Pritzker Military Museum & Library and the Sullivan Museum and History Center present author talk by journalist Elizabeth Becker
A discussion of barrier-smashing women journalists who covered the Vietnam War, a presentation on Palestine’s theater and food, Admissions Office informational sessions and the Spring 2021 Norwich Record alumni magazine’s arrival highlight Norwich University’s schedule this week.
From noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, the Pritzker Military Museum & Library and the Sullivan Museum and History Center will present a virtual discussion with journalist and author Elizabeth Becker on her new book, “You Don’t Belong Here: How Three Women Rewrote the Story of War,” which chronicles the work of Australian reporter Kate Webb, French photographer Catherine Leroy and American intellectual Frances FitzGerald.
Becker’s long journalism career includes stints as a Washington Post war correspondent, an NPR senior foreign editor and a New York Times national security and foreign policy correspondent. She also wrote “When the War Was Over: Cambodia and the Khmer Rouge Revolution,” “Bophana: Love in the Time of the Khmer Rouge” and “Overbooked: The Exploding Business of Travel and Tourism.”
Elizabeth Becker’s long journalism career includes stints as a Washington Post war correspondent, an NPR senior foreign editor and a New York Times national security and foreign policy correspondent.
Becker was part of a New York Times team that won the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for covering the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. She has individually won Overseas Press Club and duPont Columbia awards.
In a Foreign Affairs review, writer Lawrence Freedman wrote that Becker blends Webb, LeRoy and Fitzgerald’s recollections with wider history, describing their developing doubts about the Vietnam War’s logic and legitimacy.
“She provides vivid accounts of their journalistic exploits and tales of how they suffered in their work — their injuries, traumas, excessive drinking, and complicated affairs,” Freedman wrote.
Washington Post reviewer Jacqueline Winspear wrote that Becker’s deep reporting shows not only the emotional and physical price the correspondents paid but also the American mindset during the conflict.
“There is a certain undercurrent, another crucial layer emerging as the narrative progresses,” Winspear wrote, “and that is the parallel story of American political naivete in committing a military with a World War II mindset to a war against a people whose history and culture — and ways of fighting — they made little attempt to comprehend.”
The webinar is free to attend. Click here for details.
* * *
EYE ON PALESTINE: From 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, the Norwich Humanities Initiative will present a “Crossing Borders” event on Palestine’s theater, performance and food and the Palestinian-American diaspora.
A panel of Stanford University assistant professor of theater and performance studies Samer Al-Saber, Palestine Hosting Society founder Mirna Bamieh and playwright Betty Shamieh will lead the discussion; Norwich assistant professor of theater Jeffry Casey will moderate.
Click here for details.
* * *
RECORD ARRIVES: The Spring 2021 issue of the Norwich Record alumni magazine is out. In the cover story, Michael Anderson ’66 reflects on winning the $100,000 grand prize in the first Great American Race antique car rally.
Other coverage includes U.S. Army Maj. Doug Meyer ’09 & M’13’s work to vaccinate Americans against COVID-19 through Operation Warp Speed; computer science professor Dr. Michael Battig’s leadership of the School of Cybersecurity, Data Science and Computing; and associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry Dr. Seth Frisbie’s long, lifesaving career and American portraits by California-based photographer Rob Hammer ’04.
Click here to see the issue.
* * *
PREPARING FOR ENTRY: The Admissions Office will lead a pair of webinars for prospective students this week. Thursday’s 7 to 7:45 p.m. session will focus on Norwich’s Undeclared Program.
Lisa Brucken, Norwich’s transition and academic success coach and adviser for undeclared majors and College of Science and Mathematics Dean Michael McGinnis will outline how the university helps students discover the academic majors and thrive as they do.
Click here for details.
* * *

HEAD OF THE CLASS: Dr. Rommy Fuller Young, Norwich’s director of education and teacher licensure will discuss the university’s Education Program from 7 to 7:45 p.m. Wednesday. She’ll bust myths, describe the job market and take questions.
Young, a visiting associated professor who has a Master of Education and Education Specialist degrees to complement her doctorate, is a former classroom teacher and Wilson Instructor who specializes in language and literacy for students of all ages.
Click here for details.
* * *
FORGING TIES: From 4 to 5 p.m. Monday, the Career and Internship Center will present “Building Relationships for Life and Career Success.” Officials will discuss job interviews, online job searching and improving LinkedIn profiles to widen professional networks. Join on Handshake.
* * *
NOW PLAYING: The 2021 Virtual Tournées French Film Festival continues with “Le Procès de Mandela et les autres” (“The State Against Mandela and the Others”).
French journalist Nicolas Champeaux and director Gilles Porte combined on this documentary, which describes Mandela’s October 1963 appearance with nine other leaders of the banned African National Congress before the Pretoria High Court in the apartheid state of South Africa. All of them were accused of sabotage and potentially faced the death penalty. A round-table discussion will follow the screening.
Dr. Sophia Mizouni, Norwich University’s French Program director and an assistant professor of French, landed a $2,200 grant from the FACE Foundation to mount the festival.
Click here for details.
* * *
HERE TO HEAR: The International Center will hold a virtual International Exchange gathering to let students discuss Norwich life from 4 to 5 p.m. Thursday. Discussion topics will include adjustment to college and the United States, cultural and academic concerns, homesickness and language barriers.
Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for information.
* * *
Click here for a complete look at upcoming events at Norwich University
EXPLORE:
- Norwich University Admissions Office
- Norwich University Career and Internship Center
- Sullivan Museum and History Center
READ MORE:
- Thaddeus “Ted” Buczko, Norwich Cyber War Room honoree, dies at 95
- Norwich lands $1.6 million grant to develop experiential cybersecurity education
- Norwich president moves into a dorm. National spotlight ensues.