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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

Bill Lenihan '97 & M'10
Bill Lenihan '97 & M'10

President Biden has appointed Norwich architecture alumnus Bill Lenihan '97 & M'10, AIA, NCARB, to the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts.

Bill Lenihan, a Principal and Partner at Tevebaugh Architecture, brings significant expertise to the commission. Based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Wilmington, Delaware, his firm's diverse projects include civic, cultural, academic, healthcare, corporate, and industrial structures. Bill's experience spans planning, design, and prominent projects like the historic Ammi B. Young-designed Custom House, the Schwartz Center for the Arts, Delaware's Family Courthouses, and the University of Delaware College of Health Sciences.

Bill maintains professional registrations in over ten states and is deeply involved in community and professional organizations such as the Rodney Square Conservancy and the Friends of Furness Railroad District.

See the White House announcement here:  https://www.whitehouse.gov/.../president-biden-announces.../

 


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).


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).


Tony Johnson '94
June 3, 2024
Anthony "Tony" Johnson '94The 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).


CDR Michael Brown '03; ENS Moran Qiu '22CDR Michael Brown '03
ENS Moran Qiu '22
May 29, 2024
Report from the North Pole: Earlier this year, the USS HAMPTON (SSN 767) conducted ICEX 2024, during which she participated in Operation Ice Camp and POLEX, and surfaced through the ice at the geographic North Pole. At left, CDR Michael Brown NU’03 (commanding officer) and ENS Moran Qiu NU’22 (shown with the Norwich flag). See more (Facebook link).


Kevin Focht '16Kevin Focht '16
May 21, 2024
This year Kevin Focht '16 was selected to be the Chaplain of the 76th Annual Berks County Armed Forces Day Parade, the oldest Armed Forces Day Parade in the nation based out of West Reading, PA. Look for Kevin in the accompanying photo with his blue suit and red tie on. See more (Facebook link).


Brentwood (TN) Recognizes Fire Department Hires, Promotions and AchievementsLuke Mitchell '19
April 29, 2024
Luke recently took the oath of office as one of the newest firefighters in Brentwood, TN. Congratulations, Luke! See the full article (links to news site).


Jeffrey Yarvis '18COL Jeffrey Yarvis '18
March 22, 2024
Jeffrey, a Norwich graduate alum with a Masters of Science in Executive Leadership, has been acknowledged by The Inner Circle as a Pinnacle Lifetime Member for his contributions to clinical social work. See more (links to PR Newswire page).


Erik R. Soykan '90ENS Erik Soykan '90
March 21, 2024
Erik Soykan was recently selected as the Executive Director of Operations for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Air and Marine Operations. See more (links to Norwich news page).


Sean Patrick Kalletta '17Sean Patrick Kalletta '17
March 20, 2024
Army Reserve Capt. Sean Kalletta '17 received the Carnegie Medal on Feb. 22 for his heroic efforts on January 2, 2021. Currently a military police officer with the 200th Military Police Command, Kalletta was on duty as a Suffolk County (NY) police officer that day when he responded to a house fire and entered the home, saving two residents and their dogs. See more (links to Norwich news page).


Keith Chrzanowski M'98Keith Chrzanowski M'98
March 19, 2024
Congratulations to Keith as he joins Gynesonics as its Chief Human Resources Officer. Prior to joining Gynesonics he provided outstanding human resource and operational leadership to achieve success within several industries. Keith’s experience includes serving as Principal for Kalan HR Consulting, where he worked with early-stage and mid-size organizations. See more (links to industry news site). 


Kürt Blomquist, P.E. '85 Kürt Blomquist '85
February 26, 2024 
The New Hampshire Engineering Societies has named Kürt Blomquist, P.E. as the 2024 Engineer of the Year.  He was nominated for this prestigious award based on his impressive contributions to the engineering and public works profession, his dedication to public welfare, and his service to the community through numerous volunteer activities. See the full article (links to news site). 


Billy Whaley '17Billy Whaley '17
February 20, 2024 
Congratulations to Billy Whaley '17 on his 2024 induction as one of seven standout student-athletes to the Vermont Principal's Association Hall of Fame! As the VPA's press release states "Whaley was a standout athlete from Northfield High School [where] it was baseball where Whaley left an indelible mark. Notably, he boasted a staggering 18-1 career pitching record... a career batting average of .389, and a slugging percentage of .582, [earning] recognition as the Times Argus Baseball Player of the Year in both 2011 and 2012. He went on to a standout career at Norwich University where he is now an assistant coach." See the VPS press release (Billy is listed near the end of the release) or see our Facebook post. 


Daniel M. Lay, Esq. '83Dan Lay '83
January 31, 2024 
Daniel M. Lay, Esq. was named President of HM Payson & Co. at the annual meeting of Company shareholders in January. Founded in 1854, HM Payson is the oldest investment firm in the country still operating under its original name and oversees more than $6.5B in client assets from offices in Portland, Brunswick and Damariscotta, Maine. Dan, a 1983 graduate of Norwich, is also parent to a Cadet in the Class of '26. 


Brigadier General Matthew Braman '95BG Matthew Braman '95
January 26, 2024
Congratulations to Matthew Braman '95 who has been promoted to U.S. Army Brigadier General. In a highly anticipated ceremony, BG Braman was formally pinned to the rank of Brigadier General by his two sons, sister, girlfriend, and additional close friends and family. We are proud to honor and celebrate his 28 years of service that has led to this achievement. See the full article (links to news site).


BG Tracy Poirier '96 (third from left) at Theresian Military Academy where she, representing Norwich University, and Austrian counterparts signed an agreement establishing a student exchange program for cadets.
BG Tracey Poirier '96

January 25, 2024
In a significant demonstration of support for the strengthening relationship between the Vermont National Guard and Austria, Gen. Daniel Hokanson, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, joined Maj. Gen. Gregory Knight, The Adjutant General of the Vermont National Guard, and Brig. Gen. Tracy Poirier, Director of the Joint Staff, in key meetings with the Austrian Bundesheer leadership. The visit to the Theresian Military Academy was a cornerstone event, where Brig. Gen. Poirier, representing Norwich University, and Austrian counterparts signed an agreement establishing a student exchange program for cadets. See more (links to news site).


Maj. Alex Redznak '14
January 16, 2024
Maj. Redznak is currently serving as a Nuclear Operations Officer from Nuclear Disablement Team 3, and recently had the privilege to accompany the members of the U.S. Army Nuclear Disablement Teams on a visit to the Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station. "Their training center provides a wealth of knowledge to empower the NDTs on reactor systems," said Redznak. "If we continue this relationship, the NDTs will integrate frequent visits to Peach Bottom into their future training plan." See the full article (links to www.army.mil site).


William Cuervo '14William Cuervo '14
January 12, 2024
In a recent social media post, William Cuervo '14 of 3YourMind wrote, “As I make my way to the airport to head to the U.S. Navy’s Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Danville, Va., I am nothing but grateful that I found an industry that allotted me to do what I’ve always wanted to do—support the needs of our nation and contribute to the national security mission.” See the full article (links to industry news site).


 

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