Norwich honors legacy students and future officers

Norwich University celebrated two of its proudest traditions of family, service, and leadership during a pair of special ceremonies at Sabine Field to cap Parent’s and Family Weekend: the Legacy Pinning Ceremony and the Oath of Enlistment Ceremony. Together, the events honored 28 legacy students whose connections to the University span generations, as well as 75 members of the Corps of Cadets beginning their journey of service to the nation.

The Legacy Pinning Ceremony recognized Norwich students who carry forward the University’s enduring family tradition. Each of the honorees shares a special connection to the institution. A total of 28 students were recognized during the Legacy Pinning Ceremony, honoring their connection to Norwich through family members who have come before them. The message read over the stadium public address system reflected the University’s enduring mission and heritage:

“For 206 years Norwich University has produced graduates of distinction who have lived by the principles and Guiding Values set forth by our founding father, Captain Alden Partridge.”

The script continued:

“The students we honor today are relatives of the men and women who have passed through the gates of Norwich before them. Whether they are sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, cousins, grandchildren, or even great-grandchildren of Norwich alumni, these Legacy students are pursuing their academic passion and personal dreams by walking in the footsteps of family members who came before them. Some may be parents of current students who are enrolled in Norwich’s online programs!

We recognize and honor these men and women with a Norwich Legacy Pin for continuing the family tradition and shouldering the mantle of responsibilities set before them.”

Following the pinning ceremony, 75 members of the Corps of Cadets, dressed in uniform, took part in the Oath of Enlistment Ceremony, led by Norwich’s leadership in the College of National Services.

The announcement over the public address system invited the crowd’s attention to the field:

“Ladies and gentlemen, please direct your attention to the center of the field where Norwich Cadets and Midshipmen from the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, and U.S. Space Force ROTC programs are standing in formation. It is fitting as we recognize the service and sacrifices of our veterans today that we also recognize the dedication and commitment of those who aspire to serve. This afternoon, Col Kelly Burt, Airforce ROTC professor of aerospace studies and dean of the College of National Services, will conduct an ‘Oath of Enlistment’ with cadets and midshipmen. Taking this oath officially initiates the start of their military career. Joining Col Kelly Burt on the field are COL Jason Dudley, U.S. Army ROTC professor of military science and Col Don Maraska, U.S. Naval ROTC professor of naval science.

Today’s Oath of Enlistment is the final step in the contracting process, which allows cadets and midshipmen to activate scholarship benefits, receive a monthly monetary stipend, attend advanced training, and access other opportunities towards their goal of becoming officers upon graduating from Norwich, the oldest private military college in the country and the birthplace of ROTC. Less than one half of one percent of the population of the United States makes the commitment to selflessly serve their nation. To each of you standing on the field today, know that you represent the future of our military and our country, and we are proud of you.”

The ceremonies reflected Norwich University’s core values of service, leadership, and commitment. From the legacy families who continue to strengthen Norwich’s foundation, to the cadets taking their first steps into military service, the ceremonies reflected the spirit of the Norwich University mission statement that has, for more than two centuries, prepared “moral, patriotic, efficient, and useful citizens, and to qualify them for all those high responsibilities resting upon a citizen of this free republic.”

All photographs in this story are courtesy of the Corps of Cadets' Public Affairs Office.

Primary photograph by c/CPL Jaimey DiNapoli '28.