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22nd ANNUAL WILLIAM E. COLBY

Military Writers’ SymposiumApril 12-13, 2017Norwich University, Northfield, Vermont

The Colby Symposium is generously supported by:

www.pritzkermilitary.org

colby.norwich.edu

This year we mark the 22nd year since Norwich launched the only program of its kind at an American university— a celebration of military writing, authors, and ideas. Begun in 1996 to bring influential writers to campus, the symposium has evolved into one of the nation’s most prestigious academic events.

Originally encouraged by Norwich president emeritus Major General W. Russell Todd and later endorsed by Norwich President Richard W. Schneider, the symposium became a reality under the leadership of its first executive director, Ed Tracy.

Held each April, “the Colby,” as it is nationally known, is named in honor of the late former ambassador and CIA director William E. Colby, a selfless public servant willing to confront difficult challenges head-on. The symposium exposes Norwich students, faculty, alumni, and the public to the works and views of authors, historians, journalists, and national figures. Its purpose is to educate, enlighten, and inspire. Beginning in 2017, the Colby Symposium is now a signature event of the Norwich University multi-disciplinary Peace and War Center.

In 2017 we will celebrate another significant relationship: We are very pleased to have the opportunity to increase our partnership with the Pritzker Military Museum & Library in Chicago, Ill. The Colby, supported by the generosity of the Pritzker Military Museum & Library, now has the ability to expand its reach and its programming to a wider audience. It’s a partnership about which we are very excited.

The Colby is proud of its service to Norwich, and the 2017 program is the latest example of our enduring commitment to making the symposium a relevant and meaningful experience for all.

Carlo D’Este ’58

WELCOME

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Wednesday, April 12, 2017 8:00–8:50 a.m. “What Did It All Mean? American Soldiers

in World War I” Presentation by Jennifer Keene

Todd Multipurpose Room, Kreitzberg Library

9:00–9:50 a.m. “The Great War: The War That Never Ended” Presentation by Michael Neiberg

Todd Multipurpose Room, Kreitzberg Library

11:00–11:50 a.m. “American Extraordinary Force in France” Presentation by COL Robert Dalessandro, USA (Ret.)

Todd Multipurpose Room, Kreitzberg Library

12:00–12:50 p.m. Friends of the Colby Symposium Spring Meeting All are invited

Todd Multipurpose Room, Kreitzberg Library

1:00–2:00 p.m. Presentation of Norwich Undergraduate Original Research Norwich students will present on their WWI service-learning project to provide bilingual biographies of Norwich alumni to le Musée de la Grande Guerre du Pays de Meaux, the largest WWI museum in Europe.

Todd Multipurpose Room, Kreitzberg Library

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

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Thursday, April 13, 2017 9:25–10:40 a.m. “Waging War: The Clash Between Presidents and

Congress 1776–ISIS” Presentation by David J. Barron, 2017 Colby Award winner

Todd Multipurpose Room, Kreitzberg Library

11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Lunch & Learn: The Legacy of Chemical Warfare in WW1 Featuring COL Sean G. Kirschner, USA and COL Eric Brigham, USA (Ret.) This event is co-hosted by the Sullivan Museum and History Center, a Smithsonian Affiliate®.

Sullivan Museum and History Center

1:00–3:00 p.m. Panel Discussion: “Won the War, Lost the Peace: The Centennial Legacy of World War One” Panelists: David J. Barron, COL Robert Dalessandro, USA (Ret.), Michael Neiberg, and Jennifer Keene Moderated by Sarwar Kashmeri, Adjunct Professor of Political Science & Applied Research Fellow, Peace & War Center, Norwich University; Fellow, Foreign Policy Association

Plumley Armory

3:15–4:30 p.m. Book Signing Featuring COL Robert Dalessandro, USA (Ret.), Michael Neiberg, Jennifer Keene, Carlo D’Este, and 2017 Colby Award winner David J. Barron

Milano Ballroom

6:00 p.m. Meet the Authors Reception & Dinner Presentation of the 2017 Colby Award Ticket required

Plumley Armory

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David J. Barron, 2017 Colby Award Winner David J. Barron is a United States Circuit Judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and former S. William Green Professor of Public Law at Harvard Law School. He previously served as the Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Office of Legal Counsel at the United States Department of Justice. He is co-author, with Martin Lederman, of the article “The Commander in Chief at the Lowest Ebb,” and the author of Waging War: The Clash Between Presidents and Congress, 1776-ISIS, the 2017 Colby Award winner.

COL Robert Dalessandro, USA (Ret.) COL Dalessandro serves as Chairman of the World War One Centennial Commission and Deputy Secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission. Considered one of the Army’s foremost experts on battlefield interpretation, COL Dalessandro has previously served as a member of the Senior Executive Service and Executive Director/Chief of Military History, U.S. Army Center of Military History.

Carlo D’Este Carlo D’Este is a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel and military historian. He is the author of Decision in Normandy, Bitter Victory: The Battle for Sicily, 1943, World War II in the Mediterranean, Fatal Decision: Anzio and the Battle for Rome, Patton: A Genius for War, Eisenhower: A Soldier’s Life 1890-1945 and most recently Warlord: A Life of Winston Churchill at War, 1874-1945. In 2011 he received the Pritzker Military Library Literature Award for Lifetime Achievement in Military Writing. D’Este is the co-founder and executive director of the Colby Symposium.

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Jennifer D. Keene Jennifer D. Keene currently serves as President of the Society of Military History, and has published three books on the American involvement in the First World War: Doughboys, the Great War and the Remaking of America; World War I: The American Soldier Experience; and The United States and the First World War. She is also the lead author for an American history textbook, Visions of America: A History of the United States. She has published numerous essays and journal articles on the war, co-edited additional publications, and served as an historical consultant for exhibits and films, and as associate editor of the Journal of First World War Studies. She is also a general editor for the “1914-1918 Online.”

Michael Neiberg Michael Neiberg is the inaugural Chair of War Studies in the Department of National Security and Strategy at the United States Army War College. His published work specializes on the First and Second World Wars, notably the American and French experiences. His most recent book on the First World War is Dance of the Furies: Europe and the Outbreak of World War I. The Wall Street Journal recently named it one of the five best books ever written about the war. In October 2012, Basic Books published The Blood of Free Men, a history of the liberation of Paris in 1944. In May 2015, Basic published Potsdam: The End of World War II and the Remaking of Europe. In October, Oxford University Press published Path to War, a history of American responses to the Great War, 1914-1917.

Sarwar A. Kashmeri Sarwar A. Kashmeri is an adjunct professor of political science and Applied Research Fellow at the Peace & War Center, Norwich University, and a Fellow with the Foreign Policy Association. His independent study course at Norwich focuses on U.S. Grand Strategy. He is an author and current affairs commentator, and is noted for his expertise on US-EU relations, and NATO. A former international businessman, he has served as a communications advisor to several Fortune 100 companies and brings a global business perspective to his work in U.S. foreign policy and national security strategy. He is the author of two books, NATO 2.0: Reboot or Delete? and America & Europe After 9/11 and Iraq; The Great Divide.

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COL Sean G. KirschnerCommander, U.S. Army Dugway Proving Ground and West Desert Test Center

COL Sean G. Kirschner was commissioned as a Distinguished Military Graduate from Tulane University, New Orleans, LA with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology.

His military education includes honor graduate of the Chemical Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Combined Arms Service Staff School, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the National War College. He holds Masters Degrees in Management and National Security Strategy.

Most recently, Kirschner was assigned as the Deputy Director, Chemical and Biological Technologies Department, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Ft. Belvoir, VA, where he served as the lead for the Agency’s Regional Contingency Team – Ebola.

Kirschner has served in a variety of command, leadership, and staff positions including command of the 46th Chemical Company (Mechanized Smoke), Ft. Hood, TX and command of the 23rd Chemical Battalion, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, two awards of the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, seven awards of the Army Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, two awards of the Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, four awards of the Army Achievement Medal, Ranger Tab, Parachutist Badge, the Joint Staff Identification Badge, and the Army Staff Identification Badge.

COL Eric Brigham, USA (Ret.) ’88Eric Brigham is a retired U.S. Army colonel and the Vice President of Operations at Norwich University Applied Research Institutes (NUARI). Before joining NUARI, Colonel Brigham served as the Army Professor of Military Science, and Dean of the College of National Services at Norwich University. He also concurrently served as the Professor of Military Science for Army ROTC at Dartmouth College.

Before returning to Norwich University, Brigham served as Chief of Staff, Alaskan Command and Joint Task Force Alaska. He has held a wide variety of staff and leadership positions during his 28 years of active service. His command experience includes Company Command, Battalion Command, and Brigade Command.

Brigham holds a bachelor of science degree from Norwich University, is a graduate of the Army’s Command and General Staff College, and holds two master’s degrees, one in Administration from Central Michigan University, and one in National Security Strategy from the National War College.

SPECIAL GUESTS

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IN MEMORIAMRICHARD S. “DICK” SCHULTZ ’60Citizen Soldier1938–2016Norwich and the Colby deeply mourn the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Dick Schultz, after a courageous battle with cancer. As a cadet, Dick was a business major, a Distinguished Military Student, and was very active in both the Corps and in such diverse activities as the regimental drill team, the Guidon, and the Outing Club. Dick graduated from Boston University School of Law in 1963 and from 1963-1966 served in Germany as a Captain with the 2nd Armored Cavalry on the German/Czechoslovakian border.

Returning to civilian life, he established a successful law practice in Brockton, Mass. During his working years, Dick was prominent in his community including serving as President of the Plymouth County Bar Association, the Brockton Kiwanis Club, the Brockton Conservation Commission, and the South Area Jewish Community Center.

After moving to Cape Cod in retirement, he organized and led the Norwich Club of Cape Cod to welcome newly admitted students to the Norwich family each July. Thanks to his initiative and dedication, what began with a handful of attendees more than a decade ago has evolved into a vibrant, sold-out event.

Of the many varied activities that he contributed to, Dick’s greatest love was reserved for his alma mater, Norwich University. Dick lived and breathed Norwich. He was one of the Colby symposium’s most ardent and dedicated supporters, both financially and with ideas and suggestions that helped enrich the Colby experience. He also served on the Board of Fellows, and he and his beloved wife, Myrna, were lifetime members of the Partridge Society. Dick’s family and friends were such an important part of his life that that they too shared his devotion to Norwich. Shortly before his death, he and Myrna celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

One of the honors Norwich bestows on its alumni is the Sustained Service Award, which was presented to Dick on the occasion of his 55th reunion.

The role of Norwich is foremost to educate and train good citizens. Dick Schultz was the embodiment of its rich tradition and values. His legacy is that of service and giving back that has left an indelible mark on both the university and the great friends he made over a lifetime of generosity and accomplishment. That legacy will now live on with the creation of the Richard S. Schultz ’60 Colby Symposium Fellowship that will enhance the Colby through a yearly education grant to an outstanding student.

A man of great kindness and selflessness, Dick’s role as a citizen soldier, community activist, and great family man are all memorable parts of his enduring legacy. Dick made everyone who had the privilege of knowing him a better person. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

In this spirit we dedicate the 2017 Colby Symposium in his memory. – Carlo D’Este ’58

 

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RICHARD S. SCHULTZ ’60 COLBY SYMPOSIUM FELLOWSHIP

The Richard S. Schultz ’60 Colby Symposium Fellowship was established in 2017 as an endowed fund in honor of “Dick” by his wife of fifty years, Myrna L. Schultz, their children Marni and Alan, and his classmates and friends.

The Richard S. Schultz ’60 Colby Symposium Fellowship for student creativity and experiences is associated with the Colby Military Writers’ Symposium. The purpose of the Fellowship is to enable Norwich undergraduates from any academic discipline the opportunity to pursue areas of inquiry and experiences that will promote and expand their understanding of the topics associated with the annual Colby Military Writers’ Symposium, and to provide a forum for the presentation of their work to Colby and other University audiences. After a university wide solicitation and competitive selection process, this annual fellowship will be granted by Norwich’s Peace and War Center to a single undergraduate student for a single project that may involve additional Norwich undergraduate students.

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IN GRATITUDEDonors to the Richard S. Schultz ’60 Colby Symposium Fellowship:COL Raoul Alcala, USA (Ret.)Ethan ’69 & Ellen ’69 AllenArbella Insurance Company Dr. Jonathan & Ronni ArdenGabriel ’61 & Jane AuerbachScott & Pat BarronMyra J. BiblowitFrancine & Ira BourneEllyn CaiazzaDr. Anthony Caprio ’60Stephen & Joan ClarkClass of 1960Rayhme CollinsSarah CovielloSandy Dukette P’11Michael EpsteinRobert L. Epstein Family FoundationFireman Family Donor Advised Fund at Schwab CharitableFriends & Family of Richie SchultzJoanne B. Frolich W’59Kelly GatelyRobert & Claire GilsonMartha W. GrasbergerStephen & Susan GrossDr. David & Tao GuoEvelyn & Robert HaussleinEllen HewettRosalind & Herb HillDavid & Marilyn HouseMargie & Terry HuggardMr. & Mrs. Robert M. Johnson ’60 & H’63Dr. Andrew & Wrenn KatesVictor ’60 & Pauline KimLaurie LaMotheJoel LazarusBret & Nancy Leifer

Jane LevineCarol McLeodCOL & Mrs. Reinhard M. Lotz, USA (Ret.) ’60Mul & Patricia MathewsCOL & Mrs. James T. McWain, USA (Ret.) ’60Chandler & Dolores MoisenKaren & John MoranSusan & Mike MustoDrs. Wendy Nelson & Ron BretelerJohn ’60 & Gail NorrisMichael ’73 & Susan O’BrienDr. David Papermaster Sandy PinsteinRobert & Michelle ProctorRhonda & Frank ProkosJohn & Christine ReidPeter S. ’60 & Margaret A. RomanoGabriela & Robert RomanowBarbara & Nelson RossCarol SaivetzAlan & Alisa SchultzMyrna L. Schultz W’60Marni & Andrew SchwartzMartin & Joyce SchwartzMary Jo Segal W’60Ellie & Arnold SiegelJeff StewartJoe & Ann TerrillHenry TillCarol & Rob Trow COL & Mrs. Paul V. Valvo, USA (Ret.) ’60Dr. Lawrence & Diane WeeneRoger ’60 & Margaret WinslowWyndham Worldwide Corporation Alan & Alice ZaffDonna & Joel Zeger

This list reflects all gifts as of March 28, 2017. We apologize for any donors that we have not included due to our printing schedule.

David J. Barron has won the 2017 William E. Colby Award for his book, Waging War: The Clash Between Presidents and Congress, 1776 to ISIS. Now in its 18th year, the Colby prize is awarded annually to a first solo work of fiction or non-fiction that has made a major contribution to the understanding of military history, intelligence operations or international affairs.

Barron is a United States Circuit Judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and former S. William Green Professor of Public Law at Harvard Law School. He previously served as the Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Office of Legal Counsel at the United States Department of Justice. He is co-author, with Martin Lederman, of the article “The Commander in Chief at the Lowest Ebb.” Waging War, is his first solo book.Barron’s professional and legal expertise and perspective make his book on executive power vs. Congress and the nation’s constitutional system compelling and timely.

The Washington Post described Waging War as such: “Ambitious…a deep history and a thoughtful inquiry into how the constitutional system of checks and balances has functioned when it comes to waging war and making peace.”

“I am so pleased to receive the Colby award,” Barron said. “William Colby’s own life exemplifies what I hope Waging War shows—that the executive branch honors our constitutional tradition not only by challenging Congress but also by respecting it.”

Waging War details the history of the ongoing struggle between U.S. presidents and Congress over who has the power to declare and wage war, beginning with George Washington and the Continental Congress and continuing through current-day conflicts described as the Global War on Terror.

“David Barron is a distinguished jurist,” says Carlo D’Este, Colby Symposium executive director. “His superbly researched and wonderfully told history of the clash between presidents and Congress throughout the history of our nation is an outstanding literary achievement and a worthy winner of the 2017 Colby Award.”

Winners of the Colby Award receive a $5,000 author honorarium provided through the generosity of the Chicago-based TAWANI Foundation. The award and honorarium will be presented to Barron at Norwich University during the 2017 William E. Colby Military Writers’ Symposium at the “Meet the Authors” Dinner on April 13, 2017.

Finalists for the 2017 Colby Award included The Brave Ones: A Memoir of Hope, Pride, and Military Service by Michael MacLeod; The Great War of Our Time by Michael Morell; and This Brave New World by Anja Manuel.

Named for the late ambassador and former CIA director William E. Colby, the Colby Award recognizes a first solo work of fiction or non-fiction that has made a significant contribution to the public’s understanding of intelligence operations, military history or international affairs. The William E. Colby Award began at Norwich University in 1999.

2017 COLBY AWARD WINNER

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Awarded annually for 18 years, the Colby Award is presented to a book that has made a significant contribution to the understanding of intelligence operations, military history, or current affairs. Presented to a first-time author, the award includes a $5,000 prize, made possible through the generous support of the TAWANI Foundation and in partnership with the Pritzker Military Museum & Library in Chicago, Ill.

THE COLBY AWARD: PRESENTED TO AN OUTSTANDING FIRST BOOK

Colby Award winners 2009-2016

To view all 26 Colby Award-winning books, visit colby.norwich.edu.

50+books nominated for the 2017 award. 15 readers in VT and VA review nominated titles.6 members of the selection committee vote on the top book.

26 Colby Award winners since 1999.

2015 2014 20132016

2011 2010 2009 20092012

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is an affinity group whose members seek to enhance the symposium through recommendations of authors; foster and encourage an appreciation of the program by students, faculty and the public; and grow opportunities to attract new interest. Members of the Friends of the Colby give at all levels, and every gift sustains this one-of-a-kind program.

The Friends of the Colby Spring Meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 12, 2017 from 12:00–12:50 p.m. in the Todd Multipurpose Room of the Kreitzberg Library.

Would you like to become more involved? Become a Friend of the Colby. Every gift is integral to this unique program. Visit colby.norwich.edu to access the member newsletter, view meeting minutes, and learn more.

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THE FRIENDS OF THE COLBYMILITARY WRITERS’ SYMPOSIUM

THANK YOU

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Founders’ Circle Members (Cumulative donations since 1996)Jack Abare ’57 & P’87COL Guy S. ’60 & Robin Huntley, USA (Ret.)Mr. & Mrs. Robert M. Johnson ’60 & H’63COL & Mrs. Reinhard M. Lotz, USA (Ret.) ’60Mr. & Mrs. Robert B. Mack ’64 & H’06Barry ’68 & Marcia MeinerthRobert L. Needham ’58Ms. Mary Frances N. PattonCOL (IL) Jennifer Natalya Pritzker, ILARNG (Ret.) H’07Mary Jo Segal W’60Edward ’58 & Josie Smith, Jr.Philip ’73 & Peg SoucyTAWANI Foundation

Authors’ Circle MembersCheri Caddy ’90 Robert L. Needham ’58COL (IL) Jennifer Natalya Pritzker, ILARNG (Ret.) H’07TAWANI Foundation

Platinum Star MembersCOL Guy S. ’60 & Robin Huntley, USA (Ret.)COL & Mrs. Reinhard M. Lotz, USA (Ret.) ’60Joseph OjileMary Jo Segal W’60

Silver Star MembersThe Honorable Thaddeus Buczko ’47 & H’96Barry ’68 & Marcia MeinerthThe Friends of the Kreitzberg Library Philip ’73 & Peg Soucy

Bronze Star MembersDr. Anthony Caprio ’60Myrna L. Schultz W’60R. John MitchellMG W. Russell Todd, USA (Ret.) ’50, H’75 & P’75

Friends of the Colby SymposiumHarold Colvocoresses Robert V. Guptill ’68COL & Mrs. Roger H. Damon, USA (Ret.) ’51 MG Charles H. Perenick, USA (Ret.) ’56LTC Carlo ’58 & H’92 & Shirley D’Este, USA (Ret.) Mark S. Titus ’70 Stephen ’70 & Lynn Egan, Jr. LTC Thomas H. Wright, JrLuis & Elizabeth Figarella

This list reflects all gifts as of March 28, 2017. We apologize for any donors that we have not included due to our printing schedule.

The Peace and War Center (PAWC) was established in June 2015 to create a space for supporting interdisciplinary student- and faculty-based work on the many facets of peace and war. Travis Morris, assistant professor of criminal justice, is the first director and will oversee the center’s work in conjunction with an advisory board.

The 2017 William E. Colby Military Writers’ Symposium is a Peace and War Center signature event. This partnership has increased opportunities to involve faculty from across Norwich’s five academic colleges and allows for expansion and innovation in the Colby’s programs.

Highlights of PAWC initiatives in academic year 2016–2017: • Former Austrian Ambassador Wendelin Ettmayer delivered a lecture about the

development of warfare entitled “Is it Still Possible to Win Wars? The Revolution in Non-Military Affairs.”

• PAWC students attend the Peace and Stability Conference in Washington, D.C., presented by the Association of the United States Army.

• Paul Kan, PhD gave a lecture entitled, “Hangin’ and Bangin’: Drug Cartels and Gangs in Mexico and Central America”

• PAWC Student Fellows, who travelled to Israel as a part of an Olmstead funded Field Studies in Peace and Conflict to learn about the Israeli-Palestine conflict, gave a presentation about their trip.

• In conjunction with the Writer’s Series, PAWC hosted Jonathan Mingle to speak on Fire and Ice: Soot, Solidarity and Survival on the Roof of the World.

• Sarwar Kashmeri, PAWC Fellow, moderated a panel on “Should the U.S. Bring Back the Citizen-Soldier Military?”

• Visiting Lecturer Paul Topalian ’71 spoke to students about ethical interrogation methods.

• PAWC hosted Former Israeli Ambassador Haim Koren for a conversation with the Norwich community on a non-American perspective of middle eastern conflicts.

• PAWC and the Office of Academic Research hosted Fulbright Scholar Pierre Jolicoeur, PhD, a professor from the Royal Military College in Canada will continue his research into cyber warfare through social media and Russian foreign policy.

• Suraj Budathoki, a Bhutanese refugee and CGCS student, visited campus and spoke about his experiences growing up in a Bhutanese refugee camp in Nepal.

• Sarwar Kashmeri moderated a student debate about the statement, “The Trump Administration Has Put America on a Secure, Prosperous and United Future.”

PEACE & WAR CENTERAT NORWICH UNIVERSITY

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The Pritzker Military Museum & Library is proud to partner with Norwich University to help solidify the university as a regional center on military history and affairs. As both a private university and a non-government organization, Norwich and the Museum & Library share strong stakes in the study of military history and affairs as they have a deep impact on the character of who we are as a country. Together, the Museum & Library and Norwich build awareness of the importance of study of military history and affairs and the role of the military in a democracy.

The Museum & Library’s sponsorship of William E. Colby Military Writers’ Symposium helps further promote it as a world-class forum that features established and emerging scholars in the field of military history and affairs.

In addition, by bringing Colby Award winners to Chicago to be featured on the Museum & Library’s television series Pritzker Military Presents, the Museum & Library draws greater attention to the Award and drives Norwich University’s message and mission into another region.

The Pritzker Military Museum & Library is located in downtown Chicago, Illinois. Open to the public, the Museum & Library features an extensive collection of books, programs, artifacts, and rotating exhibits covering many eras and branches of the military that are available to visitors in person and online at pritzkermilitary.org.

Opened in 2003, the Pritzker Military Museum & Library is a center where citizens and service members come together to learn about military history and affairs. Each year, the Museum & Library awards the prestigious Pritzker Military Museum & Library Literature Award for Lifetime Achievement in Military Writing to recognize a living author who has made a lifetime contribution to the understanding of military history affairs. The Museum & Library is a living memorial to current and former service members and their families and is supported by its members and sponsors.

COLBY SPONSORSHIP THE PRITZKER MILITARY MUSEUM & LIBRARY

www.pritzkermilitary.org

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Timed with the centennial of U.S. entry into World War One, Prof. Fran Chevalier has designed a research initiative to honor those Norwich students who served in the Great War. Chevalier has liaised with officials of the Musée de la Grande Guerre du Pays de Meaux to identify a venue for the final product of the service learning project.

With the assistance of student apprentice Taylor Nash ’19, Chevalier collected materials on Norwich students who served in the war. Utilizing these materials and those from the Norwich Archives and Special Collections, the students of Prof. Steven Sodergren’s HI373: US Military History II course began composing biographies of each of these Norwich alumni. Once complete, the biographies will be transferred to Chevalier’s FR332: Advanced French Composition, Conversation and Translation II course where they will be translated into French.

After translation, the biographies, along with images of the Norwich alumni, their hometowns, and wartime activities, will be donated to the Musée de la Grande Guerre for possible display in their WWI centennial exhibit in 2018. In February, the students of both courses experienced a live interactive web visit of the French museum conducted by cultural mediator, Stéphane Jonard.

The work performed by the students of both classes will be presented as part of the Colby Symposium on April 12, at 1:00 p.m. in the Todd Multipurpose Room of Kreitzberg Library.

This piece has been excerpted from the spring edition of CoLA Happenings, the College of Liberal Arts newsletter. To subscribe to this newsletter, contact editor Isabel Nielsen, inielsen@norwich.edu

STUDENT SHOWCASEINTER-DISCIPLINARY SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT ON NORWICH STUDENTS IN THE FIRST WORLD WAR

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Norwich University is honored to serve as the State of Vermont partner for the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission. In addition to hosting events on campus to commemorate the centennial, Norwich acts as a statewide clearinghouse for events occurring throughout Vermont to the National Centennial Commission.

World War One has a special place in the history of Norwich University, the birthplace of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). Leading up to American involvement in World War One, Norwich issued its entire senior class certificates of graduation in 1917, so that when war was declared the students were able to enter the military. The school was in a unique position to serve its country and provide citizen soldiers with the tools and skills to lead and fight when the U.S. entered the conflict.

According to a 1928 report by the state of Vermont, after the war, famed General John J. Pershing wrote to Charles Plumley, Norwich’s then-president, commending the school’s soldiers for their actions. “It gives me a great deal of pleasure to write these few words of appreciation of the services rendered by Norwich University men in the World War. Prepared to fulfill the sacred duty of defending their country’s honor through the highly efficient course of instruction in the military science which Norwich provides, they answered the call in 1917 with a patriotism inspired by the achievements of Norwich men in previous wars. The duties they performed and the manner of their accomplishment added another splendid chapter to the history of their Alma Mater,’” wrote Pershing.

Norwich University events—including the 2017 Colby Symposium—and other Vermont events are posted on the U.S. National World War One Centennial Events Register online, where they will become part of the permanent national archive of World War One Centennial activities.

SPECIAL THANKSCarlo and Shirley D’EsteProf. Bud KnaufProf. Fran ChevalierProf. Steve SodergrenKatie NelsonLaura Amell Darlene Goodrich

Facilities OperationsSodexo Sarah HenrichThe Office of the Commandant Nicole PacenkaIphy TanguayChrista Stook

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STATE PARTNERSHIP U.S. WORLD WAR ONE CENTENNIAL COMMISSION

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NORWICH UNIVERSITY158 Harmon DriveNorthfield, VT 05663(802) 485-2451

colby.norwich.edu

104 S. Michigan AvenueChicago, IL 60603(312) 374-9333

www.pritzkermilitary.org