HWS News
18 October 2022 • Alums Celebrating the Military Service of HWS Alums By Colin Spencer '19
Book that tells stories of Colleges’ alums who served their country is released in conjunction with Hobart Bicentennial.
Hobart and William Smith have a long connection to the United States Armed Forces, dating back to the founding of Hobart College in 1822 with early trustees serving in the Revolutionary War and War of 1812 and students serving not long after the College’s founding.
As Hobart College celebrates its Bicentennial, a new book written and edited by veteran-alums features profiles of 117 alums who served their country. Hobart and William Smith Colleges’ Legacy of Military Service by Col. C.R. Anderegg ’67 and Lt. Col. John Norvell ’66, P’99, P’02 features a foreword by Lt. Gen. Jack Woodward ’68 and an afterword by Col. Katherine Platoni ’74.
The first half of the book narrates the history of the Colleges and profiles those who served, some of whom died in service, from the Civil War until today. It also contains first-person narratives of several alumni/ae who served in unusual and often trying circumstances. The second half of the book is a series of 117 profiles of alumni/ae who have served as well as those still serving across the globe.
“Over the past 200 years, the Colleges have partnered with all branches of the military, enriching the Colleges and giving opportunities to students,” the authors say. “Those students who made the military a part of their work life, even those who were drafted, look back and see real value in both their liberal arts education and the training and discipline learned in the military. As we look to the next 200 years, we can see many ways that the Colleges might benefit from renewed connections with programs offered by the U.S. military as well as the value added to the Colleges by those who have served.”
On Saturday, Oct. 22 from 2-3 p.m., an HWS Veterans Panel will be held in Albright Auditorium, followed by a book signing in The L. Thomas Melly ’52 Lobby of the Gearan Center for the Performing Arts from 3-4 p.m. Free copies of the book will be available for those attending the book signing.
