9/11 flag planting, Space Force oath ceremony highlight busy week on campus
History had its eye on us and we on it as we studied, gathered and learned together this past week (and slightly before).
On Sept. 4, before we headed into the Labor Day weekend, Norwich marked the 200th anniversary of the Sept. 4, 1820, enrollment of students. Archives Associate Sarah Durham highlighted correspondence from university founder Capt. Alden Partridge that described early cadets’ interactions.
Speaking of cadets, military labs started for ROTC students Tuesday. Photographer Mark Collier’s lens captured the Army and Air Force ROTC cadets during their first lab sessions of the semester; cadets greeted their leaders, met squads and heard expectations for the semester. These labs are one way our students learn to lead.
On Thursday, Air Force ROTC Detachment 867’s own Capt. James Olsen (a Norwich University alumnus) transitioned from the U.S. Air Force to the U.S. Space Force.
On Thursday, Air Force ROTC Detachment 867’s own Capt. James Olsen (a Norwich University alumnus) transitioned from the U.S. Air Force to the U.S. Space Force.
This transition was finalized at 11:30 a.m. EDT, as Norwich University President Mark Anarumo, who retired from the Air Force as a colonel in August, administered Olsen’s oath. Olsen, who teaches aerospace studies at Norwich, became the first Space Force officer to take his or her oath in Vermont, and is also the lone Space Force officer stationed in the state.
On Thursday night, many members of the Corps joined other students, some from the Politeia political science club to plant miniature U.S. flags to honor the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Cadets interviewed said they joined the effort to honor the dead and to unify.
“I believe it is of utmost importance to remember the extraordinary heroism, fortitude, and unity from that day,” said Olivia Kelliher, a junior mechanical engineering major and cadet.
Looking at landmarks
Two campus landmarks neared anniversaries.
The Bicentennial Stairs, cousin to the Centennial Stairs, neared their first year in full use. The Bicentennial Stairs were dedicated in September 2019 during the bicentennial Homecoming weekend and were built with money from the five-year Forging the Future Campaign.
Forging the Future ended Dec. 31, 2019, and raised more than $121 million, exceeding its $100 million goal.
Mack Hall, a $24 million building also built with Forging the Future money, houses a 400-seat auditorium, interactive classrooms, case-study spaces, pocket lounges, digital forensics and cybersecurity research labs. It also has the $1.6 million Thaddeus Buczko Cyber War Room. The building is named for lead donors Robert Mack ’64 H ’06 and Tammie Mack, who pledged $5 million. The building had its official unveiling on Sept. 13, 2018.
Mack’s auditorium is where a limited number of socially distanced members of Norwich’s Student Government Association met Wednesday for an open forum discussion with President Mark C. Anarumo.
Looking toward futures, the Norwich’s Career and Internship Center touted plans for Careerpalooza, a monthlong virtual event in October that will connect Norwich students with employee-seeking companies and job recruiters.
Coming up
In the week ahead, we’ll recap the virtual Commencement ceremony, which will run Saturday. President Emeritus Richard W. Schneider will deliver the keynote address for the 2 p.m. event, which was postponed from May because of the coronavirus pandemic.
To coincide with Commencement, the building known as Webb/North Hall will be renamed Schneider Hall. A renaming ceremony will run at 11:45 a.m. Saturday.
The coming week will bring a virtual Introduction to Norwich webinar from the Admissions Office. The event, from 9 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, will deliver information on the university’s academic programs, athletics, financial aid, the Corps of Cadets and more. Click here to register.
And click here to see the full photo gallery from Sept. 10.
(Slideshow photos by Mark Collier.)
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