Norwich University Commencement Weekend Schedule and Keynote Speakers

Norwich University is delighted to announce the upcoming annual Master’s Hooding, Commencement, and Commissioning ceremonies. Beginning with the Master’s Hooding Ceremony on Friday, May 2, the graduation weekend will progress with the Commencement and Commissioning Ceremonies scheduled for Saturday, May 3. This year, Norwich is proud to matriculate more than 1,000 graduates as they transition into the next phase of their professional endeavors and officially join the ranks of Norwich alumni.

The graduating Class of 2025 will have the opportunity to hear from two distinguished keynote speakers who represent Norwich University’s founder Captain Alden Partridge’s ideal of service before self.

The Governor of Vermont, the Honorable Phil Scott, is one of the most popular governors in the country, a highly successful businessman, and an equally accomplished stock car racer. Officially inaugurated as the 82nd Governor of Vermont in January 2017, his leadership and dedication to the people of Vermont propelled him to his fifth term in 2024. Prior to his governorship, he faithfully served three consecutive terms as Vermont’s 79th Lieutenant Governor from 2011 to 2017. 

“I’m honored to speak at Norwich University’s 2025 commencement. As a state that desperately needs more skilled workers in all sectors, the knowledge students gain at Norwich University is incredibly important,” said Governor Scott. “The kind of dedication and courage it takes to go after a new goal, or set off on a different path, sets a great example for others.”

“Governor Scott has demonstrated unwavering support for Norwich, continuously endorsing our long-standing mission,” stated LtGen John J. Broadmeadow ’83, USMC (Ret), 25th President of Norwich University. “His career embodies the key principles enshrined in our Guiding Values: honor, integrity, leadership, and service to nation and others before self. The Norwich University mission statement closes by commanding us ‘to make moral, patriotic, efficient, and useful citizens, and to qualify them for all those high responsibilities resting upon a citizen of this free republic,’ a mission fulfilled by our graduating Class of 2025, our numerous alumni, and Governor Scott alike.”

United States Army Brigadier General Shane P. Morgan, Norwich University Class of 1994, will be the keynote speaker for the 2025 ROTC Joint Commissioning Ceremony. BG Morgan is currently assigned to the Joint Staff, Pentagon as the Deputy Director for Regional Operations, J35. During the 2024 Homecoming festivities, he was inducted into the Norwich University Athletic Hall of Fame. The distinguished letter winner played both baseball and football during his time on The Hill. Following his graduation at Norwich, he received his commission in Field Artillery. 

“The Joint Commissioning Ceremony is incredibly significant, and it is an honor to play a small role in this year’s event,” said BG Morgan. “Norwich University laid the foundation for my military career and instilled in me the values of service and duty to something greater than oneself. Returning to The Hill to address the graduating Class of 2025, having sat on the other side of the podium 30 years ago, is an honor and a moment to celebrate all who earned the privilege to serve this great nation as U.S. military officers.”

His operational assignments include command of the 1st Battalion, 319th AFAR, 82nd Airborne Division and the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI), at Fort Drum, New York. BG Morgan deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq while assigned to the Task Force 1-501 Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) at Fort Richardson, Alaska, and the 18th Field Artillery Brigade, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Additionally, he served in numerous staff positions, including assignments to the U.S. Army Human Resources Command (HRC), Fort Knox, Kentucky, duty as the Aide-de-Camp to the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, and a previous tour on the Joint Staff as an Operations Officer in the J35.

After commanding the Mission Command Training Program (MCTP) at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, BG Morgan’s first General Officer assignment was as the Deputy Commanding General for Support of the 82nd Airborne Division, with a deployment in support of NATO’s Operation EUROPEAN ASSURE, DETER, AND REINFORCE. Following this assignment, BG Morgan served as the 56th Commandant of the Field Artillery School, Fort Still, Oklahoma.
Hooding, Commencement, and Joint Commissioning Ceremony schedules:

Friday, May 2, 2025:
4:00 p.m.
Master’s Hooding Ceremony (Shapiro Field House)

Saturday, May 3, 2025:
10:00 a.m.
Commencement 2025 (Shapiro Field House)
•    Commencement and Commissioning | Norwich University: livestream is also available for those unable to attend in person

3:00 p.m.
Joint Commissioning Ceremony (Shapiro Field House)
•    Commencement and Commissioning | Norwich University: ROTC Joint Commissioning livestream is also available for those unable to attend in person

4:30 p.m.
Individual ROTC Commissioning Ceremonies will be held across campus at these specific locations:
•    Air Force ROTC commissioning: Mack Hall Auditorium
•    Army ROTC commissioning: Shapiro Field House
•    Naval ROTC and Platoon Leaders Course Commissioning: White Chapel

Additional information regarding the ceremonies, including complete schedules, is available at: Commencement and Commissioning. 

An extended listing of events, rehearsals, performances, awards ceremonies, and special luncheons or dinners can be found at: Weekend Schedule of Events | Norwich University.