Vermont Business Magazine Norwich University, the nation’s only private military college and the birthplace of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), has been at the forefront of progressive military education since its beginnings in 1819. Founder Captain Alden Partridge envisioned educating both women and men as citizen-soldiers, but it took 155 years for that to come to fruition.
On September 19-22, Norwich University will celebrate a milestone in the institution’s 205-year history: the 50th anniversary of women living on the Northfield campus and joining the Corps of Cadets. The celebration will take place as part of the annual Homecoming Weekend.
The Sullivan Museum & History Center will feature an exhibit called “Women Kicking Glass: The Pioneering Spirit of Norwich Women” which celebrates the women who have made significant strides in the military, public, private and non-profit sector, paving the way for future generations to break barriers and achieve greatness. An opening reception for the exhibit will take place on Thursday, September 19 at 4:30 p.m.
Gerard Hall, the first building on the Norwich campus to house women, will be dedicated to the 71 women who first occupied the top floor of the building in 1974. The dedication will take place at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, September 20. Later that evening, a gala fundraiser will be held in Plumley Armory to recognize past and present Norwich women and raise funds for the Women Kicking Glass Scholarship supporting future generations of Norwich women. For tickets and more information: https://alumni.norwich.edu/WomenKickingGlassGala
In January 1972, Vermont College in Montpelier merged with Norwich University. With that, Norwich became a two-campus institution. Vermont College retained its name and operated as a civilian division for women, while Norwich continued to be a residential campus for men, offering military training and the Corps of Cadets.
The landmark Title IX Act of 1972 which prohibits discrimination based on sex in any education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance, had a profound impact on the integration of women into American military schools. Norwich’s President, Dr. Loring E. Hart, embraced the opportunity to broaden educational opportunities for women and proactively encouraged the inclusion of females in the Corps of Cadets and ROTC.
In August 1974, 71 women moved onto the Northfield campus of 900 male students. Sixteen of the women were incoming freshmen in a four-year degree program. Others had been enrolled in a two-year program at Vermont College and were now pursuing a four-year degree. Among these trailblazers were eight women who formed the first female cohort in the NU Corps of Cadets. As one of the first senior military colleges to achieve this distinction, and two years before the federal service academies admitted women, Norwich is proud of its legacy of forward thinking.
Throughout Homecoming Weekend, visitors to campus are encouraged to take a walking tour of campus, following signs that highlight the history of women at Vermont College and Norwich University. Norwich is also partnering with 14th Star Brewing in St. Albans to serve a commemorative Women Kicking Glass beer throughout the weekend. Norwich alumnus Steve Gagner is co-owner of the brewery.
For more information and a full schedule of Homecoming 2024 events, visit https://www.norwich.edu/special-events-and-traditions/homecoming.
About Norwich University
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 and is the oldest private military college in the United States of America. Norwich is one of our nation's six senior military colleges and the birthplace of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). www.norwich.edu
Source: 9.9.2024. NORTHFIELD, Vt. – Norwich University
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