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Alumni in the News

At Norwich, you developed leadership traits — discipline, integrity, confidence, loyalty, and honor — for you to excel in any profession.

Read below, and follow the external news source links, for stories of Norwich alumni demonstrating leadership and WickGrit in their work or service lives.

Alumni Spotlight

Vice Admiral John Gumbleton '89
Vice Adm. John Gumbleton ’89

Vice Adm. John Gumbleton participated in several outreach events at his alma mater, Norwich University September 18. 

Commander, Task Force 80 and Deputy Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Gumbleton conducted executive engagement with the President of Norwich University, met with the Peace and War Center, and Navy Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (NROTC) students.

The purpose of the New England community outreach events was to strengthen relationships with people who are not exposed to Navy personnel, equipment, and missions. Gumbleton expressed excitement about meeting future military leaders. 

“I can think of no better way to invest in our future leaders than to meet them in a learning environment that is challenging on so many levels,” said Gumbleton.

See more on the U.S. Fleet Forces Command news page.

 


2007 Master of Business Administration graduate and Intelligence Operations Planner for the U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Swift SanchezNavy Lt. Cmdr. Swift Sanchez M'07
November 14, 2024
2007 Master of Business Administration graduate and Intelligence Operations Planner for the U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Swift Sanchez was recently selected to join the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region in support of the 60th Presidential Inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025, where she is responsible for receiving and in-processing security and intelligence personnel. See more (links to DVIDS news release).


Rob Kumpf '13Rob Kumpf '13
October 15, 2024
Rob (middle) was selected as the 30th district commodore for the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary's Ninth District - Western Region in September. Rob will assume this role in January, and Auxiliarists across Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. The Ninth Coast Guard District – Western Region provides operational and administrative support to eighteen Coast Guard small boat stations, two aids to navigation stations, two seasonal aviation detachments, one marine safety unit, one sector field office, and one marine safety detachment under the command of Sector Lake Michigan in the Ninth Coast Guard District. 


Shaun P. Miller '00BG Shaun P. Miller '00
October 11, 2024
On October 11, with family, friends, and colleagues in attendance, Colonel Shaun P. Miller was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General in the U.S. Army at Houston, Texas. Since July 2024, BG Miller has been assigned as the Deputy Commanding General of the 76th Operational Response Command (ORC) located in Salt Lake City, Utah. In his civilian capacity, BG Miller is an Assistant Chief for the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), responsible for the delivery of the state’s emergency management programs for Southeast Texas. 
See more on the TDEM news page. Watch the entire ceremony on YouTube.


Dominic DeSilvio '21Ofc. Dominic DeSilvio '21
October 11, 2024
Congratulations to Dominic DeSilvio who was welcomed to the Chelmsford Police Department during a recent swearing-in ceremony. DeSilvio completed an intensive five-month training program at the Lowell Police Academy. Way to go, Dom! See more (links to news release).


Austin Soule '15 (left) and Tyler Noyes '16 (right) were recognized by Vermont State Police for their promotions to SGT at the Annual VSP Awards and Promotion Ceremony at the Vermont State House on September 13.SGT Austin Soule '15
SGT Tyler Noyes '16
September 13, 2024
Tyler Noyes (right) and Austin Soule (left) were recognized by Vermont State Police for their promotions to Sergeant at the Annual VSP Awards and Promotion Ceremony at the Vermont State House. Tyler is assigned to Troop B Westminster barracks and Austin is assigned to Troop B Royalton barracks. See more (VSP news release).


Cptn Michael Desmond M,05Captain Michael P. Desmond M'05
August 8, 2024
Congratulations to Michael, of Norfolk, VA who celebrated 30 years of decorated service in the United States Navy during the first weekend of August with family and friends in his hometown of Sharon Springs, NY. See more (links to news site).


LTC Brian Doyle '94LTC Brian Doyle, USA (Ret.) '94
August 8, 2024
Brian has been named the Norwich University VP for Development & Alumni Relations. Brian brings 23 years of service as an officer in the United States Army, almost a decade of experience in higher education, and seven years in corporate America. A long-time volunteer for Norwich, we look forward to welcoming Brian to his new role. See more (links to Norwich News).


Wayne Dirkes '01Col. Wayne Dirkes '01
August 1, 2024
Congratulations to Col. Wayne Dirkes '01 who assumed command of the Arnold Engineering Development Complex 704th Test Group during a Change of Command ceremony July 8, at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. See more (links to news site).
Photo caption: Col. Wayne Dirkes, right center, takes the guidon from Arnold Engineering Development Complex Commander Col. Grant Mizell, left, to assume command of the AEDC 704th Test Group during a Change of Command ceremony July 8, 2024.


Jacqueline Patts '00Jacqueline Patts '00
August 1, 2024
Welcome back to Norwich! One of the top players in Norwich Softball history, Jackie Patts '00, returns for her second stint as Head Softball Coach. "I am incredibly excited to welcome Jackie Patts back to Norwich as our Head Softball Coach," AD Ed Hockenbury said. "As both a former player and coach in the program, Jackie cares deeply about Norwich softball, and is keenly aware of our strengths and challenges." See the full article (links to Norwich Athletics site).


Billy Whaley '17Billy Whaley '17
August 1, 2024
Director of Athletics, Ed Hockenbury, promoted former assistant coach and Norwich baseball standout Billy Whaley to head baseball coach. "Billy Whaley is one of the best players in Norwich baseball history," Hockenbury said. "For the last seven seasons, he has contributed greatly to the program. ...He is a loyal, committed alum, passionate and knowledgeable baseball coach, and talented recruiter. He is fully prepared to lead our baseball program into the future." See the full article (links to Norwich Athletics site).


Kellie Barhight '00Lt. Kellie Barhight '00
July 13, 2024
Using the handle Ms. B Positive on Tik Tok, Kellie Barhight '00, a mom of two sets of twins and a lieutenant with the Stow (MA) Police Department, teaches fellow police officers about mental health. Her handle also has a literal meaning: her blood type is B positive—and now she’s learned she’s a 100% match for someone on the Be The Match Bone Marrow Registry. See more (news link).


Ryan English '20Capt. Ryan English '20
July 11, 2024
On 21 June, Capt. Ryan English '20 was promoted to his current rank in the U.S. Air Force at an undisclosed location in Central Europe. His parents, LTC, USAR (Ret) Lance '84 & Maureen English pinned on his new rank. See more (Facebook link).


Dylan Gifford '19Dylan Gifford '19
June 27, 2024
Congratulations to Dylan Gifford '19! LeChase Construction Services, LLC is pleased to announce the promotion of Dylan Gifford to project manager, supporting LeChase’s Central New York region. See more (links to LeChase site news release).


Capt. Evan P. Shortsleeve '18Capt. Evan Shortsleeve '18
June 6, 2024
Capt. Evan Shortsleeve '18 (left) the commanding officer of the 59th Chemical Company (Hazard Response) earned top honors during 2024 International Best CBRN Warrior Competition. See more (links to dvidshub.net article).


Michael A. Wabrek '88LtCol Mick Wabrek '88
June 6, 2024
Retired US Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Mick Wabrek, NU '88, had the privilege of accompanying Honorary Degree recipient and Tuskegee Airman Brigadier General Woody Woodhouse to Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, and guess who they bumped into? None other than His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales himself! See more (Facebook link).


Norwich alum Paul Parsons '89 takes part in parachute D-Day commemoration.Paul Parsons '89
June 6, 2024
Paul Parsons '89 took part in an airborne parachute demonstration team, descending on Normandy with the same uniforms and gear American soldiers carried 80 years ago. “We forget what that generation did for us,” Parsons told us last week before leaving for France. See more (on Norwich News).


COL Robin E. Ernstrom '04COL Robin Ernstrom '04
June 3, 2024
NU Class of '04 and '11 Army Reserve Col. Robin Ernstrom has recently taken command of the 90th Sustainment Brigade and joined yesterday in commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day at Normandy, France and the 90th Infantry Division's D-Day landing. See more (Facebook link).


Anthony "Tony" Johnson '94Tony Johnson '94
June 3, 2024
The Truman Center and Truman National Security Project are proud to announce the appointment of Anthony "Tony" Johnson '94 as their new President and CEO, effective August 1, 2024. Johnson, a long-time member of Truman, brings with him a wealth of experience and a commitment to driving the organization forward into a new era of growth and inclusivity. See more (on Truman Center site).


Old Men Mountain Rugby Fest scrum groupFred Roedel '85
Derek Anneser '86
May 31, 2024
Fred Roedel '85 has been organizing the Old Men of the Mountain Rugby Festival along with his former college teammate, Derek Anneser '86 for about 20 years. The annual festival takes place on the first Saturday of June. See more (Facebook link).


 

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