Hans Hulsebos
They say that home is where the heart is, and it feels that although I may advance in my career and obtain many honors along the way, I will never again feel that I belong somewhere as much as I did when I attended Norwich.
~ Hans Hulsebos
Can you recall what made you choose Norwich for your higher education?
I choose Norwich for three reasons: extremely competent faculty who feel their primary purpose is to educate their students and are willing to spent countless hours to further their students educational and career goals, the rigors of living in a military environment, playing for a Division I rugby team.
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?
I visited Norwich before matriculating. My first impression was that it was just the right place for me.
If you could choose one word to describe Norwich and your time spent here, what would it be and why?
Home. They say that home is where the heart is, and it feels that although I may advance in my career and obtain many honors along the way, I will never again feel that I belong somewhere as much as I did when I attended Norwich.
How has your Norwich education benefited you in your personal life? Professionally?
My Norwich education taught me to never feel intimidated by another person, neither physically nor intellectually. As a graduate student at Georgetown University many of my fellows had attended Ivy League universities and I found myself competing at their level, also as I continue my career as a rugby player I find myself still able to play in a Division I men’s League.
Norwich is an institution that does not care who you are or where you came from, it demands everyone behave as a responsible adult. Lessons like this prepared me to never rest on my laurels, that I needed to take the right actions every day, not just when they were convenient.
~ Hans Hulsebos
What would you say to a prospective student contemplating attending Norwich for their higher education?
I would tell them that they will get out of Norwich whatever they put into it — that they should take the time to appreciate how great their fellow students, staff and faculty are. I would also tell them that it was the best money that I had ever spent.
Is there any one memory from your time at Norwich that you feel characterizes the school and its values?
Norwich’s values are courage, honesty, temperance and wisdom. However I found that Norwich’s real value is that it is an institution of action. One memory that I have of Norwich would be during the fall after our rugby team was ranked at the top 10 in the country. I and some senior players got in trouble for an event that occurred involving freshman players. Unlike other universities we were expected to behave like leaders and were duly treated for our misbehavior. Norwich is an institution that does not care who you are or where you came from, it demands everyone to behave as a responsible adult. Lessons like this prepared me to never rest on my laurels, that I needed to take the right actions every day, not just when they were convenient.
As an alumnus, can you describe a favorite tradition that occurred at Norwich in your time that continues on campus today?
When I was a student my two favorite events were the snow sculptures during winter carnival and the UP 500. Neither of these events still occur at Norwich. I can see why the UP 500 is no longer happening, however the snow sculptures should be brought back.
