2010 Highlights
- In March, 2010 Norwich University hosted the fifteenth annual Colby Military Writers’ Symposium, featuring authors of books on military history and current events. Included on the writers’ panel were SSG David Bellavia, USA (Ret) and COL Jerry D. Morelock, USA (Ret), both recent veterans, but with different experiences, offering their viewpoints on counterinsurgency and the current conflicts. Highlighting the Tawani Foundation’s support of the symposium was the 2010 Colby Award, which was presented to Medal of Honor recipient COL Jack Jacobs, USA (Ret.), for his memoir If Not Now, When?
- The Wise Campus Center is the focal point of student activity at Norwich University and the Tawani Foundation was instrumental in the funding of its construction. In addition to serving over 700,000 meals a year, the WCC is also where the students send and receive mail, buy books and supplies, use computer terminals, access an ATM, make use of the various lounges, and even shoot a game of pool. Last year it was home to many special events, including Winter Carnival, a semi-formal dance, “free coffee” study breaks on Wednesday nights (very popular with the students), and a weekly Karaoke Sing-a-long.
- The Tawani Foundation contributed to the operations budget for the Mountain and Cold Weather team last year. This enabled the team to experience winter excursions to challenge their rock climbing, rescue training, and orienteering skills. They were put to the test during a weekend trek from Eden, Vermont to the Canadian border, with a minimum of supplies, left to their own devices and the acumen acquired during the year’s training.
The impact of the Tawani Foundation on the Norwich University campus has been tremendous! From the Wise Campus Center, which is the heart of student activity, to the excursions of the Mountain Cold Weather company, to public forum programs such as the Colby Writers’ Symposium, Tawani’s support has enhanced so many aspects of the university. It has exposed more students to new and valuable experiences, and increased the margin of excellence in their education. We all - students, faculty, and staff alike - appreciate the foundation’s support of, and belief in, Norwich University.
