Quoted | News From the Hill

NORWICH RECORD | Summer 2021

“It has been a turbulent year for everyone—even as we speak, things continue to change, and the future has never been more clouded than it is today. Yet, Norwich continues to fight on, through thick and thin, to remain at the forefront of redefining what it means to be resilient.

“I, for one, applaud the effort that has gone into bringing as much normalcy to our beloved campus as possible. A quick reflection on the past month of my life seems dismal. Two weeks quarantining at home to jump on a plane and quarantine, two weeks in a 10'x10' dorm room with little to no access to anything that I came to this school for. Then, out of nowhere, this upside-down world gets sucked inside out as the little progress we have made is extinguished, and we are back to being stuck in our rooms like prisoners. Prisoners not of this institution, but prisoners of a virus that has ripped away at the fabric of our lives for almost a year.

“I am glad to be here, though, surrounded by the people who have defined my time at this school. For without shared suffering, the bonds we form feature no depth.

All we can do now is wait for the next time we get to put on that uniform.”

—Norwich Guidon editor Zachary Jenkins ’21 writing in a blog post on Feb. 1

“Class of 2021 you made it. This year has been unprecedented and … challenging … without question. The traditional graduation day that you envisioned was derailed by a global pandemic. Yet unlike last year, we remain together, in-person.

“It’s important not to let the state of the world today discourage you. The resilience, perseverance, and grit that you have all shown is why the Class of 2021 graduates are not only the envy of the world, but the hope for our future.”

—Norwich President Dr. Mark Anarumo, Colonel, USAF (Ret), speaking during Commencement on May 1.

“Very soon, many of you will cross a threshold into commissioned, uniformed service in our United States military. This is something to be proud of. But I need you to remember the responsibilities, the weight, the gravity of this duty. No matter how high the mountain or wide the valley, the American people will rely on you to forge past adversity to protect and defend our nation.”

—Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark A. Milley speaking to the Class of 2021 during his May 1 Commencement video address to NU’s graduating seniors.