Paul Meier
In my personal life, Norwich really helped me understand the meaning and application of the cardinal virtues — courage, honesty, temperance, and wisdom — to every aspect of my life. It also taught me what it means to have true friends and to always live every day to the fullest.
~ Paul Meier
Place of employment, job title and brief description of duties
The Steadman-Hawkins Clinic, Vail, CO — Director of Athletic Training Services — Summit County
I currently work as a clinical athletic trainer for a group of orthopedic surgeons seeing patients in the office with the physicians, assisting in surgery, providing outreach coverage to some local sporting events, as well as travel with the US Ski Team during the season providing sports medicine coverage.
Can you recall what made you choose Norwich for your higher education?
My baseball coach (Tony DiLeva) was an alumnus and told me about Norwich after I mentioned that I was interested in West Point. Norwich had a fine sports medicine program that interested me and once I visited campus I knew that Norwich was a perfect fit.
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 did visit Norwich with my parents for an open house and felt very comfortable on campus. The architecture and setting in central Vermont is spectacular and immediately I knew that Norwich was right for me. I told my parents on the trip home that I was going to attend Norwich and I didn’t even have to go visit any other schools.
If you could choose one word to describe Norwich and your time spent here, what would it be and why?
Unique — There are a lot of words that come to mind but I think Norwich offers such a unique environment with both the Corps and civilian students on campus, excellent academic programs, a strong alumni foundation, a beautiful campus and facilities, dedicated professors and staff, and leadership opportunities that you cannot find elsewhere in any college or university in the country.
Norwich makes you challenge yourself if every possible way and you will have so many opportunities that make you a better person in every aspect of your life.
~ Paul Meier
How has your Norwich education benefited you in your personal life? Professionally?
In my personal life, Norwich really helped me understand the meaning and application of the cardinal virtues – courage, honesty, temperance, and wisdom — to every aspect of my life. It also taught me what it means to have true friends and to always live every day to the fullest.
Professionally, Norwich not only gave me a tremendous amount of leadership experience that has been invaluable in my career so far but it also focused me on where I wanted to go and made me strive for the top. Coming out of Norwich I was better prepared than my peers with my sports medicine background and my sense of responsibility that Norwich taught me.
What would you say to a prospective student contemplating attending Norwich for their higher education?
I would recommend Norwich without reservation but would let them know that the experience would not be easy but the journey would be well worth it. Norwich makes you challenge yourself if every possible way and you will have so many opportunities that make you a better person in every aspect of your life.
Is there any one memory from your time at Norwich that you feel characterizes the school and its values?
Junior Ring Ceremony — From day one at Norwich you see and hear about the Norwich Ring. It is a goal that seems so far away as a Rook but you know that those who earn the ring have succeeded and represent the Norwich name. The words courage, honesty, temperance, and wisdom are inscribed on the ring and those are the values that you take with you forever. Your Rook buddies, classmates, and peers are alongside of you as your put your ring on for the first time just like they were on day one and will be there forever if you ever need them. The eing is a symbol that will always remind me of what I accomplished at Norwich and the challenges that I faced and overcame which have turned me into who I am today.
As an alumnus, can you describe a favorite tradition that occurred at Norwich in your time that continues on campus today?
See above — Junior Ring.
Parents’ Weekend — It is the first time to show your parents how Norwich has made you a better person and for them to experience one of the many Norwich traditions. The weeks building up to Norwich are filled with activities and anticipation as Parents— Weekend approaches. It is the first opportunity for a Rook to leave campus and relax away from the Cadre for a bit. One thing that really amazed me was how many local families from Northfield took in Rooks whose parents were not able to attend. Whether they were Alumni or not, the support of the community to give each and every Rook a home for the weekend was incredible and speaks volumes on how deep the Norwich connection is.
When was the last time you visited Norwich? What was the biggest change you noticed on campus?
With graduate school, my fellowship, and my travels with the US Ski Team throughout the world, I haven’t been back to Norwich since the spring of 2002. Campus looked very similar when I was there but I am looking forward to getting back to The Wick and seeing all of the changes that have happened on campus.
