Annual parade recognizes corps academic achievements

By Michael McIntyre
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

It is long-standing tradition in the Norwich Corps of Cadets to recognize and celebrate special events with a parade. Veterans Day, Corps recognition, and junior ring ceremony are just a few examples. But a special parade was held in Shapiro Field House Friday, Jan. 19.

One parade, however, focuses exclusively on the academic achievements of the cadets.

"The academic parade is a parade for the corps where we recognize academic excellence," said Col. Leonard Doscinski, Commandant of Cadets.

"The Corps gets accused often of not emphasizing academics," Doscinski said.

"This is one of the things we started a few years ago to place more emphasis on academics and to reward those students who are doing well academically."

The academic parade consists of a ceremony in which cadets who have achieved high academic success during a semester receive a certificate and a ribbon to wear on their uniform.

The heads of each academic department hand out three different ribbons. One is for students who have acquired a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) or higher. The other is given to those cadets who received a 3.5 GPA or higher. The third award, which is the highest award, is handed out to students who have received a 4.0 GPA.

Matthew Wernert, 19, a freshman criminal justice major from East Point, Mich. received a 3.77 GPA during the fall semester. Wernert attributes his success to mandatory freshman study hall.

Freshman cadets are required to attend study hall for two hours each weeknight. This requirement lasts for the entire year, regardless of individual GPAs.

Wernert is no stranger to academic success, having maintained high honors all four years of high school.

According to Phillip Newman, 18, a freshman political science major from Galeville, Ala., the discipline and time management skills learned in study hall are a key ingredient for success.

Newman, who is Wernert's roommate, said the 4.0 GPA he earned last semester is also due to having a roommate with similar classes.

But overall it seems that study hall is the main reason for grade improvement.

"Most kids in high school don't have to study, so freshmen when they come here, their biggest problem is they need to learn how to study," said Stephanie Cooper, 21, an English and criminal justice double major from Watertown, Mass. "So they are given those allotted two hours each weeknight where they have to study."

Cooper, who has always maintained a GPA above 3.0, hopes to attend law school after graduating from Norwich.

Just attending study hall, however, doesn't work for everybody.

"You have to use your time to the fullest, always work hard, and do not be lazy," Wernert said.

Last semester 103 cadets received a 3.5 GPA or higher, while 213 cadets earned a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Assistant Commandant Major Michael Abraham said that he wished "we could get the entire corps up there."

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