Doscinski retires; commandant search begins

By Joshua Turman
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

After four years leading the Norwich corps of cadets, Col. Leonard E. Doscinski, commandant of cadets, will retire at the end of this semester.

A 1964 Norwich graduate, Doscinski replaced Col. Craig R. Lind as commandant in 1997 with the intent to remain as commandant for only four years.

"I wanted to have four years to achieve some of the goals that I wanted to achieve," Doscinski said. "I wanted to build on what my predecessors had done as far as improving the discipline and pride of the corps."

According to Jodie Quinn, secretary to the commandant, Doscinski has made a positive impact on the corps of cadets and has achieved many of his goals.

"He has certainly had a wonderful impact on the corps and taking it forward to achieving the professionalism and training goals that had been established about eight years ago," Quinn said. "He has been dedicated to that, improving the standards of the corps. Accountability and responsibility have been his theme words for the past four years, and we've all seen a big difference; but it's a big job."

Michael Abraham, assistant commandant of cadets since July of 1996 and newly promoted to chief of security, said that Doscinski has improved the training in the corps.

"If you look at this past year, the freshmen have done more training since I've been here," Abraham said. "They've had three, six, and nine-mile hikes, the rappel tower, climbing wall, and high ropes course. They're physically doing more than has ever been done through the commandant's office."

Abraham explained that that during Docinski's tenure he always put the school first before his own interests. "(Docinski) always puts the university and the students first, and I think the cadet response shows that, and most cadets respect him for that."

"I think Col. Doscinski has done a fabulous job as our commandant of cadets," said Norwich president Richard W. Schneider. "I think each year under his leadership the corps has gotten more professional.

"I think he's been fair, he's very balanced, he's very even-tempered, he has to say 'no' sometimes or make tough rulings," Schneider continued. "But it's not easy being the commandant, and I think he's done a great job for the corps."

Schneider plans to modify the position of commandant after Doscinski retires by creating a new position called commandant and vice president for student life.

"The commandant will span both the corps of cadets and civilian students, all under one person," Schneider said. "I see it as a strengthening of the position and it also saves the university two positions, which helps hold down the cost of the university."

A committee will be formed to search for a replacement for Doscinski. Schneider said as far as membership on the committee, he is looking for sophomores and juniors; he is going to ask for some civilian student involvement, and also faculty and staff involvement.

"Now that we are in the process of selling Vermont College, I'm putting a lot more focus and energy to my residential students," Schneider said. "It gives me an opportunity to restructure the commandant's position to look for someone who can be an advocate for all of the students, both corps and civilian, who has experience in both areas of military and traditional student life."

The new commandant must possess at least a master's degree in higher education, experience in the military, three to five years of student affairs experience, and other leadership and communications skills.

"This position is accountable for the morale, welfare, discipline, and training for the self-governing corps of cadets and for all student life functions for our civilian students," Schneider wrote in a recent memo concerning the change.

The administration plans a national search to fill the position and expects more than 200 applicants. The committee will screen the applicants and select three or four to interview for the position.

Schneider said he is hopeful that a new commandant will be hired by as early as June 1.

"The job is one of the most important jobs of the university," Schneider said. "It is a very intense job, and takes a lot out of guy, and I think Col. Doscinski has done a wonderful job."

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