Sean Stockwell
Place of employment, job title and brief description of duties?
Currently a first-year veterinary student At Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine hoping to pursue a commission in the US Army Veterinary Corp upon graduating with a DVM.
The discipline offered by Norwich has been priceless as a veterinary student both in and out of the classroom. The professors did a first-class job preparing me for a professional education program and service profession.
~ Sean Stockwell
Can you recall what made you choose Norwich for your higher education?
I wanted more from an education than most schools had to offer. The Corp of Cadets helped me to develop leadership skills, self discipline, and life-long physical fitness objectives. The sense of honor, integrity, and duty to God, country, family, and lastly self that is embodied in the Corp of Cadets training philosophy, put Norwich Corp graduates leaps and bounds beyond any other institution.
Did you visit Norwich before matriculating? Can you remember what your first impression of the school was? If you did not visit the campus, can you remember what your arrival experience was like?
Yes. The professional and respectful manner in which the cadets conducted themselves was a great first impression.
If you could choose one word to describe Norwich and your time spent here, what would it be and why?
Professionalism. Norwich provides the opportunity to make all the mistakes that you normally would make in the professional world as a junior employee but with minimal consequences.
The tremendous concern shown for a fellow cadet has always been impressive to me. You truly are a family.
~ Sean Stockwell
How has your Norwich education benefited you in your personal life? Professionally?
The discipline offered by Norwich has been priceless as a veterinary student both in and out of the classroom. The professors did a first-class job preparing me for a professional education program and service profession.
What would you say to a prospective student contemplating attending Norwich for their higher education?
Do it. You never learn to swim unless you jump in the water, and at Norwich at least you have lifeguards in your Cadre and Rook buddies. Never quit! It will be the worst decision you ever made.
Is there any one memory from your time at Norwich that you feel characterizes the school and its values?
In order to gain 100-percent accountability a formation was called at 0500 Sunday morning when a freshman was found intoxicated at the base of Paine [Mountain]. Even though there was initial grumbling from the Corp, when the reason for the formation was disseminated the grumbling stopped and concern set in. The tremendous concern shown for a fellow cadet has always been impressive to me. You truly are a family.
As an alumnus, can you describe a favorite tradition that occurred at Norwich in your time that continues on campus today?
The yearly traditions, such as Alumni and Parents weekends, Recognition, Rook Arrival Day, Regimental Ball, Junior Ring Weekend, Change of Command Ceremony, and the UP500. Other un-official traditions were nights at the Rustic and the Fiddler’s Green, and the end-of-the-season Cross Country events.
