Expect Challenge. Achieve Distinction.
President Richard W. Schneider, we salute you!
This is not the exit we wanted for President Schneider. And, as he has said several times, it is not the one he wanted, either.
After 28 years of leadership, his accomplishments are numerous. As the university’s 23rd president, he oversaw multimillion-dollar fundraising campaigns that allowed makeovers of existing campus buildings and the addition of new ones and boosted the university’s endowment fivefold. He oversaw increases in enrollment, expanded academic majors and course offerings and championed undergraduate research programs and study away and abroad programs as 'hands on' experiential learning opportunities. He spearheaded an expansion of the Corps of Cadets and the establishment of the online College of Graduate and Continuing Studies and Center for Civic Engagement. His Norwich After Next plan has the university poised to prosper for years to come. The list goes on.
In many ways, Norwich was President Schneider and President Schneider was Norwich. He spoke countless times on campus and off, always cheery and encouraging, telling students if they strived, they would thrive. He encouraged students to come here and pursue their passion, in the classroom, on the athletic fields and in the labs. He signed every degree, welcomed back every Homecoming alum, shook every hand.
We wanted to send Schneider off in showers of applause and choruses of thank yous at commencement and commissioning. We wanted to stop him on the Upper Parade Ground, or any other campus spot, and express our gratitude. The coronavirus crisis dashed all that, forcing us to distance and shelter and finish the year virtually. But on this page, you will see President Schneider in action in his final year.
We cannot thank you enough, Sir. You are everything excellent and everything Norwich.
Through the years
28years ago, Richard W. Schneider arrived in Northfield, Vermont to become the 23rd president of Norwich University. In the nearly three decades he has served as president, he has inspired and executed his strategic plan with extraordinary competence, humility and boundless energy.
According to the American Council on Education, only 5% of college or university presidents serve more than 20 years. In the entire history of our country, fewer than 130 college presidents have served 28 years or more continuous years at the same institution.
Highlights from Spring 2020
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President Emeritus Richard W. Schneider shares Hill-forged wisdom
On ‘The EdUp Experience’ podcast, Norwich University’s former leader offers tactics for facing U.S. higher education’s hurdles
Richard W. Schneider may have retired as Norwich University’s president, but he remains devoted to higher education in Vermont and the nation.
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Honk and wave if you love President Schneider
Car parade on campus will let Norwich University community salute much respected, soon-to-retire leader
R ichard W. Schneider has loved the parades — the thumping of feet, the trumpeters’ bleats, the lining of streets. He and his wife, Jaime, have gamely ridden in many Norwich parades over his 28 years as
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Class of 2020’s vision: Distanced but unified at commencement
With pluck and panache, Norwich University students, faculty seize chance to celebrate earning degrees virtually
T his moment was meant for a stage. Ordinarily, campus (and Northfield, Vermont) would be alive this weekend with energy and music and families — all gathered to honor the Class of 2020. Although the coronavirus
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With a commission, an important commitment
In virtual ceremonies, Norwich ROTC students to take oath, become armed forces officers and defenders of United States
W ith 74 life-transforming words Sunday, a collection of Norwich University seniors will join a special 1% group and achieve a profoundly proud moment, alumnus and U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Daniel J.
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This monument is to scale
Bicentennial Stairs, granite tribute to people who significantly served Norwich, unveiled during Homecoming
T he letters came in the mail, surprising some recipients, moving and humbling others. The missives told the 78 recipients, or in some cases, their families, that they’d be forever remembered on Norwich’s campus, with their name
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A rivalry fit for revelry
‘Little Army-Navy Game’ serves as sporting centerpiece of Norwich University’s bicentennial homecoming
A 90-year rivalry fit for a 200-year celebration. And a shot at “The Mug.”
“The Little Army-Navy Game” pits Norwich University against the U.S. Coast Guard Academy for the 74th time, marking a new chapter in a football
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While you’re here, persevere
Norwich president welcomes new rook class for 2019-20
Norwich University’s 2019 rook class arrived on campus Sunday, and President Richard W. Schneider invited them to accept the challenge before them and persevere, because perseverance will portend success.
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With Dewey, we did
Remade Dewey Hall offers space, technology to stoke present and future learning
T he third-floor windows of the newly renovated Dewey Hall offer a take-it-all-in panorama of new-school-year Norwich University. On a recent morning, the long rectangular path bracketing the Upper Parade Ground teemed with people, lugging books, practicing marches or traipsing
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We stand and salute you, sir
Grateful Norwich community pays tribute to outgoing President Richard W. Schneider
W anda Dami remembers once needing to park her car on campus in 2013, when she brought her son, Joseph, then a Norwich freshman, back after a break. She’d searched the lots and thought she’d lucked out with a
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The End of an Era
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President Schneider In the News
Over the years, President Schneider has been covered in the news media at every turn. Here is a sampling from the last couple of years that show his perspectives, his resilient leadership and his compassion.
Vermont Business Magazine: Vision without resources is hallucination: Dr Richard W Schneider and Norwich University
WCAX-3: Norwich University launches search for new president
WCAX-3: Norwich President Richard Schneider on university's past, future
Business People Vermont: Full Steam Ahead, A life well lived
Times Argus: Norwich plans 'NU after 2035' campaign
VPR’s Brave Little State: As Colleges Close, How Will Vermont Schools Survive?
History.net: Interview: A Coastie Meditates on War and Peace
In an expression of gratitude for the exceptional leadership of President Schneider, and his 28 years of service to Norwich University, the Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the Schneider Legacy Project to celebrate the legacy of Norwich’s longest- serving president.
All gifts to the Schneider Legacy Project will not only honor the incredible impact President Schneider has had on Norwich, but will continue his good work in areas that are important to him and his wife, Jaime, while also ensuring that the university remains strong and affordable into its third century of service. Tribute gifts will benefit the Richard and Jaime Schneider Scholarship and the Norwich Fund.
Memory book presented to President Richard W. Schneider in honor of his 28-year service to Norwich University:
"The Hill" and all its roads to and from, your legacy will remain.
Thank you, President Richard W. Schneider
Norwich Forever!
Own your piece of Norwich history
CITIZENS & SOLDIERS
The First 200 Years of Norwich University—New York Times bestselling author Alex Kershaw brings this remarkable story to life in a beautifully written and illustrated book on the history and heritage of the nation’s oldest private military college.
Buy Your Copy Here