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Norwich University Mission Statement

To provide lifelong learners with a dynamic academic environment, experiential in nature and focused on real-world challenges – to engage in communities of inquiry – to develop the skills of informed, ethical, and moral leadership – to work collaboratively in the pursuit of professional excellence and sound decision-making – to impart relevant and useful knowledge – to prepare graduates to assume positions of leadership and service within the global community while committed to the values of Norwich University.

Norwich's mission statement is one of the most unique statements found in higher education. We know exactly who we are, why we are here, and where we are going. We are able to be very specific:

To give our youth an education that shall be American in character – to enable them to act as well as to think – to execute as well as to conceive – "to tolerate all opinions when reason is left free to combat them" – 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.

The distinctive terms and phrases found in this definition provide important clues to understanding the essence of this organization, and ultimately the directions we will seek and the outcomes we will require of our students. The most distinguishing terms are:

American in character
global in perspective
mutual respect
service
thinking and acting
conceiving and executing
making moral and patriotic citizens
making useful citizens
qualifying graduates for responsibilities of a free republic

These, as well as other distinguishing outcomes of the Norwich experience are discussed below:

American in character means that we teach students to understand and hold dear those values and principles upon which this free republic was established.
Global in perspective means that our students should understand that the USA is not alone in this world.
Mutual respect, social graces, and politeness. Mutual respect is a cornerstone of civilization and a foundation of academia. It is what initiates a salute; it is what allows two people to appreciate each other for the value that they bring to the relationship, no matter how lasting or temporary the relationship is. It is common human decency, kindness, and a cornerstone of a civil society.
Service is an integral part of the Norwich undergraduate experience. Students must experience the phenomenon of service to others before self as a vital part of the maturation process and take with them from Norwich the expectation that service will be a lifelong commitment. This continues as you further develop leadership and excellence in your field at the graduate level. Leaders serve, and we purport to train leaders.
Experiential Learning — thinking and acting, conceiving and executing: Most schools focus on thinking and conceiving. Cpt. Alden Partridge, the founder of Norwich, founded the university on a radical curriculum and pedagogy for the time, that of developing students in an experiential learning environment, hence the "acting" and "executing" additions to the classical model of the day.
Useful Citizens: Cpt. Partridge was developing "useful," pragmatic citizens, like civil engineers and chemists, which the young country desperately needed at the time. "Useful" and "experiential" went hand in hand. This was during a period of history where education was far more classical in nature. We continue to teach our students that success is something that should benefit both themselves and others and that their personal goals in life should naturally include both self and others.
Pride: Norwich University is a very proud organization. Her alumni maintain deep bonds with the university and with each other. This bond lies at the heart of Norwich's success and longevity. When you become part of Norwich University, you become part of something very old, very deep, and very proud. This bond pervades not only the students, but also the faculty and staff. Students recognize the faculty and staff, both anecdotally and quantitatively, as being far above the national average in terms of attention, caring, and advising.
Transforming: The rigor and the disciplined lifestyle of the Corps experience have historically had a transforming effect on students. The Norwich experience adds value to people, helping them to be leaders, helping them to work hard, and helping them to be responsible citizens. The transformation we see at the graduate level is an renewed confidence to meet challenges under demanding circumstances, as well as achieving a balance between self-growth and career aspirations.
Honesty, Ethics: America is great for many reasons, among them is a balanced and lasting form of government and a relatively free economic atmosphere that has encouraged growth and innovation. But a lasting government and economic freedom must be built upon a foundation of honesty.
Leadership: Leadership is not merely a formal position in organized groups, but rather, it occurs whenever a person wholeheartedly pursues excellence and thereby inspires others to do the same. We should understand leadership as occurring whenever a person has a positive influence on others. Leadership will continue to be a very visible aspect of this institution, both in student outcomes and in the presence of our graduates around the world.