Pritzker Military Foundation launches Sullivan Scholarship, honoring General Gordon Sullivan ’59

The Pritzker Military Foundation, led by its founder, COL (IL) Jennifer N. Pritzker, IL ARNG, has announced the funding of a new scholarship in honor of GEN Gordon R. Sullivan ’59. It takes the form of a challenge grant that will match private cash donations of up to $250,000 and create an endowed fund. The Sullivan Scholarship will provide merit-based awards to both cadets and civilians in good academic standing, with preference given to students from Sullivan’s home state of Massachusetts. The challenge grant opened on April 1 and will be open through March 31, 2027.

“I and all alums who were impacted by General Sullivan are grateful to the Pritzker Military Foundation for funding a challenge grant to endow this scholarship,” said Commandant of Cadets and Vice President for Student Affairs, BG (VSM) Bill McCollough. “I can’t wait to see the first Sullivan Scholar on the Hill. This is a fitting tribute to a Norwich legend and a deeply meaningful way to memorialize his impact on Norwich and our country.”

Sullivan passed away in January and rests in Arlington National Cemetery. His lifestyle represented CAPT Alden Partridge’s vision of a citizen soldier. He began his time at Norwich University studying history and serving fellow students in the mess hall, both of which would foreshadow his future life of service and efforts to preserve military history. He commissioned as a second lieutenant of armor upon his graduation from Norwich and his career would see him climb the ranks in the Army. He held a variety of positions throughout his time in service, but his career culminated when he was promoted to the 32nd Army Chief of Staff by President Bill Clinton. The president would eventually assign him the additional position of acting Secretary of the Army, making Sullivan the only person to ever serve in both roles simultaneously. His career earned him a multitude of awards, including five Distinguished Service Medals, a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Combat Infantry Badge.

Following his retirement from the Army, Sullivan continued pursuing his passions of service and history. He led the Association of the United States Army as its president for nearly 20 years and was awarded the Gen. George Catlett Marshall Medal, their highest honor. Sullivan also spent 13 years as the Norwich University Board of Trustees chair where he continued to advocate for the success of the institution. He additionally led the board of the Army Historical Foundation as the chairman, where he spearheaded efforts to build the National Museum of the United States Army in Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Its opening in 2020 officially marked it as the only museum that focuses on the history of the U.S. Army.

The newly founded scholarship is already off to a roaring start. The Norwich University Applied Research Institutes (NUARI) has announced that the NUARI Board of Directors approved a financial commitment to the Norwich University General Gordon Sullivan Scholarship Fund, recognizing Sullivan’s enduring contributions and impact on both NUARI and Norwich University. NUARI has provided an initial contribution of $100,000, supplemented by an additional $10,000 from the board of directors personally, to honor Sullivan’s legacy. This generous support provides a strong foundation for this scholarship and ensures the successful future of one of Sullivan’s many passions: Norwich University students.