LtGen John Broadmeadow ’83, USMC (Retired) Named 25th President of Norwich University

Upon his promotion to LtGen, John Broadmeadow became the highest-ranking Marine officer to ever graduate from the University. Now, he becomes the first Marine to take the mantle of president and the highest-ranking Marine officer to be named president in Norwich University’s history. “John Broadmeadow is the right person at the right time for Norwich,” said DeForest. “His exceptional combination of personal connection to Norwich, his work as a Board of Trustees member, and lifetime of continued service to the University uniquely positions him to step into the leadership role as the 25th president of Norwich University.”

General Broadmeadow has lived his life in the spirit of Captain Alden Partridge’s citizen-soldier. Following his graduation from Norwich and The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia he was assigned his first operational role as a supply officer in the 1st Marine Amphibious Brigade in Okinawa, Japan. He served in a variety of positions including on a significant number of combat and humanitarian deployments before being promoted to general officer from his role as Commanding Officer of Combat Logistics Regiment 17 in Camp Pendleton, California in 2009. This promotion saw him earn the rank of Brigadier General as the Deputy Commanding General, Marine Forces Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii. After serving as Commanding General in several high-profile commands and on the Joint Staff, Broadmeadow was promoted to his final rank of Lieutenant General when he became the Deputy Commander of U.S. Transportation Command then retired from active duty as the Director of the Marine Corps Staff at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. Broadmeadow’s record reflects a history of making strong, mission-critical decisions which have contributed significantly to organizational success. His efforts on behalf of the nation were recognized when he was awarded the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Department of Defense’s highest non-heroism award for distinguished service, for his tenure at U.S. Transportation Command. His professional journey showcased leadership strengths and his ability to manage large organizations effectively and substantial budgets with great efficiency.

John retired from the military in 2020, ready to transition to civilian life. Since then, he has provided counsel to both private sector c-suite executives and government officials as a mentor and advisor. In 2022 he added more to his plate as an executive fellow and program mentor for the Institute for Defense and Business at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill’s Keenan-Flagler Business School. Just one month later, he became a Norwich University trustee and has actively participated as a member in both the Academic Affairs and Student Affairs Committees, and chairman of the Human Resources Committee. Additionally, LtGen Broadmeadow continues to support the Marine Corps as a senior mentor for the MAGTF Staff Training Program and member of the Marine Corps Association Board of Directors.

Broadmeadow will bring a truly unique and fresh perspective to Norwich and the senior military college community. As an alumnus, USMC officer, and civilian taking on broad roles in higher education, he has collected the skills and experience that a Norwich president requires while being driven by his passion for the University and its vision for success. He has an infinite drive to challenge individuals seeking professional—and personal—growth to become the leaders they aspire to be in the military or civilian capacities, a quality that will benefit every Norwich student. Broadmeadow has always given back to the University even prior to his time as a trustee, committing his time to events such as the Joint Services’ Commissioning Official in 2018 and keynote speaker for the Bicentennial Gala aboard the USS Intrepid in New York City the following year.

Whether talking with and preparing incoming freshmen at sendoff events, delivering speeches, or furthering Norwich’s future through the Partridge Society, the University and its students have long been at the forefront of his mind and heart. Since joining as a trustee, he has additionally expanded his familiarity with every intimate detail surrounding Norwich and its functions as a senior military college. With his wealth of knowledge and experiences, time as a cadet, deep understanding and respect for Norwich University’s mission and culture as well as his service-before-self leadership style, Broadmeadow will immediately and beneficially impact the institution and its entire community. “Ever since arriving in the Fall of 1979, Norwich, its ideals, and its people have been central to my personal and professional life. I am deeply honored that the Trustees have placed their faith in me to lead our University at this pivotal time,” said Broadmeadow. “It is a special opportunity to use my background and skills to pay back all that Norwich has given me. Karen and I look forward to becoming even more deeply engaged with the Norwich and Northfield communities.”

John will be joined on the Hill by his wife Karen (Rowe) who is also a 1983 graduate of Norwich. The couple make history as the first presidential family in Norwich University’s history where both spouses are Norwich alumni. The pair share a deep and unparalleled love for the University and have been intimately involved with the school for many years through various alumni organizations, such as the Partridge Society and Norwich University Alumni Association, while also being regulars at reunion events and freshmen sendoffs, which has kept the couple in tune with both the alumni base and future Norwich graduates. Norwich and its students have always benefitted from their continuous efforts, and in 2018 John was officially recognized with the Distinguished Alumni Award for his sustained contributions to the University.

Outside of his passions for Norwich, its students, and service, Broadmeadow is a sailor and private pilot with a penchant for fair-weather local flying. John and Karen spend plenty of time hiking trails alongside their yellow lab, Quincy, and they are looking forward to returning to the mountains of Vermont—and the Hill.

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About Norwich University

Norwich University is a diversified academic institution that educates traditional-age students and adults in a Corps of Cadets and as civilians. Norwich offers a broad selection of traditional and distance-learning programs culminating in baccalaureate and graduate degrees. Norwich University was founded in 1819 by Captain Alden Partridge of the U.S. Army and is the oldest private military college in the United States of America. Norwich is one of our nation's six senior military colleges and the birthplace of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). www.norwich.edu