New Student Blog - Fall 2008

Civilian Arrival Day Schedule

Check-in Time:

New students should plan to arrive between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Wed., Aug. 20, 2008.; When you arrive on campus, follow the signs and directions for parking your vehicle and then check-in at Shapiro Field House. Admissions, Orientation Leaders and Residence Life staff will be on hand to greet and assist you.

Moving-in:

Once you complete the check-in process in Shapiro Field House, you will be given your dorm room keys. You can then drive your car, following the signs and directions around campus, right to the front of your dorm building. You will then be able to unload your car, move belongings into your room, and do some unpacking.

Lunch:             

We invite you and your family and friends to attend lunch in the beautiful Wise Campus Center. Lunch will be available from 10:30am to 12noon.

Welcome Ceremony:   

President Richard Schneider, Brig. Gen. Michael Kelley, vice president for Student Affairs, and Karen McGrath, vice president for Enrollment Management and Communications, will welcome all new students and their families and friends into the University community. The Welcome will be held in Plumley Armory at 1pm to 2pm.

Orientation Week:

Orientation Week, “Be a Part…From the Start” officially begins at 2:15 p.m. Directly from the Welcome Reception, Orientation Leaders will come in and divide the new students into their orientation teams. They will then leave the armory to head out all over campus and being the orientation process. There will be a small Q & A session for the families at this point, just to help answer any of those last minute questions.

Your Questions Answered: Rook socks

Q: As an incoming rook, I got white athletic socks that have a little gray on the toe and the soul, is that ok?

A: As long as when you are wearing sneakers, everything that is visible of your socks are white, you'll be good to go. Also when you roll your socks the Corps of Cadets way, the gray will be hidden as well.

Meet Your Classmate Thursday: Jose Flores

Quick Facts

Name: Jose Flores

Hometown: Pembroke Pines, FL

Major: History

Why did you choose that major?: I chose history as my major because I love history. I find it interesting to look into the past and see how society has transformed and why things are the way they are. I happen to find military history the most interesting.

Lifestyle: Corps of Cadets

What made you apply to NU? I received a pamphlet in the mail the summer before my Junior year, I had already started my search for potential colleges and Universities to apply to so I put the pamphlet in my interest pile. The April of my junior year I went to a junior open house at Norwich and decided that I would definitely apply there. The fact that it was a military college with a rich history that included traditional students interested me the most. I think what also did it for me was the fact that it was the birthplace of ROTC.

What other Universities did you consider? Initially I was considering a few in state Florida schools like the University of Florida, University of Central Florida, University of Southern Florida, and Florida state university. I was also considering other military colleges and universities such as Virginia Military Institute, North Georgia Military University and the United States Military Academy at West Point.

What made NU stand out? The fact that the Corps of Cadets and Traditional students interact with each other on campus and are both part of the University experience really stood out to me, the fact that they actually got along fine stood out the most. Another thing that also stood out was the campus itself, especially the new Wise Campus Center, it made me feel like I could call this place homes for four years.

What clubs/sports/activities do you hope to participate in at NU? I hope to participate in NUEMS or MCW, those clubs really made an impression on me during the open house.

What do you see yourself doing after graduation? I see myself making the Army my career, hopefully starting in a Combat Arms branch.

Favorites:
Movie: Black Hawk Down

Band: Dave Matthews Band

TV Show: Colbert Report and Scrubs

Book: The Dark Tower series by Stephen King

Finally...Tell us something about you that surprises people: I speak three languages: English, Italian, and Spanish!

Your Questions Answered: Arrival Day tie?

Q: As a rook, can I have a clip on tie for Rook Arrival Day?

A: No, you should arrive wearing a plain black, regular tie. You don't need to worry about tying it in any specific knot, as you will learn to tie a double Windsor knot during Rookdom. For arrival day, any old knot will do.

Meet Your classmate Tuesday: Margaret Manning

Quick Facts

Name: Margaret "Meg" Manning

Hometown: Colchester, VT

Major: Mathematics

Why that major? Throughout high school, I always enjoyed my math classes and found that I really liked helping others in my class to get a better feel for the material. I've liked the idea of teaching for a long time now, and it just seemed right.

Lifestyle: Civilian Resident

What made you apply to NU? I really like the atmosphere at Norwich; it's more disciplined and yet there is still the feeling of freedom. I also love the campus and how small the student body is in comparison to other colleges. When I visited the campus for an open house, it felt like I was home.

What other Universities did you consider? Springfield College, Elms College, University of Vermont, Keene State College, Hartswick College, and American International College.

What made NU stand out? Everything!

What clubs/sports/activities do you hope to participate in at NU? I would love to get involved with a martial arts club and a wind ensemble.

What do you see yourself doing after graduation? I would love to pursue a teaching career in high school mathematics.

Favorites:
Movie: Sweeney Todd

Band: RED (at the moment)

TV Show: InuYasha

Book: Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Finally...Tell us something about you that surprises people: By the time I begin taking classes at Norwich, I will be a Master in Taekwon-do!
 

Your Questions Answered: Thermal Underwear

Q: As an incoming rook the packing list says thermal underwear, can I just bring Under Armor?

A: Yes, you can bring under armor. Just make sure it is the crew neck top, that way it isn't visible while you are in uniform.

Your Questions Answered: Getting Your Stuff Here

Q: I'm an incoming Rook, how do I get all my things up to NU?

A: Each dorm building has a "trunk room" where you can store things such as suitcases, luggage bags, large Tupperware containers, cardboard boxes, etc. These are all great ways to being up your supplies for Rookdom. You can then get into the "trunk room" before any break to use your materials to get your belongings home again on holiday leave. You can also mail some of your belongings ahead to our university mail room. Just be aware that arrival day is Sunday and the mail room isn't open until Monday, so make sure you don't mail anything you will need immediately. The mailing address you can use is:
Your Name
Incoming Student
Norwich University
158 Harmon Drive
Northfield, VT 05663

Meet Your Classmate Thursday: Marcus Hawthorne

Quick Facts

Name: Marcus Hawthorne

Hometown: Pearland, TX

Major: Engineering Management

Why did you choose that major?: I chose this major because I wanted to be able to have a career that would  be profitable for me and one where I can use my math skills.

Lifestyle: Corps of Cadets

What made you apply to NU? Because Norwich is the birthplace of ROTC and since I am in the ROTC program in high school, I wanted to stay in that field.

What other Universities did you consider? I considered West Point, UCLA, and USC - but Norwich stayed visible for me and that was important.

What made NU stand out? It was the fact that Norwich is a proud university that stands out as the birthplace for the ROTC program and being a military university.

What clubs/sports/activities do you hope to participate in at NU? At this point, - because being in the Corps of Cadets, I'm not really sure but I'm sure once I fiind what's being offered, I will pick something.

What do you see yourself doing after graduation? Enjoying the fact that I have a degree in Engineering and finding a promising job/career. Maybe even joining the military.

Favorites:
Movie: Various

Band: Various

TV Show: Family Guy

Book: N/A

Finally...Tell us something about you that surprises people: I'm really quiet and a loner but I have a quick sense of humor!

Your Questions Answered: Civilian Orientation

Q: What can we expect during Civilian Student Orientation?

A: Civilian Student Orientation is filled with fun activities randing from ice breaks to community service projects. Students will become well acquainted with the campus and with each other during this time. For a more detailed schedule of events for Orientation click here. 

Meet Your Classmate Tuesday: Kathrin Dzimian

Quick Facts

Name: Kathrin Dzimian

Hometown: Rocky Hill, CT

Major: History

Why that major? I love studying history and I believe that as an officer in the Navy, studying history will be instrumental in helping to resolve world conflicts in the future.

Lifestyle: Corps of Cadets

What made you apply to NU? I like the military lifestyle offered by the Corps of Cadets; I wanted to attend a military college.

What other Universities did you consider? United States Naval Academy

What made NU stand out? I liked the location and the campus, I liked that it's only three hours away from home, I like the lifestyle of the Corps of Cadets, and I like that I will be able to start taking classes for my major right away as a freshman rather than having to wait until I'm a junior.

What clubs/sports/activities do you hope to participate in at NU? Drill Team

What do you see yourself doing after graduation? Serving as an officer in the U.S. Navy, doing either surface warfare or amphibious operations, and continuing to write stories and novels.

Favorites:
Movie: Buffalo Girls

Band: Pretty much anything

TV Show: HBO's Deadwood

Book: "The Warrior Elite" by Dick Couch 

Finally...Tell us something about you that surprises people: People are always so surprised when I tell them that I have already written two novels. Everyone I talk to always asks me how I can write so much, but I love to write and it just comes naturally to me.