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The Norwich GuidonThe Norwich Guidon, student newspaper of Norwich University, is published twice monthly and has won numerous awards for excellence in its class. Reporters, editors, and managers for The Norwich Guidon are students at the university who work under the guidance of a Communications faculty advisor. Student editors learn electronic pagination using state of the art computer equipment. If you have any questions or comments about the paper, please contact Professor Ken Bush at kbush@norwich.edu. |
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In The NewsFebruary 13, 2003 One family's history at NUPart 1Editor's Note: This is the first of a three-part series looking at the impact of Norwich University on one family By Scott Craven The most recent member of the family to attend Norwich is Meegan Kelley. Meegan, 19, is currently a sophomore and is the first of the females in her family to join the Corps of Cadets. Michael, 50, and JoAnn Kelley, 50, Meegan's parents, both graduated in the Class of 1974 and were married in August of 1975. Michael's brother, Paul Kelley, 48, was a graduate two years later of
the Class of 1976, and JoAnn's brother David, 43, and his wife Elizabeth
Murphy, 42, graduated with the Class of 1982 and married a year later
in October 1983. Later, at a time when the Corps of Cadets was accepting women, but had
very few, Elizabeth Murphy had the opportunity to join but chose not to.
The earliest and first to complete four years at Norwich was Michael Kelley. Michael had also applied to VMI and West Point, which were his first hopes, but explains he was glad he came to Norwich. "There was just something about a military school that had an interest with me," he said. "However, I think it was fortuitous the way it ended up, because I had a much better experience in the long haul at Norwich." Learning the "importance of military service" from his father,
who served in the National Guard and also during WWII, Michael said that
his real interest in Norwich came from an older alumnus for whom he did
yard work while he was in high school. He said what really "cemented the deal" was receiving an ROTC scholarship from the Army Department. "Money was kind of tight in my family at the time, and I probably couldn't have gone to Norwich had I not gotten it," he said. "I was also fascinated that Norwich was one of the first schools in the country to have civil engineering major." Starting out as a rook, Michael couldn't recall which company he was in. "It was either E or F," he said. "However, I do remember that my room was on the top floor of Goodyear, somewhere in the middle facing the UP [Upper Parade ground]." His sophomore year, he remained on the same floor but moved down to the end of the hall into Headquarters Company, where he served as the regimental runner. "I knew I wanted to be cadre," he said, and according to Michael, although he wasn't directly involved with the freshmen, he said his job was still referred to as a "cadre" position. Following that path, he assumed the position of command sergeant major his junior year, and was chosen to be the regimental commander his senior year. He admits that even he would have laughed if you told him he would be cadet colonel someday. He contributes a lot of his success to one of the past commandants, John Wadsworth. "He was a very special leader, and I think I learned an awful lot about what it means to be a leader just from watching him," he said. "One of my biggest goals as cadet colonel was trying to keep the senior class together," he said. Another thing he appreciated about the experience was the opportunity to see the rooks grow over the course of the year. "Not from a harassing point of view, but really seeing their personal development," he explained. Michael also admits that, "not everyone is your friend when you're that position," but he was really glad to see that everything was put behind him when he returned to his fifth year reunion. "I thought that was very powerful," he said. "I know many regimental commanders that have not come back for that reason alone, and I'm just glad that I didn't take that approach." Michael and his wife have attended all their reunions except for their fifteenth, which they missed because they were in Germany at the time. "I still enjoy coming back," he said. "I would hate to miss that camaraderie and sense of togetherness." Michael is happy to see that this camaraderie still exists within the school and sees many improvements in the way the Corps is run. "Compared to the rest of the military schools, Norwich is by and large run by the Corps of Cadets. I think that's a very special part of what Norwich does," said Michael. "I think I left Norwich better prepared to be on my own in a variety of ways." Along with the good, though, Michael is disappointed to see some of the traditions of the past disappear. "I'm turned off by the harassment that I hear about," he said. "I don't think it serves a purpose." According to Michael, he used to be a member of the Skull and Swords. "I am upset by the bad reputation the Skulls and Swords have received in the recent years," he said. Michael was one of the many alumni that wrote a letter to the school after hearing about the society's recent troubles. "I was personally sorry to see it change from something that helped people, to something which I perceive to be very different now." According to Michael he was often tied down by his Corps duties and academics, but aside from that he said he found time for intramurals and other activities. "I wasn't big on sports, but I do remember playing flag football and things like that," he said. Also active with the ROTC program, Michael said he was part of the Mountain Cold Weather Club, which they referred to as "Hilly Chilly" at the time. "I wasn't much of an outdoorsman," he said, "but I really liked it." Also expanding his horizons, Michael remembers being part of the Norwich
Independent Battery. "I wasn't too involved my senior year; it was
mostly my sophomore and junior year," he said. One distinct memory
he has of that was Cadet Dassatti's accident with the James Guns which
occurred on the day of his graduation. One of the traditions that all rooks share in is the Dog River run. Sort of a benchmark to the end of "rook week," the entire regiment concludes the day's activities by marching through the Dog River, each rook collecting a rock to keep as a memory of their experience over the next four years. This tradition that so many are used to was actually started by Michael his senior year as regimental commander. "It was a hot day, and we were on our way back from Dole farm and decided to let everybody cool off, so I ordered the regiment to march through the Dog River, and I guess that's where it started," he said. Also, joking about the incident, he remembers that a few of the upperclassmen decided to take off their clothes and go skinny dipping, which a few of the overlooking townspeople caught a glimpse of. "That was my first apology letter to the town," he said, laughing. Talking about the changes at Norwich, Michael was a sophomore when the school merged with Vermont College. "At the time, women could only be civilians, but I'm very glad to see that the Corps is accepting them, now," he said. One of those women is his daughter, Meegan. "They did it somewhat gracefully, I think, unlike the other prestigious military schools, who tried to fight it," he said. Michael's brother, Paul, who was two years behind him in the Corps, felt the same way. "I loved it, and not from the standpoint that, oh great, now I don't have to go to Vermont College to get a date," said Paul. "The female cadets came in my junior year, and I knew I better start getting used to it, because women were now in our Army, and I would have to learn to work with a woman in uniform, and potentially an equal." Michael thought it was strange at first, not just for the women, but for them, too. "There was never any open hostility, though. The only time I remember a disagreement was when we were deciding the order of graduation," he said. "It was more of a question about who would march in first and who would march in second." According to Paul, "it's all about how a school moves and adapts to the changing environment to provide the best possible educational experience, and that was what Norwich did." Since leaving Norwich, Michael fulfilled his military obligation with the Corps of Engineers for four years, and has spent the last 22 years in the Medical Service Corps. He is currently finishing his active duty time at West Point as an academic instructor and the Director of Environmental Geography. As soon as his time is up with the Army, he said that if the opportunity presents itself he would very much like the chance to pursue a second career at Norwich. |
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Nine Norwich student Reservists receive orders as part of nationwide National Guard activiation NU students continue chewing tobacco despite dangers McIntyre to teach leadership classes each week NU students tackle Green Mountain Experience in Vermont outdoors Shock Platoon prepares for spring competitions Muzzleloader hunting requires unique skills, experience Area resorts offer low, special rates for college students Students find workstudy in library pleasant environment Foxtrot company hosts dining in at Milano Ballroom Alumni Assoc, office provide guidance for graduating seniors Equipment room functions to help sports teams with supplies |
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Norwich,
the oldest private military college in the nation, is a school with many
traditions. For one family, Norwich has been a home to five members, spanning
two generations, and resulting in two marriages. 
Starting
in 1970, Michael surprised even himself, climbing the chain of command
from freshman "rookdom" to the leader of the troops as cadet
regimental commander his senior year.