Vermont Governor Phil Scott announced as 2025 graduation speaker

Norwich University is honored to announce Governor Phil Scott as the commencement speaker for the graduating Class of 2025. The annual spring commencement will once again be held in Shapiro Fieldhouse on May 3.  

“We are immensely honored to welcome Governor Phil Scott as the distinguished keynote speaker for our spring commencement,” stated LtGen John Broadmeadow ’83, USMC (Ret), 25th President of Norwich University. “Governor Scott has demonstrated unwavering support for Norwich, continuously endorsing our long-standing mission. 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.”  

Governor 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 when he won reelection by the widest percentage margin of any gubernatorial election held that year across the country. Prior to his governorship, he faithfully served three consecutive terms as Vermont’s 79th Lieutenant Governor from 2011 to 2017. His wide-ranging contributions to the state are a testament to his overall commitment and dedication.

“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 Phil 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.”

Additionally, in honor of Norwich’s bicentennial, the governor declared February 20, 2019, as Norwich University Day. He was notably one of the estimated 2,000 attendees at The Celebrate 200: Homecoming Bicentennial Gala held in Shapiro Fieldhouse. The governor’s official declaration of Norwich University Day attests to the value placed on a Norwich education and the importance of the educational style created by the Norwich founder, Captain Alden Partridge. The declaration states in part:

Whereas, Norwich University was founded August 6, 1819, by Captain Alden Partridge (1785 – 1854), who did more than any other individual to promote military education in civilian institutions in the United States prior to the Civil War, and

Whereas, Partridge originated a novel system of education which combined civilian and military studies in order to produce enlightened and useful citizen-soldiers and saw the ideal education as a liberal one which prepares youth for the responsibilities of peace and war; and 

Whereas, Norwich University still closely adheres to the purposes and precepts laid out by its founder, as the system of education articulated by Partridge was so broad, sensible, flexible, and visionary that it continues to have extraordinary currency today.

Strongly committed to community service initiatives, he established the Wheels for Warmth program in 2005. This worthy program enables Vermont residents to contribute unneeded tires, where upon meeting applicable state inspection standards, are resold at economically viable prices. The proceeds from their sales benefit the heating fuel assistance programs. To date, the initiative has successfully generated over $428,000 for emergency fuel assistance, facilitated the sale of nearly 19,000 tested and safe donated tires, and recycled in excess of 31,000 unsafe tires. It has also encouraged numerous Norwich University students to donate their valuable time to this commendable cause which benefits their neighbors throughout Vermont.

Governor Scott has over three decades of experience as co-owner of a family-run construction business. His competitive spirit is evident as he currently holds the record for the most wins in the Late Model division at Barre’s Thunder Road and his continued participation in racing.