I just had the sad privilege of attending Trustee Ben Simeone's funeral. Ben was a graduate of the class of '52 and an outstanding hockey player during his time at Norwich. His older brother, Chub, is also a Norwich graduate. I wish all of our students, faculty, and staff could have attended his memorial service. His oldest son, Bill, spoke about his father in ways that I know each of us would hope that our children could speak about us at the time of our death.

Ben was the epitome of a Norwich graduate - a loving and dutiful father and husband, a wonderful business leader, and a steady supporter of charities and community service. You read the details of his life in a recent campus notice. What was not adequately expressed there, and what many of you never get to see, is how much our Trustees love our University and care about you as students. Ben and his brother Chub clearly had a fabulous time when they were students here at Norwich, and their friendships and the bonds which they forged as students continue to this day. My wish for each of you is that you might have such a love affair with your institution and that when you graduate you could continue to support the faculty and students who will be present at Norwich, just as Ben Simeone has done all his life.

Graduation is just around the corner for our seniors. We recently completed our senior salute, and the clock is ticking quickly until reading day, the start of exams, the departure of the underclassmen, and then the culmination of the seniors' Norwich experience at Commencement.

This is a special time of year - if and when spring ever comes!! Enjoy the time. Juniors, enjoy the ring ceremony and Junior Weekend, and all of you, help each other, support each other and enjoy your time together. It all passes far too quickly.

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