Norwich University to welcome record number of incoming ROTC scholars

For Immediate Release
August 19, 2009
Contact: Daphne Larkin
802-485-2886
dlarkin@norwich.edu


NEWS RELEASE


Norwich University to welcome record number of incoming ROTC scholars


…Admissions numbers at the oldest private military college in the country reflect national trend…


NORTHFIELD, Vt. (August 19, 2009) – On Friday, August 21, Norwich University will welcome a record number of incoming students that are scholarship recipients of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC).


These 121 distinguished students will arrive prior to the rest of the incoming students. This year Norwich will welcome over 700 incoming freshmen, about 500 of whom will enter into the Corps of Cadets, the largest incoming class at Norwich University in at least three decades.


This number of ROTC scholar winners reflects the national trend of increase, illustrated by the number of incoming Army ROTC scholars, which has increased from 26 last year to 86 this year. The rest of the ROTC scholars represent the other three branches of the Armed Services – Navy, Marines and Air Force.


Students that accept ROTC scholarships agree to serve in their branch of the Armed Services for various numbers of years upon commissioning and graduation from Norwich University.


“It is a very important decision in one's life to commit oneself to serving their country and these young men and women are taking that first step towards supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States,” said Colonel Jon VanGuilder, Commander, AFROTC Det 867. “Norwich University has always been a part of this important commitment, and each one of them will follow a long list of distinguished NU grads that have served in peacetime and in war.”


ROTC scholars arrive early on campus to begin in-processing, which – depending on the service – includes PT testing and a swearing-in ceremony. There will be a reception at 5 p.m. on Friday, August 21, with a celebratory dinner to follow in Plumley Armory with former Vermont Adjutant General Martha Rainville as keynote speaker.


All 121 ROTC scholarship students will assemble on the steps of Jackman Hall in front of the Garrison Flag at 4:45 p.m. Friday for a photo.





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Norwich University is a diversified academic institution that educates traditional-age students and adults in a Corps of Cadets and as civilians. Norwich offers a broad selection of traditional and distance-learning programs culminating in Baccalaureate and Graduate Degrees. Norwich University was founded in 1819 by Captain Alden Partridge of the U.S. Army. Norwich University is the oldest private military college in the United States of America and the birthplace of our nation's Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC).

For Immediate Release

August 18, 2009

Contact: Daphne Larkin

802-485-2886

dlarkin@norwich.edu

NEWS RELEASE

Norwich University opens new residence hall to be LEED-certified

…Project completed $1 million under budget and three weeks ahead of schedule…

NORTHFIELD, Vt. (August 18, 2009) – Norwich University officials announced the opening of South Hall, a newly constructed residence hall anticipated to receive Gold-level LEED certification and completed $1 million under budget and opening three weeks ahead of schedule.

“We are very happy to complete the project under budget and ahead of schedule, but most important the new dorm will provide a beautiful home for 283 of our students,” said Dave Magida, Norwich University chief administrative officer. “With the design of the building and a wide variety of lounge and study spaces I believe that we’ve exceeded our students’ expectations.”

The $25.2 million project was funded through loans, and the cost savings are a result of a unique arrangement in which Norwich University served as construction manager.

“In this role we were able to negotiate contracts with reputable, experienced contractors and make them part of the design team. This helped to drastically reduce the number of change orders, and resulted in us running into very few problems during construction,” Magida said.

In addition to the efficiency of the actual construction, the building itself was designed according to standards that qualify it to be certified by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). LEED, a “green” building rating system – developed and administered by the US Green Building Council, a Washington D.C.-based nonprofit coalition of building industry leaders –promotes design and construction practices that increase profitability while reducing the negative environmental impacts of buildings and improving occupant health and well-being.

The LEED rating system offers four certification levels for new construction—Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum—that correspond to the number of credits accrued in five green design categories: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources and indoor environmental quality.

“With the expectation that we will receive Gold LEED certification—our first at Norwich University—this building will serve as a benchmark for all future projects,” Magida said.

The major contractors were Vermont Mechanical; Bates & Murray (electrical); Ziter Masonry; Carrara & Sons (precast concrete); SD Ireland (concrete), and Dubois Construction (excavation).

Highlights of the new dorm:

· South Hall is the largest building on campus to date.

· One hundred percent of the building’s energy use will be offset by purchasing Renewable Energy Credits.

· The building contains recycled content, locally manufactured and low VOC materials and products.

· All bedroom windows will have sensors which shut off the heating system when windows have been left open.

· Efficient water use strategies throughout the building will reduce water usage by over 30 percent for a building of this size and type.

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Norwich University is a diversified academic institution that educates traditional-age students and adults in a Corps of Cadets and as civilians. Norwich offers a broad selection of traditional and distance-learning programs culminating in Baccalaureate and Graduate Degrees. Norwich University was founded in 1819 by Captain Alden Partridge of the U.S. Army. Norwich University is the oldest private military college in the United States of America and the birthplace of our nation's Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC).