close to what’s going on.

RECORD: Obviously the team has a distinct home ice advantage, between the atmosphere at Kreitzberg, the support of the community, the large ice surface that they’re used to, and the quality of the ice that they’re used to, but, you get to travel to away games as well. You get to see the team perform in a variety of rinks and a variety of atmospheres. Can you offer any insight as to how Coach McShane gets the most out of his players regardless of where they play?

COMMO: Mike has been at this a very long time and he, for lack of a better phrase, knows the proper buttons to push at the proper times. Sometimes you have to crack the whip and other times have to kind of pat the guys on the back and coddle them along. It takes a veteran coach, and whether you’re at home or on the road, you need to do that. Last night Norwich did not play a good second period against Saint Michael’s. They took some bad penalties, gave up a couple of goals, and I am sure the whip was brought out and cracked properly between the second and third periods, because they came out and they played very well. That’s part of it. The other thing is, whether Norwich is at home or on the road, I really think the amount of support that they know they have from the Norwich community has a lot to do with it. It’s amazing how many times we go on the road, and there are more Norwich fans than there are fans of the other team. People from the Blue Line Club are just tremendous, going on the road with the team and supporting them. And alumni and fans all over the Northeast—wherever we land for a game, wherever we end up, the alumni groups have either organized gatherings or the fans just come out on their own. But they’re always there, and that’s a big part of the team’s success, knowing that wherever they go, they are considered a big-time program with big-time support, and I really think, along with coach pushing the right buttons, that really helps them to get the job done, going into what you normally think of as a hostile environment.

RECORD: You just participated in some of the festivities over the past weekend celebrating one hundred years of Norwich hockey. Can you reflect a little bit on the tradition of hockey at Norwich and how that affects the team today?COMMO: Just the fact that it’s been around for one hundred years is amazing in and of itself. If you think about it, how many things have been around, how many organizations, how many activities have been around for a hundred years? It’s pretty mind-boggling when you look at it from that perspective. I think the thing that impressed me the most with the ceremonies this weekend, and really impresses me all the time, is the amount of support that Norwich gets from its hockey alumni. If Mike McShane, or the coaching staff, or Tony Mariano, the athletic director—if they need something, if they need work from alums, or support in any sense, the Norwich alums are just so, so supportive in everything that they do. Once you have played hockey at Norwich, you are a Norwich hockey player forever. The Norwich Forever slogan really, really lives among the hockey alumni, because they are deeply committed to making sure that their program continues to be what it has always been. There have been seasons going back through the years when maybe things have not gone as well—the won-loss record has not been what coaches or teams or players would have wanted to see—but when you go down through the overall legacy, the success has been great, and the building, and dedication of good young men and good teams has been very solid. I think you have to give credit to Coach Priestley, and on since then, coach Cahoun, and Coach Mariano, and Coach Cahill, and right on up through coach McShane, because the coaches build the atmosphere, they build that spirit within the team, and it lasts for so long. That’s what’s probably the most important thing about the tradi-tion, the most exciting and most emotionally rewarding thing you see out of the tradition that surrounds the program.

George Commo of WDEV, the voice of Cadets Hockey for the past 12 years.

www.norwich.edu Norwich University Record/Winter 2010 9

Forever StrongWomen’s Rugby to Compete in National Sweet Sixteen

F or the third time in four years, the Norwich Women’s Rugby team is headed to Nationals. In November they swept their conference by defeating the likes of Harvard, Rutgers, Dartmouth, and Stonehill, and earned a berth in the Eastern Final Sixteen tournament this April, where they are seeded first in the nation. This year, the tournament will be held in Sanford, Florida over the weekend of April 17 and 18. With a large alumni base in Florida, Norwich Coach Austin Hall hopes to get as many folks there as possible to build a strong cheering section. “The team loves playing in front of our

alumni,” Coach Hall says. “It provides them with extra inspi-ration to know that so many people with strong ties to the school are there to cheer them on.”

Hall is optimistic for his team’s chances. “This is one of the closest teams we have had in years—with great communica-tion and ball control supporting a very fast backfield,” says Hall. “This is also our third trip to Nationals in four years, so we are ripe for victory.”

Plans are underway to set up an alumni club event for the weekend, including a tailgate party at the tournament and a dinner. Anyone interested in participating should contact Maroon and Gold Athletic Coordinator Mike Stackus at 802.485.2903 or mstackus@norwich.edu, and keep an eye on the Events Calendar on the Norwich Online Community website: www.alumni.norwich.edu/events.

Fall Sports Wrap-upFOOTBALL finished the 2009 season with an eight-game win streak to capture the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) championship. The Cadets rolled through the league’s regular season with a perfect 6-0 record, and then defeated Mount Ida, 49-14 in the league’s inaugural championship game. NU freshman running back Orwin Etkins rushed for 269 yards and a program record five touchdowns en route to being named the game’s MVP. Etkins was recognized by the New England Football Writer’s Association the following week, as the Miramar, Fla., native became the first Cadet in 22 years to win the prestigious Golden Helmet Award. The eight wins recorded by the Cadets were the most since the 1984 squad won nine games. In addition to Etkins, a number of Cadets earned All-ECFC honors. Senior defensive end Reza Afsarmanesh was named the league’s “Defensive Player of the Year,” and freshman quarterback Kris Sabourin was named co-“Rookie of the Year.” Afsarmanesh, senior defensive back Donovan Brown, junior defensive lineman Zach Sucharski and junior linebacker Rocco DiMeco were all named to the all-league first team.

VOLLEYBALL forged another respectable season, authoring a 17-12 overall record and qualifying for the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament as the No. 7 seed. The Cadets were led all year long by senior outside hitter

Lisset Magdaleno, who led the team in kills and blocks, and was named All-GNAC first team for the second straight year. Junior setter Molly Rice, who led the team in assists for the third straight season, was a third-team all-conference selection.

MEN’S CROSS-COUNTRY authored yet another solid season, finishing runner-up at the GNAC Championships for a second consecutive year. Senior team co-captain John Pomeroy was named to the all-conference team after placing eighth at the GNAC meet. The Cadets sent several runners to the NCAA Regionals, where they competed very well.

WOMEN’S CROSS-COUNTRY put together a solid campaign, capped by a sixth-place showing at the GNAC Championships. Freshman Mallory Clark burst onto the scene, as the first-year runner led the Cadets to the finish line in six races. Junior team captain Jackie McElligott turned in a strong individual season as well, posting several Top 20 finishes.

MEN’S RUGBY continued to improve in just its second season competing at the varsity level. The Cadets, who finished with an overall record of 4-4, posted impressive victories over Brown and Williams. Norwich qualified for the league playoffs, where they dropped a heart-breaking 17-7 decision to Boston University.

WOMEN’S RUGBY put forth another terrific season this fall, posting a 15-3-1 overall record and winning the Northeast championship for the third time in the last four seasons. The Northeast title means that the Cadets will play in the NCAA playoffs in the spring. The Cadets finished league play and playoff action with an undefeated 11-0 mark.

MEN’S SOCCER came up just short in its bid to win back-to-back GNAC Tournament titles. The Cadets, who went 10-8-2 overall, fell to eventual champion St. Joseph’s (Maine) in the semifinals of the league tournament. Despite that loss, NU qualified for the ECAC Tournament as the No. 7 seed, where they were defeated by second-seeded Castleton State in the quarterfinals. Six players were named to the All-GNAC team, led by first-team pick Chris Rivet. Rivet, who posted five goals and six assists on the year, capped his brilliant four-year career as the program’s all-time leader in assists. Senior goalkeeper Charles Maxwell, who posted a 1.36 goals-against average this fall, and junior midfielder Roger Motaze, picked up second-team accolades. Senior midfielder Bobby Begin, who led the squad in goals (8) and points (17), was named to the All-GNAC third team, as were senior forward Jake Yaris and freshman defender Bridger Van Ness.

WOMEN’S SOCCER struggled in its bid to win back-to-back Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) titles, ending with an 8-10-1 overall record in 2009. The Cadets qualified for the GNAC Tournament as the No. 8 seed, but lost in the opening round to top-seeded St. Joseph’s (Maine). Norwich was led this season by junior midfielder Sarah Reuschel, who was named to the All-GNAC second team. Junior forward Nikki Szczepanski, who ranked second on the team in goals (8) and points (18), was named to the league’s third team. Senior midfielder Ashley Sanford was also selected to the All-GNAC third team after posting two assists this year. Freshman forward Brittany Casey burst onto the scene offensively, leading the club in goals (11), assists (5) and points (27).

S PO RTS U P DATE

We’re going to Disney World! The women’s rugby team captured the Northeast Championships and will travel to Sanford, Fla. (just north of Orlando) April 17 and 18, 2010, to compete in the Sweet Sixteen Eastern Final of USA Rugby’s Collegiate Division II National Championships. For information on alumni events taking place during the weekend, contact Maroon and Gold Athletic Coordinator Mike Stackus at 802.485.2903, or mstackus@norwich.edu, or visit www.alumni.norwich.edu/events. Ostler photo.

Save the date! September 10 & 11, 2010 For more information, visit www.alumni.norwich.edu

10 Norwich University Record/Winter 2010 www.alumni.norwich.edu

D E VE LO P M E NT & ALU M N I R E L AT I O N S

Chairman’s One Diamond Members($1,000,000 - $1,999,999)Mr. & Mrs. John L. Drew

One Star General Members($50,000 - $99,999)LTC Denise M. Donovan, USA (Ret.) ’81 Luther & Sally HackettChristopher Righter ’60Philip & Peg Soucy ’73Landers & Jennifer Symes ’87

Lifetime MembersLifetime Members($20,000 - $49,999)($20,000 - $49,999)Blaine & Robin Hawkins

New Lifetime Members, 1819 Circle Members and first time Annual Members are recognized in each issue of New Lifetime Members, 1819 Circle Members and first time Annual Members are recognized in each issue of all members are recognized in the Norwich University all members are recognized in the Norwich University Annual Report. These lists recognize gifts received and new memberAnnual Report. These lists recognize gifts received and new memberAnnual Report -ships granted between October 4, 2009 and November 23, 2009. For more information on the Partridge Society, please contact ships granted between October 4, 2009 and November 23, 2009. For more information on the Partridge Society, please contact Chrissie Eastman ‘90 at 802.485.2307 or email ceastman@norwich.edu. Chrissie Eastman ‘90 at 802.485.2307 or email ceastman@norwich.edu.

The Partridge Society Board of Directors welcomes the following new Lifetime The Partridge Society Board of Directors welcomes the following new Lifetime Members, and 1819 Circle Members:

Correction In the fall edition of the Record we inadvertently left out Record we inadvertently left out Record

Lynn Olmstead ’63 as a major sponsor of the Sabol and

Doyle Golf Tournaments. Lynn generously donated the

raffle prizes. Thank you to Lynn for his support!

Partridge Society Special Announcement

New Consecutive Giving SocietyGiving Society

We value each and every gift to Norwich University. We also believe that there are donors We value each and every gift to Norwich University. We also believe that there are donors whose consistent participation merits additional recognition. We are very pleased to introwhose consistent participation merits additional recognition. We are very pleased to intro-duce a new recognition society to honor those dedicated members of the Norwich commuduce a new recognition society to honor those dedicated members of the Norwich commu-nity who give each and every year without fail. nity who give each and every year without fail.

The Consecutive Giving Society provides special acknowledgement to long-term donors, and The Consecutive Giving Society provides special acknowledgement to long-term donors, and brings distinction to those individuals who support Norwich University through sustained brings distinction to those individuals who support Norwich University through sustained annual giving.

We want to make it clear to all supporters of Norwich that it is not the size of your gift or We want to make it clear to all supporters of Norwich that it is not the size of your gift or where your gift is made that is most important. What is most important is that you give. We where your gift is made that is most important. What is most important is that you give. We want you to know that want you to know that every gift does matter every year.

The inaugural event for this exciting new society will be held during Homecoming 2010. The inaugural event for this exciting new society will be held during Homecoming 2010. Those who already meet the criteria for inclusion will receive their pins throughout the Those who already meet the criteria for inclusion will receive their pins throughout the coming year. Recognition in this society includes:coming year. Recognition in this society includes:

• Special recognition in the Special recognition in the Annual Report. • A unique Partridge Society pin upon your quinquennial anniversaries of consecutive years A unique Partridge Society pin upon your quinquennial anniversaries of consecutive years

of giving, and a more significant recognition upon reaching 20 years of consecutive giving.of giving, and a more significant recognition upon reaching 20 years of consecutive giving.• The knowledge that you are supporting the mission, values and traditions upon which The knowledge that you are supporting the mission, values and traditions upon which

Norwich University was founded in 1819, the greatest benefit of membership. Norwich University was founded in 1819, the greatest benefit of membership.

If you have not yet developed the habit of consistent giving, start by making If you have not yet developed the habit of consistent giving, start by making that first gift toward your Consecutive Giving Society membership today! that first gift toward your Consecutive Giving Society membership today!

If you have not yet developed the habit of consistent giving, start by making that first gift toward your Consecutive Giving Society membership today!

If you have not yet developed the habit of consistent giving, start by making If you have not yet developed the habit of consistent giving, start by making that first gift toward your Consecutive Giving Society membership today!

If you have not yet developed the habit of consistent giving, start by making

Please contact the Development Office with questions that first gift toward your Consecutive Giving Society membership today!

Please contact the Development Office with questions that first gift toward your Consecutive Giving Society membership today!

or to make a gift at 802.485.2307.Please contact the Development Office with questions

or to make a gift at 802.485.2307.Please contact the Development Office with questions

Job-hunting Tips for Alumni Job-hunting Tips for Alumni Job-hunting Tips for

Recent graduates are not the only alumni looking for work. These days, even well-seasoned professionals may find R These days, even well-seasoned professionals may find Rthemselves in a job search. For some, it may have been a long time since their last job search. Here are some reminders from the Career Development Center about where and how to look for work, and how to make the most of your “Norwich connection.”

1 Log in to the Norwich online community (OLC) at www. alumni.norwich.edu. On the opening page, scroll down to 1 alumni.norwich.edu. On the opening page, scroll down to 1Career Center. Click on “find a mentor.” Once you are on the search page, type in your desired location in the “city” section, or your desired location in the “state” section. Leave all the other boxes empty, then press “search” at the bottom.

If alumni meeting these criteria have volunteered to be a mentor, their name and contact information will pop up. Click on the names of those grads offering assistance, and start an e-mail discussion to see if they would be willing to help shep-herd your resume to their hiring manager or other appropriate person. We suggest using the location searches so that you may be able to meet face-to-face with other alumni in your area. If you prefer, you can also filter the mentor volunteers by way of occupation or industry, which may be particularly helpful if you are willing to relocate.

2 Still on the alumni.norwich.edu site, be sure to post your resume and review posted jobs. Also; click on “Career 2 resume and review posted jobs. Also; click on “Career 2Center” in the left column, then “Alumni Resources,” then “Useful Links.” In the Useful Links section, scroll down to “Job Search Engines” and click on links that seem interesting and appropriate. Also check out local TV and radio stations, as many of them are starting various programs to tell listeners about job openings due to the difficult economic times.

Be sure to read the Alumni Job Search Tool Kit, a comprehen-sive “how to” resource, graciously provided to Norwich by alumnus Robert Wolfenden ’79.

3 Join the Norwich University Alumni Association’s LinkedIn group: a professional networking site established by and 3 group: a professional networking site established by and 3for NU alumni to help with job and other professional informa-tion. The essence of this site is to “Hire Norwich First!”

4 Read trade journals for your industry to see which compa- nies are advertising. They are the ones to go after. If the ad 4 nies are advertising. They are the ones to go after. If the ad 4says “Sacramento,” don’t assume that is the only location. Go online and find out what other positions and what other loca-tions may also be available.

5 Contact the NU Club president (alumni.norwich.edu/clubs) in your area, and attend their next meeting to network 5 in your area, and attend their next meeting to network 5face-to-face.

6 Consider a temp agency and an employment agency to get your foot in the door at a company of interest. Once 6 get your foot in the door at a company of interest. Once 6the employer sees the high quality of your work, you may be asked to stay on permanently and, while there, it is easier to access other employment opportunities at the company.If you are currently working in a position where you are able to offer employment or provide leads to other alumni, please do so by logging onto www.alumni.norwich.edu. Click on “Career Center” in the left column, then “Employer Resources” on the next page. Remember: “Hire Norwich First!”

For questions, comments, ideas, leads or assistance, contact the Career Development Center at careers@norwich.edu or call us at 802.485.2125.

Here is one way to come inside the circle...Establish a Charitable Gift Annuity

Benefits include:• Helping Norwich

• Guaranteed income for life

• Risk-free, smart investment

•Tax benefits

Compare current CD rates with an annuity through Norwich!!

Current CD Annual Rate

6 Month 1.10%

1 Year 1.58%

5 Years 2.92%

Age NU Annuity Payout Rate

60 5.0%

70 5.7%

80 7.1%

For more information about these gift vehicles or other gift options, please contact Jessica Dunkel ’02, Planned Giving Officer, at 802.485.2328 or jdunkel@norwich.edu.

The 1819 Circle

www.norwich.edu Norwich University Record/Winter 2010 11

D E VE LO P M E NT & ALU M N I R E L AT I O N S

The “Heart of Carolina” Club: a Model of ExcellenceBy Charlie O’Neil ’94

Thanks to the efforts of some passionate Norwich alumni, North Carolina is turning maroon and gold. Despite being nearly 1,000 miles from the Hill, alumni in the Tar Heel State have managed to create one of the most successful NU Clubs in the country. T miles from the Hill, alumni in the Tar Heel State have managed to create one of the most successful NU Clubs in the country. T“I’ve worked closely with our alumni in the area to build the club over the past year and am incredibly proud and excited of what they’ve accomplished; they truly do it all,” says Allison Sultan, Assistant Director of Alumni and Family Relations for Clubs and Events.

Sultan, who coordinates nearly 60 NU Clubs and 250 club events around the world every year, says the North Carolina Club has become a model of excellence in a very short time. “In just twelve short months, the Heart of Carolina Club has planned and executed an unbelievable number of activities that support the Norwich mission,” says Sultan. In 2009, the Club held its first Student Sendoff, attracting more than 90 people, including alumni from throughout the state and all 14 incoming freshmen. The event was attended by VP for Enrollment and Communications Karen McGrath who immediately recognized the potential of the Carolinas. “North Carolina is a strategic market for Norwich” says McGrath. “The number of students from this region who are considering Norwich is growing rapidly, and the involvement of our alumni is critical to Norwich’s success.”

In addition to the sendoff, the club hosted several other events, including a golf social with PGA golfer and NU alumnus Allen Doyle ’71, a cocktail reception with Presi-dent Schneider, and a Norwich Night Out at the ballpark with the Durham Bulls. Alumni also rallied to represent Norwich at more than a dozen regional college fairs. All this helped the organization reach Signature Club status, the top tier for NU Clubs worldwide.

Art Yando ’62, president of the Heart of Carolina Club, speaks candidly of his reasons for starting a club, and what he did to get it going. “I knew I wanted to pay the school back in some way for all that it enabled me to do,” says Yando, who enlisted the help of fellow NU

grads Peter Fisher ’69, Phil Tetraught ’89, and Tom Walton ’88 to form the club’s nucleus and get the ball rolling. “The four of us shared the responsibility of establishing the club and deciding where we would focus our energy,” he says. Yando and his team decided that one primary area of focus would be in recruiting. “North Carolina sits right in the middle between The Citadel and The Virginia Military Institute,” he says. “We weren’t okay with giving up potential students to those two schools, so we decided to claim North Carolina as Norwich territory.”

Yando focused on identifying college fairs in the state where Norwich didn’t already have a presence, and enlisted the help of local alumni to represent NU. “It was easy. All the people I contacted agreed to help right away, and most of them have already offered to do it again next year.” NU alumni living in North Carolina attended 14 college fairs and collected information on more than 200 potential students for the Admissions Office. “The enthusiasm was incredible,” says McGrath, “and the local knowledge made all the difference. Having feet on the ground in the high schools resulted in the Norwich message being heard at 14 college fairs we wouldn’t have known about otherwise.” Not one to rest on his laurels, Yando is looking forward to next year by targeting even more schools that fit the Norwich model.

According to McGrath, high school guidance counselors don’t invite colleges to fairs unless they have attended in the past, there-fore Norwich depends on its alumni to help identify new fairs, especially in key markets. “This is a great example of the impact that a handful of dedicated alumni can have on enrollment and retention,” says McGrath. “The NC Club chose to partner very closely with the Norwich Ambassador Program to identify and attend college fairs where prospective Norwich students are most likely to be in attendance. They provided on-the-ground intelligence that has allowed Norwich to improve its programs and make a larger impact by extending our admissions staff to areas where we wouldn’t normally have a strong presence.”

A crucial part of the overall NU admissions strategy, the Ambassador Program has been around for more than fifteen years. “Anyone who is passionate about Norwich can be an ambassador,” says Eddie Habeck ’99, associate director of Admissions and manager of the Norwich Ambassador Program. “Alumni, friends of the University, and especially parents all make great ambassadors and have a huge impact with recruiting and spreading the Norwich message.” What many do not know about the program is the tremendous amount of flexibility ambassadors have in how they choose to participate. “There are several ways to get involved, with varying levels of time commitment, and we’re willing to work within your schedule,” says Habeck. For example, admissions ambassadors might:

• Identify and attend college fairs in your area and spread the word about Norwich. • Adopt a high school in your area. Make visits, talk to guidance counselors and deliver materials. • Reach out to students in your area that have been accepted but have not made a final decision to attend.

There are currently more than 180 admissions ambassadors in the U.S. and overseas. Most of the time, orientation is done over the phone or via email. “The only requirement is that you love Norwich,” says Habeck. “We’ll do the rest by providing everything needed to deliver the message.” In 2009, Norwich ambassadors attended 78 college fairs, 25 more than the previous year. While volunteers are needed all around the world, there are key areas of focus where ambassadors make the biggest impact: Colorado, Arizona, Florida, Texas and North Carolina.

If you’d like to learn more about the NU Ambassador Program, please contact Eddie Habeck ’99 at ehabeck@norwich.edu, or visit www.norwich.edu/admissions/ambassadors, read the information, and submit your application. For more information visit www.norwich.edu/admissions/ambassadors, read the information, and submit your application. For more information visit www.norwich.edu/admissions/ambassadors, read the information, and submit your application. For more information on the Heart of Carolina or other NU clubs in your area, please visit www.alumni.norwich.edu/clubs.

Norwich Night Out at the ballpark with the Durham Bulls. Pictured (l-r): Phil Tetreault ‘88, Art Yando ‘62, Peter Fisher ‘69 Mike Angeli ‘75 & Paul Agrillo ‘71.

Call toaCtion!

Are you willing to help a Norwich student?

Do you remember what it was like to find your first job? You probably didn’t have any real experience, yet every job advertised was looking for someone with experience—the old catch 22, right?

How did you finally land your first job? Was it by trial and error?

Did you take the first thing that came along? Were you simply flying by the seat

of your pants?

Certainly, you eventually landed a job, but wouldn’t it have been so much easier if there had been another Norwich grad (or ten, or twenty) to help you network?

Now is the time—the call to action—to help our Norwich students!

In this economy, students need as much assis-tance as they can find. And it’s easy to find on the Norwich Online Community (OLC).

Want to help? It only takes a couple of minutes to register and can make a world of difference to a student seeking an internship (the only way to get that elusive “experience!”) or full-time employment. Simply log in to the OLC at www.alumni.norwich.edu. Scroll down to the Career Center section. Under the Norwich Career P.L.A.N. (Professional Learning and Advisory Network), click on “Update Your Profile.” This is where you will be able to create your business WebCard, volunteer to be a mentor, and much more. There are almost 1,000 mentors already online and willing to make a difference to a Norwich student!

If you prefer to mail us your business card, we will gladly add you to the mentoring list. Just drop your business card in an envelope and send it to: Career Center, 158 Harmon Drive, Northfield, VT 05663. You, too, can help to

“Hire Norwich First!”

Joe or Jane Alum

Your business contact information here.

12 Norwich University Record/Winter 2010 www.alumni.norwich.edu

My friends warned me that the fight would be rough...but I was unprepared for the intensity of the battle. There were 400 …cadets hurling eggs, bags of flour, and practice grenades (yes, the exploding kind!) at each other! I swear it was the closest to combat I’ve ever been. As if the egg tossing wasn’t enough, both sides charged each other in a free-for-all climax. It wasn’t pretend playtime either. This was a full-on brawl that resulted in busted lips and black eyes. The object was to steal the other side’s colors. Can you imagine this kind of thing happening at Norwich?

Such are the words CPT Matthew Apostol, USA ’05 uses to describe the reenactment of the Battle of Austerlitz1, which takes place every year at L’École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr. It is only one of many traditions that Captain Apostol took part in while an exchange student in France in 2004. For Apostol, experiencing the history and traditions of another military culture was the highlight of his semester abroad. “It was really interesting for me to see how another army trains and operates,” he says.

A history major while enrolled at Norwich, Apostol says his world view was further broadened by the Saint-Cyr curriculum, which includes courses in international relations, foreign policy and government. “The academics alone made me a lot more aware of how the world operates, how other governments operate and cooperate…I think a lot of education in the U.S. tends to focus solely on the U.S., but in other countries, where cooperation [between countries] is a lot more prevalent, it is important to be aware of other countries’ capabilities, of their history, and of conflicts around the world.”

The experience also gave Captain Apostol a whole new appreciation for the French Army. “Their capabilities and strengths are much greater than most people give them credit for. The French...are great militarily and have a very modern army, and they have some great officers and NCOs as well.”

Origins of the Saint-Cyr – NU Exchange Norwich has been sending cadets to L’École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr, a prestigious military academy and one of France’s Grandes Écoles, since 1999. Often described as the “French West Point,” the school was founded by Napoleon in Paris in 1802, but since World War II has been located at Coetquidan in rural Britanny.

After about a month of intensive language instruction in Grenoble in the south of France, Norwich cadets typically spend 15 weeks at the ESM, taking part in the same activities, classes and military exercises as the Saint-Cyriens—cadets who already hold the equivalent of U.S. bach-elor’s degrees and are on a three-year commissioning track. For Norwich, West Point, and VMI cadets, the course of study is modified to account for the difference in the preparation level of a U.S. cadet versus a Saint-Cyr cadet. Thanks to recent efforts, civilian students now also have the opportunity to participate in this exchange program.

The brainchild of Norwich University French professor Dr. Frances Sikola Chevalier, the NU–St-Cyr exchange was launched after years of preparation and hard work. “On several occasions over a period of years, [we] met with and were interviewed by the French consul, the cultural attaché, the linguistic attaché, and the military attaché,” Chevalier explains. “Our students of

French impressed our French visitors and gave them tours of the campus. It was quite an under-taking at the time.” In addition, Norwich international student and French-speaking Ivory Coast native Jean-Marc Koumoué ’99, now the United Nations’ special envoy to Haiti, was instrumental in helping spark the interest of the French Consulate in this project. All these efforts culminated with President Schneider and Dr. Chevalier traveling to Saint-Cyr in 1998 to sign a contract offi-cially establishing the exchange.

Richard Kocher ’00, now a program manager at Microsoft, was the first NU student to take part in the exchange, thus, he had no idea what to expect when he arrived at Saint-Cyr in the winter of 1999. To his surprise, he found the military culture to be quite familiar. “You think that you’re going to be immersed in this entirely different alien kind of thing, but after maybe the first three weeks it felt familiar—the camaraderie, the way all the guys treated each other—it was just the same.” Kocher also found the Saint-Cyriens’ motivation for commissioning to be no different from that of his fellow Americans. “It’s the same as in the U.S.—they were joining because they want to serve their country.”

For Derek Rondeau ’09, the transition was not so smooth. “That first month there I was just blown away, trying to absorb everything,” says Rondeau, now stationed at Ft Benning, Ga. Saint-Cyr classes are conducted in French, and regardless of their native tongue, students of all nationalities are required to take notes and write papers in French. Rondeau says he relied heavily on his binôme—second-year students assigned to mentor first-year students—to help him. “Every night I would go to Philippe’s room with my notebook and ask, ‘Aidez-moi, s’il vous plaît,’ Help me,” says Rondeau. “He would spend hours with me going over my papers.”

Although Rondeau initially found the French language daunting, he quickly acclimated to the culture, noting many similarities between the traditions of the two schools. “We have our junior ring. They have their plume. It comes from a poem about an angel. She came down from heaven and plucked one of her feathers and healed a Saint-Cyr soldier. That is their acceptance—their Saint-Cyr emblem—and probably the most prized posses-sion they have.” And like Junior Ring, the plumes are presented with much pomp and formality. “The actual ceremony is amazing,” says Rondeau. “They get down on one knee; they put their right hand on their right knee. All the deuxièmes—second battalion cadets—come over and place the hats on the cadet; they stand up; they take their swords out, and they salute. There’s fireworks, and there is a formal ball.”

“I’m not only a Norwich cadet, I’m also a Saint-Cyr cadet.” ~ Derek Rondeau ’09

The French Connection, Part II: Brothers-in-Arms By Robyn O. Greene

Cadets of the 2004-2007 class (“Lieutenant Brunbrouck”) of the ESM Saint-Cyr during the Bastille Day 2007 military parade on the Champs-Élysées. Photo by Marie-Lan Nguyen/Wikimedia Commons.

Matthew Apostol ‘09 (left) and his binôme with colors after the Battle of Austerlitz reenactment. Photo courtesy of Matthew Apostol.

www.norwich.edu Norwich University Record/Winter 2010 13

Living History Also like Norwich, some of the education at Saint-Cyr occurs outside the classroom. Parts of France, for centuries ravaged by a series of wars, offer plenty of opportunity for studying history where it actually occurred. Rondeau describes one course titled histoire de tactique, the equivalent of a series of U.S. Army staff rides. “Every other weekend a major or captain takes you to a battle site, and you don’t necessarily re-enact it, but [the instructors will] say, ‘this is where Alpha Company…this is where Bravo Company…this is how the battle played out,’ and you’ll study the tactics,” Rondeau says. “They would get French generals, or French colonels to come down, that specialize in either armor, or infantry tactics, or even a particular battle. We spent an entire weekend in Verdun going over World War I and World War II battles...that was my favorite course.”

In addition to staff rides, every first-year cadet at the ESM participates in Le Bayoutage, an introduction to the role of Saint-Cyriens in wars throughout their history. In each instance, the instructors attempt to recreate the conditions that the French endured. Rondeau recalls one cold November night in particular, when he and his fellow cadets learned about World War I trench warfare. “We were wading through waist-deep to neck-deep freezing cold, swampy water, with our rifles above our heads,” Rondeau says. “They’ve got cannons, artillery rounds going off, and they’d stop us at certain points, and they’d read excerpts from the diaries of one French soldier, or one French lieutenant, or a French capitaine.” Over the course of eight weeks Le Bayoutage traces the sacrifices and heroics of French soldiers beginning with Napoleon. “The very first night they took us to the statue of Napoleon. They read his creed, and they read about the national army that he created, and how he founded the school,” Rondeau recalls. “They read about how the school was originally in Paris, and then it got moved after World War II. They move all throughout history all the way up to Afghanistan.”

An American (Thanksgiving) in Paris When not attending classes or participating in military training, Saint-Cyr students are free to do as they please. On weekends when there weren’t staff rides, Cadet Apostol took advantage of Europe’s small size to visit four other countries in the European Union by train; Rondeau and fellow Norwich Cadet Victoria Wilson ’09 celebrated Thanksgiving at the United States Embassy in Paris with former U.S. Ambassador Craig Stapleton; and Cadet Kocher skied in the Alps with German, Swedish and Dutch friends he met in Grenoble. “I would take the train and go hang out with them on the weekends,” Kocher says. “They were my family away from home.” Major Michael McGurk, USA, an early contact of Dr. Chevalier’s during her first visit to the ESM, has assisted Norwich cadets over the years with practical matters, and continues to do so now that he is assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Paris. He made the Thanksgiving dinner invitation to the ambassador’s home in Paris possible.

Benefits of a Saint-Cyr Education One of the benefits to Norwich students of spending a semester at Saint-Cyr is that they return fluent in French, a skill that, according to Dr. Chevalier, serves them extremely well in their future professional careers. “Many students study abroad in programs that offer courses only in English. In programs like the one at the ESM, our students study side by side with native speakers in their own language,” Chevalier explains. “This provides an insider’s view unavailable to monolingual English speakers. And it’s not just the fluency in the language that is developed—cross-cultural proficiency and learning how to communicate with people of different cultures at a deeper level is also an achieved result.”

Cadet George Rouson, who returned from Saint-Cyr this past January, said that integrating himself into the French way of life gave him an unparalleled opportunity to learn the real meaning of diplomacy. “It forced me to experience a different culture and a different way of life without bringing my biases,” Rouson explains. “It wasn’t my country, so it wasn’t my job to do that. We’re not trying to build relations with people to make them like us, we are trying to build relations with people based on who they are. This experience has set me up for success in life.”

Kocher, who has traveled extensively since his first trip to France in 1999, sums up the value of his study abroad experience this way. “I work for a multi-national, really large software company. I deal with a lot of issues that happen overseas. To have that over-seas perspective, that cultural sensitivity, you definitely need to go abroad and communicate with people in their native language. I don’t care what your major is, everyone should go abroad for a semester. It’s just an enriching experience, and it’s very relevant to what’s going on today.”

Fluency in a second language aside, perhaps the greatest benefit Norwich students take away from their Saint-Cyr experience is the lifelong bond they form with their fellow Saint-Cyr cadets. From the moment they set foot on French soil, the Americans are embraced by their hosts as true compatriots. “We are all brothers now. I’m not only a Norwich cadet, I’m also a Saint-Cyr cadet,” says Rondeau. Apostol, now a company commander also at Ft Benning, keeps in touch with several of the Saint-Cyriens he met who are now officers in the French Army. “I was stationed in Germany for the last three years, and I was able to visit them a couple of times. We’ll be friends for life.” Rouson, who will graduate from Norwich next year, agrees. “When I left I felt as though I was leaving my family. If I could have stayed I would have.”

For more information on the Saint-Cyr exchange, visit http://www.norwich.edu/stcyr/index.html.

1 Battle of Austerlitz (also known as the “Battle of the Three Emperors”): One of Napoleon Bonaparte’s greatest victories, effectively destroying the Third Coalition against the French Empire. On December 2, 1805, a French army, commanded by Emperor Napoleon I, decisively defeated the Russo-Austrian army of Tsar Alexander I and Emperor Francis I of Austria, after nearly nine hours of difficult fighting. Widely regarded as a tactical master-piece, the battle took place near Austerlitz (‘Slavkov’), about six miles southeast of Brno in Moravia.

Why French?French proficiency at the advanced level is a useful asset to Norwich graduates interested in a military career dealing with international peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, and military operations with multi-national forces, or, in a civilian career in federal government agencies, business, technology, agricul-ture, research or industry. Below are a few of the reasons why:

F French is the only language other than English spoken on five continents. French and English are the only two global languages.

F The French have nearly 15,000 troops on peace-keeping duties in 15 countries including Afghanistan, the Balkans, and the Ivory Coast.

F The French Embassy reports that nearly 36,000 French troops are deployed overseas, including 13,000 participating in crisis management operations.

F Thirty-two countries in Africa and the Middle East use French in an official or privileged capacity.

F United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), in concert with other U.S. government agencies and inter-national partners, conducts sustained security engage-ment through military-to-military programs, military-sponsored activities, and other military operations as directed to promote a stable and secure African envi-ronment in support of U.S. foreign policy.

F France is the world’s third military power (after the U.S. and Russia), and has the world’s second largest defense industry.

F 2,300 French companies in the U.S. employ approxi-mately 520,000 Americans. U.S. companies employ nearly 650,000 people in France.

F From 2003 to 2008, trade between France and the United States increased by 59%, with $1 billion dollars of transactions taking place every day.

F France is a major world research center in the field of high energy physics.

F France is a world leader in medical research: the AIDS virus was first isolated by French doctors.

F French President Nicholas Sarkozy has recently announced plans to invest $50.67 billion in higher education, research, training and other initiatives.

Source of information: Richard Shyrock, http://www.fll.vt.edu/French/whyfrench.html.

Upon returning from Saint-Cyr, Norwich cadets are required to give a presentation. Pictured (from left): Dr. Frances Chevalier, Cadet Victoria Wilson ‘09, President Richard W. Schneider, and Cadet Derek Rondeau ‘09. Weggler photo.

Detail of a portrait of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte by Paul Delaroche. Public domain image.

14 Norwich University Record/Winter 2010 www.alumni.norwich.edu

A LU M N I N E WS

“From now on I’ll only hire engineers who’ve had experience working for me during the summer.” So says Larry Jeffords ’69, owner of Jeffords Steel located in Plattsburg, N.Y. Larry is convinced that students who acquire work experience in their field prior to graduation are better prepared for the challenges of the workplace, and provide a tangible value to a potential employer.

This was proven out recently with Ryan Schmitt, a 2009 civil engineering graduate from Upstate New York. “Ryan approached me while he was still in high school and expressed his interest in becoming an engineer and working for my firm. I told him to head to Norwich and come back the next summer and we’d talk,” said Jeffords. Ryan had already attended an Engineering Showcase event in 2003 put on by the David Crawford School of Engineering, and actually won the engineering challenge/scholarship competi-tion. That fact, combined with his campus visit, helped Ryan decide Norwich was right for him. “Ryan learned the ropes that first summer back from Norwich working on the shop floor, painting, sheering metal, and generally getting a feel for how things worked,” said Jeffords. The next summer Ryan came back as a CAD draftsman in the Design/Build department making a contribu-tion on real world projects, and by the third summer he was working in the engineering department assisting Professional Engi-neers with projects where he could apply the knowledge he’d collected at Norwich. “It only made sense to hire Ryan after gradua-tion; he’d already had the best training in the industry,” Jeffords said.

“I feel like internships benefit students in two ways,” said Schmitt. “During the summer I was learning the real world applications of my academic work and getting my hands dirty; there’s no substitute for that. During the school year, my real world experience helped make my time in class seem even more relevant and the material easier to apply. My coursework suddenly made more sense to me in the context of what I’d done in the shop.” It all came together for Schmitt during his steel design course senior year. “For our final project we had to design an entire building to the specifications set forth by the instructor, exactly like we do for clients at Jeffords Steel. During the detailing phase of the project, I found myself assisting others in the class with how to present a struc-tural framing plan on paper, cut sections, and label details. All of these tasks were things I learned working as a detailer during my internship,” Schmitt said.

Perhaps equally valuable to the engineering and technology skills Schmitt acquired was the time spent in a professional office envi-ronment. Both Jeffords and Schmitt commented on the importance of developing excellent professional communication skills—particularly across functional disciplines. “I felt like even the best education can’t prepare you for everything, and my internship helped me differentiate myself and increase my value in the market,” Schmitt said.

As for the impact on Jeffords Steel? “Ryan was making money for the firm the day after he graduated,” said Jeffords. “With his real world experience and knowledge of our operations, he was working on his own designs almost immediately. You just don’t see this in new graduates.” Jeffords noted that now, more than ever, firms need employees who can hit the floor running, and intern-ships are a great way to bridge the gap between the classroom and the corporate world.

The value of internships goes beyond the short range, particularly when it comes to potential earning power. “Consulting engi-neering firms are likely to start a young engineer out at an annual salary of $5,000 to $10,000 more if a candidate has spent time interning with them,” says Jeffords. “You’re really shooting yourself in the foot if you don’t consider making that investment in your chosen career field over the summer.” Both Schmitt and Jeffords understood the need for students to make money for school, but commented that an internship is “likely to pay off ten times during the course of your career.”

Jeffords has been a big supporter of the engineering program at Norwich for years by providing both materials and knowhow for the Norwich ASCE Steel Bridge competition. However, in spite of being a Norwich grad himself, Larry admits that Schmitt was the first Norwich alumnus he had hired. “I’ve been involved with a co-op program with RIT for the past few years and had good luck, but Ryan piqued my interest. He had a great work ethic, and that’s likely the most important thing in any employer’s eyes. Norwich grads show a degree of maturity and respect that sets them apart.” So, while Schmitt may be the first NU grad to work for Jeffords, it’s unlikely he will be that last.

This article is the third in a series focused on celebrating the power and reach of the Norwich community. Our goal is to create a powerful network of alumni who are connected, informed and motivated to assist others with their professional goals. If you have a story and would like to share, please e-mail your information to alumni@norwich.edu.

Hire Norwich First!

Greetings fellow alums, friends, and families,

As we begin a new decade, I would like to take a moment to recap some of the highlights from 2009. In May, 372 new undergraduate alumni joined our ranks and embarked upon a lifelong journey of service to this great nation. Some were concerned about entering the civilian workforce during these troubled financial times. I am happy to report that many of you reached out to help, providing assis-tance with resumes, and in many cases, employment opportunities! Please continue to think about the “Hire Norwich First” campaign. There are still lots of alumni that need our help. Please contact the NU Career Development Office if you know of any oppor-tunities that call for a hard charging Norwich alum!

Homecoming 2009 was a great success on many levels. The biggest story, besides a huge Cadet win on Sabine Field, was an early end to a successful Norwich Forever! campaign. Together, we raised $81.9 million, far exceeding the original fundraising goal of $55 million. Your generosity has ensured a bright future for our institution. The students of today and tomorrow thank each of you for donating your valuable time, talents, and treasure to Norwich!

No doubt you have heard about the inaugural Norwich Day of Service in November. More than 200 alumni, students, parents, and friends gathered in locations across the country to make a positive impact on their communities. I encourage you to share your volun-teer stories with your local alumni club leadership or Allison Sultan in the NU Alumni Office at asultan@norwich.edu. Together we can create more oppor-tunities to use the power of NU to exponentially improve the world around us!

Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn’t congratulate the Cadet Class of 2013 for toughing it out and earning recognition into the long gray line established 191 years ago. These young men and women are part of the largest freshman class ever. If you would like to help recruit the next class of Norwich students, consider becoming a Norwich Ambassador. Share your passion for Norwich and host a sendoff, visit a high school, or work a college fair. For more information, contact Eddie Habeck ’99, Ambassador Program Coor-dinator, at 802.485.2069 or ehabeck@norwich.edu.

I am honored to be part of the Norwich family and look forward to all the great things we will accom-plish in 2010! Please take a moment to let me know how the Alumni Association is serving your needs and what we can do to improve your alumni experi-ence! Please contact me at curleymark@yahoo.com with any ideas, issues, stories, or questions you have.

Norwich Forever!

Major Mark Curley, USAF, ’89 (Ret.)President, Norwich University Alumni Association

From the NUAA President

Larry Jeffords ‘69 (left) and Ryan Schmitt ‘09 at the Jeffords Steel plant in Plattsburgh, N.Y. Photo by Jay Ericson

Man of Steel: Engineering Grad is a Superhero, Thanks to Internship Program

By Charlie O’Neil ’94

www.norwich.edu Norwich University Record/Winter 2010 15

Rifle of the MillionsOnce discarded, now a prized collectors’ item, the classic M1 Garand was ahead of its timeBy Tony Sussmann ’66

Remember having to recite when asked, “The M1 Garand weighs 7.5 pounds and is an air- cooled, gas operated, clip fed, semiautomatic shoulder weapon,” as well as name all the parts—bullet guide, follower arm, operating rod, catch...etc? Norwich graduates from the 1940s, 50s, and 60s had first hand experience with the .30-06 caliber M1 Garand rifle, both on active duty and as cadets. As cadets they were individually issued sans firing pins, and hung on our room wall by the stacking swivel. They are remembered as instruments of training, discipline, and harassment, as we learned it is a rifle not a gun, the manual-of-arms, 30-second stripping, cleaning, shooting, and bayonet drill.

For many, the firearm is recalled with a certain trepidation, as we walked tours with them, slept with them, ran with them, endured inspections, suffered the dreaded “rook school” rifle calis-thenics, and occasionally the M1 thumb. Most of us knew little of their history, and cared even less about manufacturers, issue dates, parts, originality, and unique wood stock markings. Being one of the uninterested, 43 years later I find myself an avid collector of the M1 Garand, focused on every minute detail.

A Brief HistoryThe M1 rifle was the single most significant small arms development in the history of modern warfare. No other rifle in this nation’s history so outclassed that of its adversaries. In its day, the M1 Garand was the most advanced battle rifle at the beginning of World War II, and gave the American soldier superior fire- power throughout the war. General George S. Patton once described it as “the greatest battle implement ever devised.” Invented at the Spring-field Arsenal by John C. Garand, it was first placed into service in 1937. It replaced and was superior to the M1903 and M1903A1 Springfield and Remington bolt-action rifles, with its semi-automatic operation and increased rate of fire, reduced recoil, superior sighting system, and ease of disassembly, cleaning, and oiling. The accuracy, reliability, ruggedness, and most of all, its firepower, could not be matched by any of the Axis powers during WWII. It performed with distinction throughout WWII and Korea, and in to the early days of Vietnam. It was the U.S. Army’s first line weapon until the late 1950s, when it was replaced by the M14 and then the M16, and remained a reserve weapon well in to the 1970s. A total of 5.4 million were produced by four manufacturers: Springfield Armory; Winchester Repeating Arms; International Harvester Co.; and Harrington & Richardsons Co.

Most parts were uniquely marked or recognizable as to individual manufacturers, and all metal and wood parts were interchangeable between manufactures.

A Bonanza for CollectorsAn early 1950s federal law forbidding the commercial re-import of firearms that had been shipped overseas as military aid severely limited the supplies of M1 Garands in this country. But in 1986, Congress passed a bill allowing the importation and sale to collectors of military firearms

manufactured before 1945. The bill opened entirely new fields for collectors, and M1 Garands—particularly those produced during WWII—became extremely popular. In addition, the U.S. Army released surplus M1 Garands for training and education through the Civilian Marks-manship Program. Once avail-able, those rifles provided a bonanza for collectors.

Thousands of M1 Garands came home from all over the world—South Korea, Israel, Greece, various Latin American countries, and Europe, as well as from U.S. surplus storage. Suddenly the collector market was flooded, and at one point you could find them stuffed in barrels at gun and hardware stores cheap.

However, most of the M1 Garands returning to the United States after absences of up to 50 years served long and hard during the Cold War. From frontline battle rifles, they moved down the line, serving in succession as second-line support weapons, training weapons, and finally dumped into storage. Depending on the military service and their budget, these fine weapons may have been properly cleaned and stored, or just stacked or thrown into storage corners and containers like junk.

The vast majority of M1 Garands have been “ridden hard,” as they say, as wood and metal wear out, dent, splinter, rust, and corrode as a result of combat, storage, and training. Most under-went arsenal rebuild, refinishing, rebarreling, or repairing at least once, and often several times. In addition, training, multiple cleaning parties, and parts replacement left them with few orig-inal parts. Anyone who has experienced basic training will laugh at the idea that an M1 Garand could retain any of its original parts after having been dragged through the mud, cleaned a thou-sand times or more, taken apart, parts tossed on a blanket in the squad bay and reassembled, day after day, month after month, year after year. So, the M1 Garand that you purchased at your local gun shop or gun show is probably far removed from the rifle that left the factory. Thus, while millions were produced, the number of serviceable Garands remaining is much less, and the number of quality Garands even smaller. They are seldom encountered with all original parts and finish as delivered from the manufacturer. Such “original” rifles—even in well-used condition—are highly prized by collectors.

New Lease on LifeAs a result of its WWII “Greatest Generation” and Korean conflict history, and reputation as the main individual U.S. battle rifle that carried us through half the 20th century, that old instrument of warfare you trained with as a cadet is experiencing a huge resurgence of interest, popularity, and collectability. In addition, the M1 Garand has found a second life with match shooters. A .30-06 M1 Garand, properly bedded and barreled, with match sights, could hold its own with M14/M1A or M16/AR15 match rifles up to 1,000 yards. Today, quality all-original Garands, particu-larly those of WWII, bring high prices, and if you are lucky enough to find a WWII M1C or Korea era M1D sniper rifle, you have a real prized collectors’ item worth many thousands of dollars.

Looking back, if I knew then what I know now, I would have paid a lot more attention to that Garand that hung on my Norwich wall, and volunteered to spend a lot of time with Sergeant Darymple down in the building behind the laundry where they were stored and kept in repair. If you are interested in learning more about the M1 Garand, the books The M1 Garand: World War II and M1 Garand: Post World War II, by Scott Duff are excellent resources. The National Garand Collectors Asso-ciation at www.thegca.org is also a great source. In addition, there is an excellent article on the M1 Garand to be found online at http://stonetip.com/rotm/rotm.htm. Finally, if you want to obtain a bit of Norwich Cadet nostalgia, you can still obtain a serviceable M1 from the Civilian Marksmanship Program at www.odcmp.com.

Author Tony Sussmann ‘66 at Louisiana Atchafalaya Swamp shooting range holding a Springfield M1A (at left), and an M1 Garand (at right). Photo courtesy of Tony Sussman.

“[The M1 Garand is] the greatest battle implement ever devised by man,”

~ General George S. Patton, Jr.

Diagram reproduced from Lucian Cary on Guns, Fawcett Book 110, Fawcett Publications, Inc., Greenwich, Conn. 1951

Platoon inspection, circa 1967. 1967 War Whoop.

Part of Sussmann’s collection, showing various manufacturer’s marks and serial numbers.

16 Norwich University Record/Winter 2010 www.alumni.norwich.edu

Giving Back, Norwich Style The inaugural Norwich ‘Day of Service’ impacts those at home and abroad By Allison Sultan

Rake the leaves. Organize the laundry room. Clean the windows—inside and out. It sounds like the kind of to-do list many would try to avoid on a sunny fall day. For Norwich, though, it was a rallying cry. Over 50 alumni, students, parents and friends from the Washington, D.C. area joined forces to tackle this—and a much larger—chore list at Walter Reed Army Medical Center’s Fisher Houses. Adopting these Fisher Houses was part of the Norwich Day of Service—an inau-gural event designed to bring all members of the Norwich family together for a day dedicated to community service.

Across the country, almost 200 alumni, students, parents, spouses and friends put the values they learned at Norwich into action by adopting local causes and working together to make a direct impact on their communities. With the support of the Alumni Office, the Center for Civic Engagement, and the NU Alumni Association, 11 Norwich clubs participated in the kickoff event on November 7, 2009. While clubs were free to choose any cause they wished, activities that supported our nation’s troops and veterans quickly emerged as the theme for the day.

NU Club of the Delaware Valley Club Officer Jim Garvey ’73 joined with a handful of local alumni to adopt the Philadelphia Veterans Living Center for the afternoon. The volunteers hosted a pizza party and coordinated a bingo game—a favorite of the residents. “It was an incredible experi-ence,” said Jim. “Your heart goes out to these veterans that have served our great country and now are living from day to day. I know we brought them some joy and fun.” His sentiments were echoed by Kathy Brill, the Center’s director. “Norwich alumni gave more than the mone-tary value of the refreshments and bingo prizes; they gave of themselves.” Forty residents of the Community Living Center, most in wheelchairs and in declining health, enjoyed the day. Jim has personally pledged to continue his relationship with the organization. His story is just one from a day filled with personal and meaningful connections.

“When I first started talking about a Norwich Day of Service, I was so excited about the possi-bilities of it. My mind immediately went to the kids of deployed soldiers,” said NU Alumni Asso-ciation Board member Kiley (Johnston) Driscoll ’99. Working with the NU Clubs of Boston and Hanscom Air Force Base, Kiley organized a huge toy and book drive in conjunction with the Armed Forces Foundation and Operation Paperback. In all, they collected 25 boxes of books, and filled her Toyota Highlander with toys to distribute to the families that are missing their moms or dads this holiday season. “It was such a rewarding experience,” said Kiley. “I know Norwich made a difference to these families.” The NU Clubs of the Hudson Valley, N.Y. and Central Florida also hosted book and supply drives, collecting an additional 100 books and putting together 16 care packages for the NU Club of Iraq.

While books, toys and supplies were being sorted on the East Coast, the NU Club of San Antonio spent the morning tending to the acreage surrounding the San Antonio Food Bank. “We did everything!” said Club Officer Dawn (Mills) Robinson ’99. “Some of us helped out in their community garden doing everything from hauling and spreading mulch and organic ant killer, to working on the landscaping of the Food Bank grounds. It was very rewarding for all of us, and we look forward to doing it again.”

Norwich students, in cooperation with Sodexo Food Services, took part in a food drive to benefit CERV as part of the Norwich Day of Service on November 7, 2009. Together they collected more than 700 pounds of food for the local community.

Paine Mountain Clean-up: Development Officer Curtis Ostler and Norwich students

“Everyone knows that service and giving back is fundamental to the Norwich experience;

the Norwich Day of Service became a vehicle to put our values into action all across the country.”

~Allison Sultan, Assistant Director for Clubs and Events

www.norwich.edu Norwich University Record/Winter 2010 17

View more photos of the NU Alumni Clubs in action on the Day of Service at www.alumni.norwich.edu/clubs.

2009 Day of Service ActivitiesNU Club of Central Florida – Book and Supply Drive with the VFW Post 10139• Collected over 100 books and other supplies for deployed troops

NU Club of Central Vermont – Joint activities with the NU Center for Civic Engagement• Dog River and Paine Mountain Clean-Up – 12 bags of trash collected• Habitat for Humanity Build – windows and siding installed• Food Sorting at the VT Food Bank – 595 boxes of food packed• Playground Build/Thatcher Brook Elementary, Waterbury• Door to Door Food Drive, Northfield, with Sodexo – 705 lbs of food items collected

in a 24-hour period• Northfield Conservation Commission – Lean-to renovation

NU Club of the Delaware Valley – Adopted the Veterans Community Living Center in Philadelphia• Organized a pizza lunch and bingo game for residents• Hosted 40 veterans for the afternoon

NU Club of the Delaware Valley: Pizza Party and Bingo for disabled veterans

NU Clubs of Hanscom AFB and Boston – Toy and Book Drive• Dozens of toys to be distributed via the Armed Forces Foundation to the children of

deployed soldiers• Over 25 boxes of books to be distributed via Operation Paperback

NU Club of the Heart of Carolina – Partnership with Wakefield High School (Raleigh, NC) to raise awareness and participation in the school’s anti-drunk-driving programs

NU Club of the Hudson Valley, NY – Toy Drive for the children of deployed soldiers, care package drive for deployed Norwich troops in Iraq• 16 care packages put together for the NU Club of Iraq – delivered in time for their

December social

NU Club of Maryland - Adopted the Silver Spring, MD Fisher House• Coordinated 30 bag lunches for wounded warriors who had medical appointments• Cleaned all common areas of the house and yard

NU Club of San Antonio, TX – Day at the San Antonio Food Bank• Worked in the gardens of the Food Bank

NU Club of the Upper Valley, NH – Support and set up for the White River Junction VA Mobile Vet Center• Provided food and set-up assistance for the Mobile Vet Center NU Club of Washington, DC – Adopted Walter Reed Medical Center Fisher Houses• Cleaned the kitchen and other common areas• Organized the sheds, offices and other storage areas

Jacob Sultan with homemade lunches for the troops at Walter Reed

“What was really cool about the Norwich Day of Service is that it became a way to involve all members of the Norwich community in a day that showcased us at our best,” said the Alumni Office’s Allison Sultan. “Everyone knows that service and giving back is fundamental to the Norwich experience; the Norwich Day of Service became a vehicle to put our values into action all across the country.” In Allison’s own home the spirit of the Day of Service took hold. In addi-tion to adopting the Silver Spring, Md. Fisher House, alumni and friends from Maryland also donated food items to prepare 30 healthy lunches. These lunches were for Fisher House resi-dents seeking treatment at Walter Reed, where the food court doesn’t always offer the most health-conscious selection. “I enlisted the help of my five-year-old son, Jacob, to help pack the lunches. He took the job so seriously and made the lunches with such love and care—it was wonderful to watch and be a part of.”

The day was such a success that plans are already underway for the next Norwich Day of Service. “November 6, 2010 will be the day—the Saturday before Veterans Day,” said Sultan. “I hope all alumni, parents and students will come out that day and participate. To give back to your community is such a rewarding experience—and to do it alongside a great group of Norwich friends makes it even more special.”

To view more pictures of the NU Alumni Clubs in action on the Day of Service, visit www.alumni.norwich.edu/clubs. If you need help logging in, call the alumni office at 1.877.485.2019, and someone will be glad to help you.

NU Club of Washington, DC at the Walter Reed Fisher House

“Madame Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge Norwich University on their inaugural Day of Service.”

“Norwich University is the oldest private military college in the nation and is located in the foothills of the Green Mountains in Northfield, Vermont. The university’s founder, Captain Alden Partridge, believed in the importance of service and experiential learning. On November 7, 2009 over 150 alumni, undergraduate students, graduate students, staff and friends of the university exemplified these founding principles by joining forces across the country to serve others. The Day of Service is a partnership between the Norwich University Office of Development and Alumni Relations and the Center for Civic Engagement. The date of the Day of Service was chosen specifically to coincide with Veterans Day, with most of the volunteer opportunities focused on supporting our nation’s veterans and active duty military.”

“Right here in the DC metro area dozens of alumni and friends adopted Fisher Houses on both the campus and annex of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Fisher Houses are non-profit homes where family members of injured soldiers can stay while their soldier recuper-ates from injury. Studies show that the injured recover faster when family are present and Fisher Houses play an important role in this increased speed of recovery. In Vermont, over 50 students and alumni helped with local river cleanup, volunteered at the Vermont Food Bank and Habitat for Humanity and provided logistical support for the White River Junc-tion Mobile Vet Center. Meanwhile, in Philadelphia Norwich alumni visited with veterans at the local Veterans Community Living Center and sponsored an afternoon of pizza and bingo. Additionally, hundreds of toys and books were collected in Massachusetts, New York and Florida to be distributed through the Armed Forces Foundation and Operation Paperback and care packages were assembled to be sent to Norwich University alumni currently serving in Iraq. In North Carolina alumni were rallied to support Wakefield High School’s anti-drunk driving efforts and in San Antonio over 20 alumni and friends spent the morning volunteering in the fruit and vegetable gardens of the San Antonio Food Bank.”

“In this time when so many of the men and women of our armed forces are serving in harm’s way, the Norwich Day of Service is a praiseworthy example of how those of us at home can volunteer our time to thank our service members for their sacrifice is some small way.”

“Thank you Madame Speaker. I yield the floor.”

18 Norwich University Record/Winter 2010 www.alumni.norwich.edu

CLU B & R E G I O NAL N E WSEUROPE

NU Club of Europe Celebrates Volksfest in Germany

Even though Norwich’s alumni living in Europe were not able to travel back to Vermont for Home-coming this year, we had our own gathering in Germany on October 3 at the Sonja Renz tent of the Canstatter Volksfest (autumn festival and fair) in Stuttgart. Ted and Chris Hoeckel ’61 (Germany), Carl and Alex Nelson ’79 (England), Mark and Beatrix Oslebo ’79 (Germany), Mellissa Stanfa-Brew ’91 and her family (Germany), Sara Oberdorf ’01 (England), Chris Bigott ’03 (Italy), Trevor Robles ’03 (Italy), and Rob Wilson ’04 (Italy) were all in attendance. It was a great reunion for NU alumni living in Europe!

A huge thanks to Sara Oberdorf ’01 for all her hard work in bringing the NU Club of Europe together! She is off on an adventure around the world and will be returning to the States mid-year. The NU Club of Europe will continue on after she’s settled into her new home. For now, contact Carl Nelson ’79 at carl.nelson@btinternet.com for news and updates about the Europe Club!

FLORIDA – Brevard County

Brevard County, Florida November Luncheon

In November we had our biggest monthly get-together yet with 14 people gathering for lunch at the Indian River Colony Club. Year-round Florida residents and snowbirds alike are invited to meet-up the third Saturday of each month at noon at the 19th Hole Restaurant at the Indian River Colony Club. Also, it is not too late to join us for our annual golf outing on March 27, 2010.

FLORIDA – First Coast and Golden Isles

First Coast and Golden Isles Halloween Social

The NU Club of the Golden Isles & First Coast had its Halloween Social on October 31 in St. Augus-tine. The following alumni attended: Kurt Schlotterbeck ’66, Dave Rogers ’55, George Wisell ’67, Earl Evans ’64, Jim Beyerl ’85, and Rick May ’06. NU parents Dean and Amy Mechlowitz also joined us. We talked about old times on the Hill and Norwich sports teams. Prizes were awarded for best and worst golfer, best travelers, and best beer drinkers—all categories where the competition was fierce. Kurt Schlotterbeck also won the prize for the best (and only) costume.

IRAQ

All alumni and students serving in Iraq are invited to get together on the third Sunday of every month at 1:00 p.m. We gather at the JVB Hotel - Victory Base. No RSVPs needed, just come and have fun with fellow Norwich alums. For more information about Norwich alumni and students serving in Iraq contact Dianna Terpin ’94 at dianna.terpin@iraq.centcom.mil.

MARYLAND

Work Crew at the Silver Spring Fisher House at Walter Reed

Day of Service: Almost 20 alumni, family members, parents and SGS students from throughout Mary-land gathered at the Silver Spring Annex of Walter Reed Medical Center to adopt the Fisher House for the day. We gave the entire house a true fall scrubbing, cleaning windows, dusting baseboards, cleaning and reorganizing the kitchen and laundry room, and doing yard work. It was a great day and truly showed our Norwich values in action!

Fall Brunch: An NU Club of Maryland tradition was back this November when over 60 people gath-ered at Fort George Meade for a wonderful Sunday brunch. Our special guest from Norwich was VP for Enrollment and Communications Karen McGrath, who did a great job updating us with the latest news from the Hill, and reliving the special bond she has with our NU Club. What a great way to kick off the holiday season!

MASSACHUSETTS – Boston

Holiday Dinner: We filled the room at the Union Oyster House for the NU Club of Boston’s annual December dinner and winter meeting. We dined on a house specialty—broiled New England scrod—and our speaker was none other than President Richard W. Schneider. We also had the chance to screen a student-produced video highlighting the successful Norwich Forever! campaign and the changes it has brought to campus. The dinner served another special purpose as we bid a fond fare-well and special thank you to Jim DiGiacomo ’89 for his many years of service to the NU Club of Boston. Jim handed the reins over to Sean Dunn ’92, who has a great year planned for the thousands of alumni and friends who live in the Boston area. Keep your eyes open for event announcements and join us for a social near you!

NEVADA – Northern

The Blue Angels took to the Northern Nevada skies in September and performed their daring feats as part of the 46th National Championship Air Races and Air Show. Alumni came out to cheer on fellow alum Chris Collins ’97. Afterwards, everyone was invited to the Jazz Kitchen for an evening social with food, music and good cheer.

NEW YORK – New York City

Alumni living in the New York City area enjoyed a great evening of dinner, dancing and holiday cheer on the Spirit of New York City. As the ship cruised around Manhattan, everyone enjoyed visiting with President Richard W. Schneider and hearing the latest news from the Hill. Arguably the most special part of the evening came when the ship pulled in front of Miss Liberty and the national anthem was proudly played over the speakers. You could feel everyone fill with pride and just the awe of the moment—that alone was worth the price of admission!

NORTH CAROLINA

Despite an evening of torrential downpours that literally flooded the Raleigh area, alumni rallied and had a fun evening social featuring Allen Doyle ’71, PGA Champions Tour star and wonderful Norwich supporter. Although the weather did have an adverse affect on the anticipated attendance, we still had about a dozen intrepid folks brave the high water to attend! We even reunited two Class of ’56 grads who had not seen each other for many, many years! We keep having class members attend our functions in twos, just like Noah’s Ark! Despite flooding of biblical proportions, we had a great evening and are looking forward to many events in 2010, hopefully under clear skies.

TEXAS – Houston

Alumni at the Houston Aeros Hockey Game (See write-up next page.)

www.norwich.edu Norwich University Record/Winter 2010 19

CLU B & R E G I O NAL N E WSOn October 17, a small contingent of the NU Club of Houston met up for good eats and great hockey. We started off with dinner at China Garden, across the street from the Toyota Center. After stuffing ourselves on a variety of tasty Chinese dishes, we migrated over to the Toyota Center where the Houston Aeros hosted the Texas Stars. Alas, while the Aeros were not victorious, the club level seats gave us a fantastic view of the game. Much fun was had by all!

TEXAS – San Antonio

San Antonio Alumni and Friends at the Food Bank

It was a great morning at the San Antonio Food Bank! We had a group of 21 people, 9 of whom came with Mrs. Shawanda Robinson, wife of Pastor Jerry Robinson M’05, as part of their church service debutante program called “Ladies of Excellence.” The girls did a great job helping out! We had an interesting challenge at the food bank, as we were there on the same day as Citigroup…with 200 volunteers! Undeterred, we decided to work in the garden instead of the warehouse—a job that attracts fewer volunteers since it is outside. Some of us helped out in the community garden doing everything from hauling and spreading mulch to spreading organic ant killer. The rest worked on landscaping the grounds. At the end of the morning, when Citigroup had cleared out, our coordi-nator treated us to a tour of the entire food bank—including their HUGE warehouse freezer—and described the operations and how volunteers like us allow the San Antonio Food Bank to run on an operating budget of less than 1% of the donation revenue, almost unheard of in the non-profit realm. It was a very rewarding day and we look forward to doing it again!

THAILAND

NU Club of Thailand

The NU Club of Thailand remains a vibrant and exciting group! Alumni got together to host a member of the Class of 1984 who was visiting Thailand in early November. Everyone had a great time! The club’s current president is Mr.Viramit Tejapaibul ’71, and club secretary is Group Captain Professor Dr. Vinai Chunpai, Royal Thai Air Force ’80. At the time this is being written, we are all looking forward to welcoming the visiting group of Norwich students during winter break.

WASHINGTON, DC

Family of Adrian Dantzler ‘12 at the Cadets football game

Gallaudet Football Game: GO CADETS! Norwich alumni and parents came out in force to cheer the Cadets on in their first ever game in the D.C. area. We kicked off the day with a full brunch at the Gallaudet Dining Hall. Then, decked out in our best Norwich gear, we filled the bleachers and cheered the team on to a 14-7 victory. Leading the cheers was the family of Adrian Dantzler ’12, a Cadets wide receiver who hails from Columbia Heights, Md.

Wine Tasting: On October 25 more than 30 alumni and friends gathered at the Barrel Oak Winery in Delaplane, Va. It was a genuinely gorgeous day, and the valley was ablaze in glorious fall colors. The setting of the winery gave us a great view of the Virginia countryside. The group enjoyed wine tasting, food, and good fellowship. Those in attendance represented 50 years of NU alumni classes (1960-2010). We are already planning next year’s event. Come join us!

Washington, D.C. area alumni and friends raise a glass to Norwich at the Barrel Oak Winery

Minutes from Norwich University

• Private quarters on 400 acres

• Spacious living & dining area, full kitchen

• Satellite TV, Wi-Fi, A/C, cell service

• Porch – spectacular mountain views

• Miles of walking & x-ski trails

• Special rates for Norwich U.* Free bottle of syrup!

Guesthouse & suGarworks

800-707-8427getaway@sweetretreat-vermont.com

Ray & Hannah Morvan329 Frost Road, Northfield

Sleeps up to 5 (in same party) Two night minimum • Major credit cards

*Excluding special weekends & events

SweetRetreat-Vermont.com

Florida Alumni to Restore Veterans MemorialThe Veterans Memorial in Naples, Fla. features the names of area veterans who gave their lives in service to their country, from World Wars I and II, through Vietnam, and most recently in Iraq and Afghanistan. The project was initiated and sponsored by the Naples Women’s Club, and completed in 1984. Since then, however, no one held responsibility for its upkeep, and it has fallen into disrepair.

Jim Elson ’71, past president of the Reserve Officer’s Association and 10-year president of the Collier County Veterans Council, has picked up the torch and wants to restore the monu-ment with the help of fellow Norwich alumni. Assisted by local contractors Kevin Keyes ’82 and JR Hobbs ’89, Jim hopes to enlist other alumni and friends of the University who want to help realize his vision of seeing the memorial restored.

The plan is to remove and repair the granite blocks that feature the carved names, excavate and replace the base and concrete underneath, and implement a new landscape design for the park. Jim is currently raising funds for the project and hopes to see it completed by mid-2010. If interested, please contact Jim at jelson1@comcast.net.

Jim Elson ‘71, at far left, at the 2009 Veterans Day Service in Naples, Florida. Courtesy photo.

20 Norwich University Record/Winter 2010 www.alumni.norwich.edu

Class of 1940

Jack Sparkes (AKA Sparkie) and Earle Kelly (AKA Shipwreck) met at Norwich in 1936, grad-uated together in 1940, and have been friends ever since. Both were senior bucks and small bore marksmen, but the similarities don’t end there: Kelly was captain of the football team and Sparkes was manager; after Norwich, both served in the Army in World War II—Sparkes in the South Pacific, while Kelly transferred into the Air Corps, was shot down, and held in Stalag III (site of the famous Great Escape) until freed by Patton’s forces. Now both live in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Jack is planning to attend Homecoming 2010 for his 70th reunion and is working on getting Earle there as well. He hopes that any other classmates from 1940 that are able will attend.

Class of 1940 “Shipwreck” (above) and “Sparkie” (below) in Myrtle Beach

Class of 1954

Charles Topping was featured in the Mendham (N.J.) Chester Washington Township news-paper as a Mendham Borough historian who likes to tell stories about his hometown during walking tours he leads during the summer for the Morris County Tourism Bureau. Charles was quoted as saying he shows people “high-profile things like the Phoenix House that are woven into the culture, the history of Mendham.” The Topping Family was one of the first settlers in Chester. Charles volunteers as a Norwich Ambassador for the Admissions Office.

Class of 1958

Class of 1958 Bill Zeitler with the plane he built

Bill Zeitler enjoys flying a two-place amphib-ious light sport aircraft that he built himself. He writes, “In the background is Lake Hortonia (Vt.), where our summer cottage is located. I got

my license at Norwich in 1958 while enrolled in the ROTC flight program. I hold a commercial helicopter and airplane single/multi-engine land and sea with instrument. I always wanted to come back to Vermont to fly. It took me almost one year to the day to build ‘N58NU.’” Bill can be reached at bzeitler@gbifinancial.com.

Class of 1960

The Class of 1960 has much wonderful news to share. Jack McDermott writes, “Congratulations to Paul Valvo and Peggy Sims on their engage-ment and plans for a spring wedding. Paul and Peggy have traveled on many wonderful trips with their classmates and we are all very happy for them. We look forward to seeing Mr. and Mrs. Paul Valvo at our 50th reunion next year. Congratulations to Chris Righter and his new wife Judy Thomson. Our class looks forward to spending time with Judy and Chris at our upcoming 50th reunion. Congratulations to Dick Howe on receiving the Alumni Director’s award at last fall’s Homecoming. Dick has retired from the board after many years of successful effort. It was great to see his family there to celebrate with him.”

Class of 1961

Last fall, the Class of ’61 met at the Hill Top Restaurant in Berlin, Vt. under the leadership of Class Agent Roger Samia, and celebrated its 48th mini-reunion with conversation, memo-ries, and catching up. Roger writes, “We discussed some plans for the 49th reunion and most importantly, our 50th. We have started the formation of the 50th reunion committee, and intend to name Dominic Ruggerio our honorary chairman. We are starting to plan a bit early, but it is our intention to make it something none of our classmates would want to miss. As with any undertaking of this size, we are looking for volunteers that will help plan and coordinate this milestone in our life. We are looking for ideas that will help jumpstart the celebration.” Please feel free to email your thoughts and ideas to Roger at nsamia@msn.com.

Class of 1961 Mini-Reunion on Sabine Field

Class of 1962

Burt Mullen met up with Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at the American Cemetery, Omaha Beach, Normandy, France, while traveling with the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts in October 2009. Burt writes, “A memorable moment.”

Class of 1962 Burt Mullen ‘62 (left) and Navy Admiral Mike Mullen in France

Class of 1968

Former Speaker of the House and General Chairman of American Solutions Newt Ging-rich recently honored Richard Schloesser, Presi-dent and CEO of Toray Plastics (America), Inc., located in North Kingstown, R.I., as American Solutions 2009 Entrepreneur of the Year from Rhode Island. Speaker Gingrich recognized Rick at an American Solutions awards dinner on October 7, 2009 at the Capitol Hill Club in Washington, D.C. American Solutions is “a tri-partisan citizen action network of over 1.5 million members whose goal is to create the next generation of solutions that will ensure that the United States remains the safest, freest, and most prosperous nation in the world.” For more information, visit www.AmericanSolutions.com.

Class of 1968 From left: Newt Gingrich, Janet Schloesser, Rick Schloesser ‘68

Class of 1969

Walter Banaszak writes, “This year was much better for my family as we finally had something to celebrate. The 2009 academic year yielded three graduates: Matt – Stony Brook University, Katie – Mount Holyoke College, and Kristin – Sayville High School. In celebration I was able to take my two daughters to London and Paris. While in France we visited my uncle’s grave at the Somme American Military Cemetery, 100 miles NW of Paris. (See photo.) My uncle, CPL Frank W. Banaszak (AKA Bonner), Company B, 106th NY Infantry, was KIA on 9/27/1918. We were the first members of our family to visit his grave. We were all impressed with the care and attention given to the cemetery.”

Class of 1969 Walter Banaszak in France

Class of 1970

Jack Rosado wrote to let us know that John “Jack” Koelmel retired from SUNY Albany after more than 32 years of service as an athletic trainer. (See photo above, right.) The school’s head athletic trainer for over 30 years, Jack was inducted into the Albany Sports Hall of Fame in October 2009, cited for his development of the Albany training unit from a sole grad-uate assistant to a staff of six, and the growth of the athletic programs from D-3 to D-1. At Norwich, Jack played basketball, was a member of the freshman football team, and worked as a student assistant trainer. In 1973 he earned

an M.S. in educational administration from U. Albany, where he was an instructor in the care and prevention of athletic injuries. Jack and his wife, Margo, reside in Ballston Spa, N.Y. He has three stepchildren, Frances, Carl and Ross, and two grandchildren, Shailee (4) and Devin (2).

Class of 1970 John “Jack” Koelmel

Class of 1971

Ernie Wong writes, “I got together with a couple of alumni in Anthem, Ariz., and look forward to the spring Arizona club event.” Those interested in reaching Ernie may contact him at ewong@ix.netcom.com.

Classes of 1959, 1962, 1971 From left: Ernie Wong ’71, Dick Schmidt ’62, and Gary Bergeron ’59 in Anthem, Ariz.

Class of 1973

LTC Robert “Bob” Chilton retired from the Kentucky Army National Guard in a ceremony on June 7, 2009 in Frankfort, Ky. Bob has been member of the military for more than 35 years, out of which more than 23 were with the Kentucky Army National Guard. Among his awards are the Meritorious Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Kentucky Distinguished Service Medal. Bob and his wife, Sandra Finnell Chilton, reside in Versailles, Ky.

Class of 1973 BG Michael Dornbush (left) and Bob Chilton ‘73

Steve Lewkowicz, executive vice president and chief financial officer (CFO) of Wireless Zone®—a nationwide network of locally owned and operated Verizon Wireless franchises—was named CFO of the Year for 2009 by the Hartford Business Journal. Steve accepted his award on November 10, 2009, at the Marriot-Hartford in Farmington, Conn. CFO of the company since the beginning of 2001, Steve oversees the financial and treasury operations of Wireless Zone’s® parent company, Auto-motive Technologies, Inc. (ATI). His duties include financial strategic planning, reporting

Looking for the name and contact information for your Class Agent? Contact the Alumni Office at 877.485.2019 or

visit www.alumni.norwich.edu/classagent

C L A S S N OTE S

www.norwich.edu Norwich University Record/Winter 2010 21

C L A S S N OTE Sand compliance. He also serves as treasurer and director of the Wireless Zone® Foundation for Public Giving, and is a member of the ATI Board of Directors. He holds an MBA from Rens-selaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) -Lally School of Management and Technology. Reach Steve at stevel@wirelesszone.com.

Class of 1973 Steve Lewkowicz

Class of 1974

Longtime Saint Michael’s College athletic trainer and coach Zafir “Zaf” Bludevich was recently honored as the recipient of the ECAC’s Dr. Donald Grover Memorial Award. The award is bestowed to an athletic trainer of an ECAC member institution who has achieved outstanding success in his or her career, and has made an unusual contribution in the interest of intercollegiate athletics. Zaf received his award on October 6, 2009 at the ECAC Honors Luncheon at The Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis, Mass.

Class of 1974 Zaph Bludevich

Class of 1975

Vinal C. Doody has been named director, Health-care Consulting Division, at Baker Newman Noyes, a regional CPA and consulting firm with offices in Maine and New Hampshire. A member of the firm since 1996, (after many years as a senior medicare auditor with the federal government), Vinal holds an MBA from Thomas College. He is married with one son and two granddaughters.

PGA golf professional Bob Beach put his Norwich values into action by giving free golf instruction to veterans, disabled veterans, and active soldiers at a Veterans Appreciation Day in Gardner, Mass. on September 26, 2009. Bob, the 2005 New England PGA Teacher of the Year, is the head golf pro at the Braintree Municipal Golf Course in Braintree, Mass.

Class of 1979

Charlie Armenti ’81 writes, “Don and Edie Poulin hosted a mini reunion at their house on Lake Winnipesaukee in Moultonborough, N.H. (See photo.) The weather was great, food was deli-cious and the refreshments were cold! Long distance travelers were Tim Moynihan ‘81 from Utah and Tom Homka ’81 from Philadelphia. In photo, (1st Row: Ann Bagshaw ‘81, Jeanne Jones ‘81, and Sussan Coley ‘83; 2nd Row: Don and Edie, Tom, Jeff ’81 and Paula ’83 Signor, Tim, and Charlie and Karla Armenti ’81.

Class of 1983

Apigeat Saunkratoke writes, “It’s my hopeful intention to try my very best to have my son follow my footsteps and come to Norwich. I just hope that he is lucky enough to get a schol-arship from the Army like his old man did. At the moment, at eight, he seems to be somewhat of a smart boy, especially with those PlaySta-tion games. We’ll see and ‘I Will Try.’”

Class of 1984

COL Burdett “Burt” Thompson, USA was presented the 2009 Ferrum College Distin-guished Alumni Award. After earning his associ-ate’s degree at Ferrum, Thompson transferred to Norwich, where he earned a bachelor’s in mili-tary science and history and commissioned in infantry. At the time of his award, Burt had just completed a 12-month deployment for Opera-tion Iraqi Freedom in Diyala Providence, Iraq. While in Iraq, he was in charge of eight battal-ions with 6,300 men. He also was in charge of the Coalition Forces, consisting of 26,000 soldiers. Thompson was recently hand-picked to be the executive officer and advisor by the Under Secretary of the Army, and began his new duties in Washington, D.C. on November 30. He and his wife, Kala, have four children, Hunter, Hanna, Heather and Heath.

Class of 1984 Burt Thompson

Class of 1985

Alberto Higuera recently gave up his second battalion command, which was 3rd Battalion (Military Police Training) 169th RTI Connecticut Army National Guard. Prior to this command he commanded the 192nd Military Police Battalion (I/R) Connecticut Army National Guard. He is now S-3 of the 169th RTI. On the civilian side, Albert is employed by the Newington Police Department, in Newington Conn. Al writes, “I look forward to seeing all my classmates at our 25th reunion.” Reach him at alberto.higueraus@army.mil.

Class of 1987

Michael S. Heimall has been promoted to the rank of colonel in the U.S. Army. Currently the deputy commander for administration with the Army Medical Department Activity, Fort Campbell, Ky., Michael has 22 years of mili-tary service and holds master’s degrees from Baylor University (1996) and the U.S. Army War College (2009).

Lou Miranda has been appointed Pinal County’s (Ariz.) emergency management director. Lou previously served as director of emergency management for Yuma County, where he also managed environmental programs. Prior to joining county government, Lou served as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps, and currently serves in the USMC Reserves. In addi-tion to his 23 years of military service, Lou is a licensed first responder, fire fighter, paramedic, Arizona-certified hazardous materials techni-cian, and an instructor for the Arizona Division of Emergency Management. He holds a master’s degree in business management.

Class of 1988

LTCs Jayson A. Altieri ‘89 and David E. Brigham recently held an impromptu reunion (see photo below) at a reception hosted by the chief of staff of the Pakistan Army’s 11th Corps Head-quarters in Peshawar. Neither one had seen the other since the late 1980s. David is working in Pakistan as a U.S. Army foreign area officer, and Jayson is serving as the chief of plans for the 82nd Airborne Division, currently based in Afghanistan.

Class of 1988 David E. Brigham

Glenn Walsh joined the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Boston on its fall trip to France to commemorate the 65th anniversary of D-Day. Also on the journey were Larry Will-werth ’66, Joe Milano ’63, and Ron Ledoux ’65. Glenn writes, “I was lucky enough to attend as a guest of my father’s and spend some time with a few fellow grads.” (See photo above.)

Class of 1991

CDR Brian Bowles and Linda Bowles announce the birth of their second son, Silas Henry, born September 1, 2009 in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. He joins older brother, Jasper, 10. Brian is CO of Naval Recruiting District for Michigan and Indiana.

LTC William McCollough, USMC, the commanding officer of 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, in the Nawa District of Helmand Province, has taken on the role of spokesperson for the United States Marine Corps in Afghanistan. Asked to detail his work on NBC News, CBS News, and CNN, he has been interviewed by the Wash-ington Post, Los Angeles Times and New York Times. He was quoted in a satellite phone inter-view as saying he sees U.S. strategy working in Helmand Province. “I know we’re winning here because we’re living among the people. I do know it’s working here.” He said the battal-ion’s mission is threefold: Clear the Taliban and position itself to prevent them from returning; build the economic capacity of the region; and build the capacity of the Afghan police and military to be able to maintain stability. He also said that although the majority of Afghans have different religious beliefs than most Americans, they’re really not that different from U.S. citi-zens. “They want safe schools, medicine when they’re sick and food on the table.”

Class of 1992

CDR George Doyon, USN took command of the USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) on December 12, 2009. The ship, home ported in Navy Amphib-ious Base in Little Creek, Va., is a 609-ft. dock landing ship that supports amphibious opera-tions, including landings via Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC), conventional landing craft, and helicopters. LSD 50s transport and launch amphibious craft and vehicles with their crews, and embark personnel in amphibious assault operations on hostile shores.

Class of 1994

Pierce Williams is a producer at High Angle Media, Inc., a Stowe-based sports multi-media holding company. Pierce received his B.S. in communica-tions from Norwich and an honorable discharge as a specialist from the Vermont National Guard in 1996. While at Norwich he won an Emmy for a project on the Mount Washington Hotel, and has received awards for Best Feature Videog-raphy and Best Feature Story from the Society of Professional Journalists. Pierce created a public access channel for the Mad River Valley and “Smugg’s TV” for Smugglers’ Notch Resort in Jeffersonville. His resume includes freelance work for ABC NY’s Good Morning America, and World News Tonight with Peter Jennings, NBC Sports, The Today Show, and Nightly News with Tom Brokaw, ESPN, OLN, Comedy Central, FOX Sports Net, PBS, and NESN.

Class of 1995

Virginia (Mann) Rosario and her husband, Tim Rosario ‘96 welcomed their third child, Javier Charles, on December 31, 2008. He joins brother TJ and sister Isabella.

Classes of 1963, 1965, 1966, 1988 The Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Boston in France commemorating the 65th anniversary of D-Day. From left: Larry Willwerth ‘66, Joe Milano ‘63, Franklin Simon, Glenn Walsh ‘88, and Ron Ledoux ‘65.

Read more class notes online by logging in to

www.alumni.norwich.edu. Contact the Alumni Office at

802.485.2019 for your “A” number.

Read the Record online at www.norwich.edu/about/

record/index.html

22 Norwich University Record/Winter 2010 www.alumni.norwich.edu

C L A S S N OTE S

Class of 1996 William R. Marks

Class of 1996

MAJ William R. Marks II, USAF received the Bronze Star and the Army Combat Action Badge after serving his second tour in Iraq.

Class of 1997 Omar A. Connor and his wife, Mandy, welcomed their first child, a beautiful baby girl, Alexis Bayleigh Connor, born November 22, 2009. Omar writes, “Both Mom and Alexis are doing just fine.”

Class of 1999 Kiley Johnston ‘99 wed Jerry Driscoll on May 9.

Class of 1999Kiley (Johnston) Driscoll and Jerry Driscoll were married May 9, 2009 in Wilmington, Mass. On hand to help them celebrate their nuptials were (l-r): Serena (Castagno) Lerner ‘97, Aaron Lerner, Jamie (Rasp) Monahan ‘01, Kate Devine, George Freeman ‘94, Nancy Quinlan, Saara (Atchue) Cox ‘97, Kelly (Busby) Graham, Kiley (bride), Jerry (groom), George Cox ‘95, and Steve DuPuis ‘98.

Peter Haytko III, a research biochemist, and his wife, Michele, a former librarian and current stay-at-home mother, welcomed twins Bobby and Maya on September 10, 2009. They join their heavenly siblings Nicholas, Sophia, and Alexander (triplets born prematurely in 2008 that did not survive) as the joy of their parents. Photos of all the Haytko children can be found at http://haytkobabies.blogspot.com; Peter and Michele can be reached at michele.haytko@gmail.com.

Class of 1999 Peter ’99 and Michele Haytko III with twins Bobby and Maya

Andrew Neill was recently promoted to full-time duty within the Hamilton (Mass.) police depart-ment. A reserve officer since 2001, Andrew has been working as a public safety officer at Gordon College in Wenham, Mass. He lives in Ipswich with his wife, Sarah, and their chil-dren, Connor and Elisabeth.

Class of 1999 Andrew Neill and family

Class of 2001

Kris Rowley ‘01 & M’06 is the system security director in the Department of Information and Innovation for the State of Vermont. In October she spoke about “Information security educa-tion versus security created with technology” at

the SC World Congress Conference. Kris writes, “I am excited and honored to have been asked.” Read more at www.scmagazineus.com/SCWC-Speakers/section/892/.

Class of 2002

Under the slogan, “Say YES to Florida’s Future,” Leo Cruz is seeking the District 33 seat in the Florida state house. He made his official announcement the week of July 4th for the November 2010 election.

Class of 2003

CPT Alicia Pruitt ‘03 & M‘06 and CPT Joseph Pruitt M‘10 announce the birth of their daughter, Abigail Louise, born at Winn Army Community Hospital, Fort Stewart, Georgia, on 23 October 2009. Alicia writes, “Abby arrived just in time to send her daddy off to Afghanistan in November. Mom and baby will remain at Hunter Army Airfield, Ga., through the deployment.” The family can be contacted at The_Pruitts_Ga@yahoo.com.

Class of 2003 Abigail Louise Pruitt

Class of 2005

Sean Rockwell, founder and CEO of Prime Athletics, a mixed martial arts (MMA) apparel business, won his professional MMA debut on a TKO in the first round. The victory took place in the cage at Cage Fighting Xtreme’s inau-gural “Battle Under the Stars,” held August 1 at Brockton’s Campanelli Stadium. Sean defeated professional fighter and business rival Fernando Rivera, owner of the Worcester-based Hoodlum Fight Gear, one of Prime Athletics’ biggest local competitors. Fans may have to wait a while for Sean’s next fight, however, as he says his life is “very full” right now, with a business to run, a wedding to plan, and a new wrestling season coming up. Sean is an assistant wrestling coach at Canton High School in Canton, Mass.

Jen (Bryan) Sugai writes, “Loving Arizona and the beautiful weather! We managed to meet some Norwich buddies down here whom we’d never actually met before, but we are now spending a lot of time with them. Great to have someone to talk Norwich with! Sending some sunny vibes your way.” Jen and husband Richard ‘06 have returned home to Vermont. Reach Jen at piratesgoyarr@gmail.com.

Class of 2006

CPT Jeff Laurendeau recently returned to Fort Riley, Ks. following a yearlong deployment in Iraq. Jeff writes, “I was a scout platoon leader for the majority of my deployment, and then transitioned to be the intelligence officer for my troop around March. During the deploy-ment I got promoted by General Odierno (MNFI Commander) through connections with my father-in-law, who was–and still is–in Baghdad. More importantly, when the unit that came to replace us arrived, I conducted relief in place operations with them (giving infor-mation to them about the environment, key leaders, enemy situation, etc.) and discovered that one of the guys relieving me was 2LT Scott Hall, a 2008 grad. Of all the places to meet another alum, and even more so, conduct relief operations with....small world.” Reach Jeff at jeff.laurendeau@us.army.mil.

Classes of 2006, 2008 Scott Hall ‘08 (left) and Jeff Larendeau ‘06 in Afghanistan

Class of 2009

Robert Owens is working at Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics in Walpole, Mass. as a manufacturing technician. Reach him at reowens@gmail.com.

Business Administration

Lisa Crockett M’06, a regional strategy analyst for Providence Health & Services, Washington/Montana Region, was named a Gold Winner in the MarCom Awards competition for a white paper she co-authored titled, “How New Payment Models Are Transforming Care Delivery.” The MarCom Awards is an inter-national awards competition recognizing outstanding achievement in marketing, commu-nications and related materials. It is adminis-tered and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals. Reach her at Lisa.Crockett@providence.org.

A Pediatric Surgeon in Iraq is the fierce, true-life account of Dr. Chris Coppola’s M’08 two deployments to Iraq as an Air Force pediatric surgeon. Twice stationed at Balad Air Base, 50 miles north of Baghdad, in what was first a M*A*S*H*-style tent hospital and later one of the largest U.S. military installations on foreign soil, Chris works feverishly to save the lives of soldiers and civilians as word spreads among Iraqi families that, no matter what the infirmity, he can save their children. Read more about the book and view a gripping video of the author at www.coppolathebook.com/.

Major Mark Popov M’08 commands the Canadian Battle Group Reconnaissance Squadron, Task Force Kandahar, Afghanistan. Mark writes, “If any Norwich grads are in the area, feel free to drop in!”

Class of 2008 Mark Popov

Richard Bilson M’06 was appointed to the posi-tion of special agent with the FBI. He began new agent training in January at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Va.

Business Continuity

CPT Joseph Pruitt M ‘10 and CPT Alicia Pruitt ‘03 & M’06 announce the birth of their daughter, Abigail Louise Pruitt, born 23 October 2009. (See photo this page.) The family can be contacted at The_Pruitts_Ga@yahoo.com.

Diplomacy

LTC Ernest A. Erlandson, USAR M’07 was promoted to colonel on October 16, 2009 in Farrell, Pa. Ernest, who serves in a civilian capacity as the supervisory staff administrator for the 475th Quartermaster Group, enlisted in February 1976 and was commissioned in May 1985 through Army ROTC at the University of Colorado, where he received his B.A. in history. In addition to his M.A. from Norwich, he holds a master of strategic studies from the Army War College in Carlisle, Pa.

Mark Elliot M’09 received a humanitarian award from the Maryland India Business Round Table. The Governor of Maryland presented the award to Mark for his service in helping bring a hospital ship to war torn countries. The ship provides 20,000 free dental and surgical procedures a year, as well as trains medical professionals and agriculture trainers, building clinics, wells and sanitation facilities. Learn more at www.mercyships.org.

Justice Administration

Chris Paes M’08 is stationed in Afghanistan with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). During off-duty hours he is an adjunct professor for Park University. His students are fellow Marines. Chris reports that he is busy now with final grades for his two courses, and notes, “The teaching is great.”

CPT Alicia Pruitt ‘03 & M’06 and her husband, CPT Joseph Pruitt M’10 announce the birth of their daughter, Abigail Louise. (See photo.) Abby arrived on 23 October 2009.

MSIA

Kris Rowley ‘01 & M’06 is the system security director in the Department of Information and Innovation for the State of Vermont. In October she spoke about “Information security educa-tion versus security created with technology” at the SC World Congress Conference. Kris writes, “I am excited and honored to have been asked.” Read more at www.scmagazineus.com/SCWC-Speakers/section/892/.

School of Graduate Studies Program Notes

www.norwich.edu Norwich University Record/Winter 2010 23

Class of 1940

George W. Glynn, 92, of Needham, Mass., died August 30, 2009. While attending Norwich he participated in drill team, golf team, and varsity foot-ball, and was a brother of Theta Chi. Following graduation, George served as a captain in the Army Air Corps in World War II. He was a member of the Nehoiden Masonic Lodge and Aleppo Shrine.

Class of 1950

Charles F. Roberts, 86, of Blacksburg, Va., died November 4, 2009. Charles earned a B.S. from Norwich and an M.S. from MIT. Following gradua-tion, Charles served as a meteorol-ogist in the Army Air Corps in the Pacific during World War II, and again with the Air Force during the Korean War. As a research meteorolo-gist, Charles served the U.S. Weather Service and the U.S. Forest Service, developing innovative systems to improve weather forecasting accu-racy for storm tracking analysis, farming applications, and forest fire fighting. His research was instru-mental in developing the probability forecasting techniques used today. In retirement he worked as a volunteer for the Montgomery County Humane Society.

Class of 1951

Richard “Dick” H. Emerson, 80, former Haverhill, Mass. businessman, died October 19, 2009. While attending Norwich, Dick was a brother of Sigma Nu, a member of the basketball team and an active participant in the Corps of Cadets. Following gradua-tion, Dick served with the U.S. Army as a tank unit commander during the

Korean War. Upon his discharge, he joined his father’s business, Emerson Box Company, later becoming presi-dent. When the business closed in 1986, Dick pursued a career in real estate. An avid Red Sox fan, he held season tickets for over 40 years, and was lucky enough to see the Red Sox win the title of World Champions twice.

Henry Merton Batchelder, Jr., 79, died September 24, 2009. At Norwich, Henry was a Distinguished Military Student, a member of the Corps of Cadets, and a brother of Lambda Chi Alpha. He graduated with a B.S. in chemistry, after which he served in Korea for five years. Following his military service he went to work for Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Bettis Atomic Power Lab, as an engi-neer of radiation safety. Henry later worked for Aerojet Nuclear Company in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Class of 1952

LTC James Donald “Don” Cashman, 80, of Olympia Wa., died November 6, 2009. While at Norwich, James participated in rifle team, varsity club, Newman club, cheerleading and Pegasus Players. He was also a Sigma Nu brother. Don left school his senior year. Before leaving, he took his military exam and was commissioned as a reserve officer, requesting to be called to active duty. In February 1956, he returned to Norwich, taking on eight classes and wearing his officer’s uniform. Don graduated with a bachelor’s in English and went on to serve 25 years in the Army.

Class of 1955

George F. McRoberts, Jr., 78, of Seattle, Wa., died October 11, 2009. An active student at Norwich, George managed the football, basketball and baseball teams. He was a member of the chess club and the Canterbury club. George was also a Lambda Chi Alpha brother, assuming many responsibilities within the fraternity. Following graduation with a B.S. in mechanical engineering, George worked for a short time at Minneap-olis-Honeywell’s Micro Switch Divi-sion, before moving on to Texas Instruments, Inc. as a sales engineer for their Semiconductor Compo-nents Division in Dallas. George took an executive position with Sangamo Electric Company in Washington, D.C. in 1970.

Class of 1996

Major Samuel Carson Leigh, USMC, 35, of Waterville, Maine, died October 29, 2009, in an aerial collision over the ocean near San Diego, Calif. While at Norwich, Samuel partici-pated in the Corps of Cadets and was a member of Foxtrot Company. He graduated with a B.A. in history and was commissioned as a second lieu-tenant with the Marines. Samuel was a 13-year veteran, having served in Atlanta and San Diego, and two tours of duty in Iraq. He was very dedicated and driven to join the service from a young age. In his Norwich yearbook, he quotes Theodore Roosevelt: “Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.”

Class of 2006

CAPT Luke D. Yustin, USA, 25, of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 4th Avia-tion Regiment, out of Fort Hood, Texas, died as a result of injuries sustained in a motorcycle acci-dent on September 26, 2009. Luke earned an Army ROTC scholarship to Norwich and graduated cum laude with a B.A. in history. While at Norwich, Luke traveled to Germany on an exchange, worked as an EMT for Northfield Emergency Services, and played the carillon. Upon gradu-ation, he commissioned as a second lieutenant in Army and completed advanced aircraft qualification in the CH-47D Chinook and the newly fielded F Model. Assigned to Fort Hood as Delta Company platoon leader from December 2007 to December 2008 Luke deployed with the 2nd Battalion, 4th Aviation Regi-ment in May 2008 to June 2009 to Camp Taji, Iraq, in support of Multi-National Division Baghdad. Among his many awards and decorations, he was awarded the Army Air medal and promoted to captain in June 2009. Luke was a member of the Fort Hood Freedom Riders and enjoyed riding his Harley and driving his GTO. An active Republican, he had intentions of entering politics upon completion of his military career.

Faculty

George R. Turner, member of the faculty from 1959 – 1991, died peace-fully at home on October 8, 2009. Having enlisted in the U.S. Navy with the world at war, he participated in the Battle of the North Atlantic and subsequent campaigns in the Medi-terranean, including the invasion of North Africa, the assault on Sicily,

the invasion of Italy at Salerno and the attack on Anzio. He returned to active duty for three years during the Korean War. George earned a bach-elor’s degree in English from Dart-mouth College, a master’s in educa-tion from Fitchburg State Univer-sity, and a professional diploma in English teaching from Colombia University. He taught high school English and coached baseball and drama in Aruba, then joined the English faculty at Norwich in 1959. He served in succession as theatre director, director of public relations, and sports information director. As a teacher, he mined his military career to develop such courses as Military Literature and Literature of the Sea. George had a strong interest in jour-nalism as well, writing articles for such national publications as Sports Digest, Athletic Journal, and Time. During his tenure as a professor, George played a highly active role in the Humanities Department, and was a driving force in communica-tions, including WNUB. In 2008, he and his beloved wife Ann, Univer-sity Librarian Emerita, were honored by the establishment of a scholar-ship in their names. As described by Dr. Loring Hart when awarding him an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, he also “established himself as a formidable golfer, dedi-cated caretaker of birds and animals, and raconteur extraordinaire.” In 1991 he retired and became professor emeritus of English, continuing to teach for many years. Among his many honors, George was awarded the Board of Fellows Outstanding Service Medallion for his service to Norwich, and was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 1985.

I N M E M O R IAM Complete obituaries of the following can be found at www.alumni.norwich.edu/memorialannounce

The Unforgettable George TurnerBy Diana L. Weggler

I count myself among those very blessed folks who had the privilege of knowing Mr. George R. Turner.

I cherish the memory of our first meeting. It was in the fall of 2001, shortly after my arrival at Norwich. I was attending the opening faculty/staff reception at Woodbury Hall. My husband had just been hired to be the rugby coach at Norwich, and I was starting a part-time position in public affairs.

I think George must have realized I was new in town, because he came up to me and started talking. Within a short time we established that we shared many things in common, among them: we were both raised in Massachusetts; we both held English degrees from Ivy League schools; we were both journalists by trade; he and my father had worked for the same publishing company; and we both loved sports.

He made a deep impression on me. I know this because I can remember what he was wearing: a pale blue suit. I also remember his voice, his hands, his laugh. I recall his impec-cably combed, snow-white “Brill Cream” hair and natty tie, and how he took his handker-chief out of his pocket and wiped the crumbs from his mouth left by the hors d’oeuvres he was eating. I especially remember his delight in making my acquaintance, and his utter (or perhaps feigned but nonetheless very flattering) disbelief when I told him I had a child in college. He was charming, outspoken, and colorful—in a word, unforgettable.

In the ensuing weeks, months and years, I got to know George a little better. Shortly after that first encounter he sent me a large, manila envelope containing clippings of photos and news releases from his years as director of public affairs and sports information at Norwich. Among them, his famous Solzenitsyn tennis photo, and another of some Norwich engi-neering students ostensibly launching a mouse into outer space, that had made the rounds on the AP wire “I’d send them this stuff and they’d actually publish it!” he laughed, during a follow-up phone call.

From then on, at every Norwich function I attended, such as Board of Fellows medallion dinners, faculty/staff receptions, or Sullivan Museum exhibit openings, I would seek him out. He was never hard to find, always gesticulating animatedly to one or more people who listened with rapt attention as he regaled them with Norwich lore. Upon greeting me he

would give me a huge hello, and ask me about my life. Similarly, whenever I stopped by his home at 68 Winter Street, to return a photograph I had borrowed or to drop off the latest issue of The Record, he would invite me in, insist that I sit down, offer me something to drink, and ask me what was new. His beloved wife, Ann, whom always he referred to as “mother,” would serve me a glass of iced tea, and take a seat on the couch, framed by two Siamese cats. For the next hour or so, George would give me his undivided attention, as we talked sports: the Red Sox, the historic Dartmouth-Cornell “fifth down” play, legendary coaches such as Ned Harkness and Bob Blackman, the Norwich football team, and every-thing in between. He had a way of making me feel special, never failing to ask me what I was doing, how my husband’s rugby team was faring, how we were getting along at Norwich, if we liked our jobs, and if we were being treated well by the University.

On several occasions I called him on the phone, and he always seemed genuinely delighted to hear from me. As editor of the Norwich Record (another thing we shared in common), I was usually calling to mine his memory for factoids about people and events for an article I was writing. I knew I could count on George to divulge details no one else knew (even if I couldn’t always quote him directly). For the next several minutes I would scribble furiously as George did what he always did best—told a story the way only he could, often laughing so hard he could barely get the words out. I am sure part of his pleasure was the knowledge that his audience was hearing the tale for the first time.

That was George’s talent—making you feel as though you were the most important person on the planet at that particular moment. It didn’t matter if it had been a year or a week since we had last seen or spoken to each other, he treated me as if I were his long lost best friend. I’d like to think it was because, as a fellow member of the Fourth Estate, he felt a certain kinship with me, or because we understood each other’s passion for sports, or because, in elementary school, I had learned how to spell using books he had authored. But the truth is, it wasn’t any one of these things, or even a combination of them. It was simply the fact that George treated everyone that way.

I remember the last time I saw George. One day last summer I stopped by his house during my lunch hour. I needed to get home and walk my dog, so I had not planned on staying long. Of course, George had other ideas. He insisted, as always, that I sit down. And of course, because he was George, I did. In retrospect, had I known it was the last time I would ever see him, I would have stayed all afternoon, listening to his stories, asking him questions, absorbing every expletive, laughing until tears came out of my eyes.

Instead I must be satisfied with what I have—cherished memories of fleeting moments in the presence of an unforgettable human being. I’ll miss you George.

NORWICH UNIVERSITY158 HARMON DRIVENORTHFIELD, VT 05663

NON-PROFITORGANIZATIONU. S. POSTAGE

PAIDBurlington, VTPermit No. 19

Norwich’s “100 Years of Hockey” celebration took place the weekend of December 4 – 6, 2009. More than 80 former players returned to the Hill to reminisce, reconnect, and rejoice in the game they love. On Friday, attendees cheered on the Cadets men’s and women’s teams in beautiful Kreitzberg Arena, followed by a post-game pizza party. On Saturday, it was time to lace up the blades for two exciting alumni games featuring players from the past six decades, followed by a luncheon. That afternoon it was more Cadets hockey and a post-game buffet. On Sunday a memorable brunch was held in Plumley Armory featuring special guests Bob Priestley, George Commo, and Toza Cernilovic ’04. View more photos from the weekend at www.alumni.norwich.edu.

All photos by D. Weggler