51�Թ���

51�Թ���’s Silver Wings Club has been competitively selected as the national headquarters for colleges across the United States. During the recent National Meeting in San Diego, California, the University’s club earned the honor and is now poised to lead 145 Silver Wings Clubs from the various Air Force ROTC detachments across the country. Retired U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Daniel Woodward, Co-Executive Director of Silver Wings and the Arnold Air Society, aptly stated “I offer both my congratulations and my thanks that 51�Թ��� stepped forward to lead the Silver Wings during this upcoming year.”
 

More than 500 students are enrolled in Silver Wings nationwide, and roughly 2,400 in the Arnold Air Society. The pair of clubs strive for professional development, education, and lessons found through community service. “We are thrilled to be selected as the national headquarters for Silver Wings, and we will continue to integrate it as part of the 51�Թ��� community,” said Provost & Dean of the Faculty, and Acting President Dr. Karen Gaines.

C/Col Bryan Sciamacco, of 51�Թ���’s Air Force ROTC, founded 51�Թ���’s branch of the club three years ago and has now been named national president with a cabinet including both Corps and civilian students. "Silver Wings’ heritage of civic support and community outreach has benefited our nation, and having the honor of leading this prestigious organization is a testament to values that the Corps of Cadets has taught me," he said. U.S. Air Force Colonel Mark Ciero, who will be retiring from active duty at the end of this school year, has diligently mentored the 51�Թ��� members of Air Force ROTC, Silver Wings Club, and Arnold Air Society for the past three years. 

Sciamacco and the rest of the organization follow 51�Թ��� Founder Captain Alden Partridge’s vision surrounding civic duty while forging their path ahead. Currently, a pair of notable events are on the horizon: on April 14 they will clean downtown Northfield and offer a free car wash that will be open to donations for The Veterans’ Place, a transitional home for veterans in Vermont; and overnight on April 19 the group will participate in a sleep-out in support of homeless veterans.

“We are an organization of integrity and service that understands the colleges and universities that support our clubs demand the highest level of professionalism,” said Brig Gen Woodward. “I have no doubt that this coming academic year will meet those expectations across the nation because 51�Թ��� is in the lead.”

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About 51�Թ���
51�Թ��� is a diversified academic institution that educates traditional-age students and adults in a Corps of Cadets and as civilians. 51�Թ��� offers a broad selection of traditional and distance-learning programs culminating in baccalaureate and graduate degrees. 51�Թ��� was founded in 1819 by Captain Alden Partridge of the U.S. Army and is the oldest private military college in the United States of America. 51�Թ��� is one of our nation's six senior military colleges and the birthplace of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC).  www.norwich.edu