Norwich University Cadets await their diplomas at Commencement 2021. Photo by Mark Collier/Norwich University
NORTHFIELD — Norwich University celebrated Commencement and Commissioning ceremonies on Saturday, May 1, in a hybrid of virtual streamed and in-person events held campus-wide in accordance with Vermont pandemic guidelines and with the Norwich community’s health and safety as the highest priority.
Norwich University was honored that Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark A. Milley gave the commencement address to the Class of 2021 in recorded remarks. Milley is the military’s senior-most ranking member and serves as principal adviser to President Joe Biden, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III and the National Security Council.
Milley shared with Norwich graduates that both his parents fought in WWII, and shared details of notable Norwich alumni who distinguished themselves in service to the nation.
He shared this insight: “Right now we are in a great power competition with China and Russia, and we need to keep it at competition and avoid great power conflict. Each of you will play an important role in keeping the peace. You can expect to be at the edge many times, to make hard choices with imperfect information. You will have to keep guard up against the enduring nature of evolving security challenges. Each and every one of you are going to be fundamental to our nation’s defense in the years to come, and you are well equipped to meet these challenges,” Milley said.
Photo by Mark Collier/Norwich University
He added: “You’re about to graduate from an institution that has taught strength of character and leadership and perseverance.”
Milley received an honorary Doctor of Military Science before addressing approximately 447 students graduating from 32 undergraduate programs and one master’s program: 437 bachelor’s degrees and 10 Masters of Architecture. The Class of 2021 included 18 International students from 10 countries on five continents. There were four separate commencement ceremonies, two each running simultaneously in Shapiro Fieldhouse and Kreitzberg Arena at 9 a.m. and noon.
Photo by Mark Collier/Norwich University
Graduates include future military officers, law enforcement officers, engineers, nurses, and many who will go on to graduate school, jobs in the federal government, athletic training, construction management, cyber security and numerous public-service sectors. The Class of 2021 consisted of 169 civilian students and 268 students in the Corps of Cadets.
At 3 p.m. on Sabine Field at Haynes Family Stadium, Norwich University commissioned 164 Class of 2021 graduates into the U.S. armed services in a Joint Commissioning Ceremony: U.S. Army, 98; U.S. Air Force, 40; and the U.S. Naval Program, which commissioned 16 U.S. Navy ensigns, and 10 U.S. Marine Corps 2nd lieutenants.
This year’s Joint Commissioning Ceremony is a historic event, marked by two Air Force ROTC students who will commission into the U.S. Space Force later this summer. They’ll follow in the footsteps of Norwich’s first U.S. Space Force commissionee, Zachary C. Van Buskirk ’20.
Photo by Mark Collier/Norwich University
During the Joint Commissioning Ceremony, Norwich University’s Class of 2021 commissionees heard remarks from a fellow alumnus, Maj. Gen. Gary Keefe ’86, U.S. Air Force Reserve and Massachusetts National Guard adjutant general.
Individual Service Commissioning ceremonies were held at 4:15 p.m. in various outdoor locations on campus. Each military branch’s event was streamed live. During the ceremony, whether on campus or remotely, students received their first salute as a military officer.
