COMMENCEMENT Two Thousand Twenty The Commencement of NORWICH UNIVERSITY Two Thousand Twenty COMMENCEMENT Welcome Provost and Dean of Faculty Sandra G. Affenito National Anthem Regimental Band Invocation Reverend William S. Wick, University Chaplain Greetings President Mark C. Anarumo Conferring of Honorary Degrees President Emeritus Richard W. Schneider President Mark C. Anarumo Commencement Address President Emeritus Richard W. Schneider Response to Address President Mark C. Anarumo Conferring of Degrees President Emeritus Richard W. Schneider Provost and Dean of Faculty Sandra G. Affenito Norwich Forever Norwich forever, queen of the hills When far from thee, still mem’ry thrills recalling Scenes and old friendships, songs, and old cheers Mem’ries that fade not through the changing years Benediction Reverend William S. Wick Closing Remarks President Mark C. Anarumo A Norwich Graduate A university’s legacy can be measured by the impact of its graduates. Norwich University graduates helped to build our In coming to Norwich, today’s graduates nation. From the chief engineer of the first US encountered great challenges. By overcoming transcontinental railroad, to leaders in decisive them, they confirmed in themselves the battles, to the individuals who developed the confidence to persevere in the face of adversity. nation’s banking system, the legacy of Norwich While studying in a rigorous and disciplined reaches back to the most formative decades of academic environment, they acquired invaluable our nation’s History. time management skills as well as practical knowledge and expertise in their chosen fields. More recent graduates have included a president They have been encouraged to think deeply about of NBC and the Chief of Staff of the Army. what makes a good leader, to reach their own Innumerable alumni have made a deep and conclusions based on close observation, and to lasting impact on the world as nurses, engineers, seize opportunities to practice their own skills. soldiers, police officers, and business executives. Norwich graduates are men and women These are individuals who have prepared of distinction. themselves to act as well as to think – to execute as well as to conceive, and to be moral, patriotic, Today, the legacy of Norwich University passes efficient, and useful citizens. into the hands of those whose names are listed in this program. We have every faith that they will do great things! Military College of Commissioning Ceremony Vermont (MCV) Diploma Each year, the day after Norwich’s Norwich students who are members of the Corps Commencement, the Reserve Officers’ Training of Cadets in good disciplinary standing qualify Corps (ROTC) program commissions officers for the Military College of Vermont annotation into the United States Armed Forces. During on their diploma by meeting the physical the Commissioning ceremony, cadets are fitness standards, completing cadet training administered the oath of office and are thus requirements, and participating in at least six commissioned as Second Lieutenants or Ensigns semesters of ROTC. in the Armed Forces. Our cadets can enter into one of sixteen branches in combat arms, combat support, or combat service support. Following the oath, the new Second Lieutenant or Ensign receives their first salute from a Non- Commissioned Officer and an exchange of a silver dollar is made from the Officer to the Non-Commissioned to signify the occasion. This event marks the important transition from cadet to officer. Norwich has had a long history of providing leaders to our nation’s Armed Services. Air Force Distinguished Graduate Det 867 distinguished students are those graduating Norwich cadets who have demonstrated exceptional achievement as developing Airmen throughout their four years in the AFROTC program, as evidenced by their cumulative academic grade point average, physical fitness tests, and leadership in the Cadet Wing and Norwich Corps of Cadets. Additionally, these distinguished students will compete nationally for the AFROTC Distinguished Graduate award. Air Force Distinguished Graduates 2020 Andrew Harris Brandon Summers Anthony Trigilio Army Distinguished Graduate United States Army cadets who graduate as a Distinguished Military Graduate (DMG) represent the top twenty percent of cadets across the nation. To be considered as a DMG, cadets must have successfully completed Advanced Camp during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky and graduate with a baccalaureate degree. Additionally, these cadets have achieved academic excellence, demonstrated exceptional military skills, and leadership potential above and beyond their peers. Army Distinguished Graduates 2020 Marlon Cammarano Benjamin Lavoie Caleb Valcin Riley Clark Jordan Lutz Christian Waszak Colby Dalton Benjamin Martell Dillon Zites Charles Grunert Kekuaokalani Marumoto Robyn Hageman Andrew Roberge Sarah Ingraham Bradley Thomas Kristofer Klemm Jeremy Thompson Naval Distinguished Graduate Naval ROTC Distinguished Graduates are those graduating NROTC students who have demonstrated exceptional achievement as leaders and scholars throughout their four years in the program. Each of these Midshipmen excelled in all aspects of their Norwich experience, to include academics, leadership, physical fitness and service to others. Naval Distinguished Graduates 2020 Navy Marine Corps Jerad Clark Zachary Crete Jordan Czarnecki Colton Cronin Michael Saunders Dylan O’Brien Caelan Ross HONORARY DEGREE CITATION David N. Magida A 1979 graduate of Middlebury College, David Magida received a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Economics before joining the staff of Norwich University in 1986, serving as the University’s Chief Administrative Officer and member of the Senior Staff and Cabinet until his retirement in 2019. In these roles, Mr. Magida demonstrated excellent management and oversight of facilities operations, administrative, and student life support services. He also played a key role in creating an academic environment that promotes cross-disciplinary experimentation, research, discussion, and exploration of new ideas. In support of the University’s Master Plan, Mr. Magida managed over 280 employees and 77 major construction and renovation projects with values greater than $259 million. Several of these projects have won state, regional, and national awards, and all were completed on time and on budget. David Magida has left a lasting mark on the landscape of Norwich through decades of service to the University and its community of students, faculty, and staff. He chaired numerous committees and also provided oversight for, and maintenance of, all University policies. Mr. Magida’s service exemplifies leadership, discipline, and Norwich’s values, earning him respect and admiration across the University. In recognition of and with grateful appreciation for his exemplary service, longtime commitment, and contributions, Norwich University bestows upon David N. Magida the honorary degree of Doctor of Construction Management with all the rights and privileges appertaining thereto. HONORARY DEGREE CITATION Joel Kobert ’65 A native of Hackettstown, New Jersey, Joel Kobert graduated from Norwich University in the Class of 1965. While at Norwich, he was a member of the Soccer Team, Honor Committee, Skull and Swords, and a Company Commander. After graduation, Mr. Kobert attended Howard University School of Law and in 1968 received a Juris Doctor degree. Upon graduation from law school, he entered the United States Department of Justice, was selected for the Attorney General’s Honors Program and served as an attorney with the United States Justice Civil Rights Division. Mr. Kobert entered the United States Army in the latter part of 1968, serving in Vietnam as an Operations Officer for a Civil Affairs Company with the rank of Captain. He received a Bronze Star. Mr. Kobert returned to civilian life in 1970 and received the Reginald Heber Smith Fellowship from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in conjunction with the Howard University School of Law. In 1973, he founded with James Courter the firm of what is now today Courter, Kobert & Cohen, of which he was Managing Partner until his retirement. He is a member of both the New Jersey State Bar Association and the Washington, D.C. Bar Association. Mr. Kobert has served as President of the New Jersey State Bar Association, a member of numerous Supreme Court Committees, is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, and has been named to Who’s Who in American Law. He has served in the administrations of two Governors of New Jersey and was formerly General Counsel to the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (Meadowlands). In addition to having run seven marathons, including the Boston Marathon, Mr. Kobert has received numerous awards for legal services from Bar Associations. He has been a member of the Norwich University Board of Trustees since 2005 and has served as vice-chair of the Board. He was co-chairman of the Forging the Future comprehensive fundraising campaign and devoted countless hours traveling the country with President Emeritus Richard W. Schneider and speaking at Norwich events. Mr. Kobert continues to serve on numerous charitable Boards and Committees and resides in Bridgewater, Vermont. He and his wife Nancy are Chairman One Diamond members of the Partridge Society and have two children, Jordan and Paige, who both reside in California. In recognition of his ongoing commitment and contributions as both a member of the Board of Trustees and as a distinguished