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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.

 


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).


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). 


 

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