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Jake Hunter Nichols of Batavia earns BS degree in Geology from Norwich University

By Billie Owens

Jake Hunter Nichols, of Batavia, received a Bachelor of Science degree magna cum laude in Geology from Norwich University at the May 12 commencement ceremony held in NU’s Shapiro Field House. 

Norwich University graduated over 500 students from 33 undergraduate academic programs and the Master of Architecture program. The Class of 2018 hailed from 33 states and 10 different countries abroad. The largest numbers of graduates were in the following majors: Criminal Justice, Management, Nursing, Mechanical Engineering, and Biology.

Navy Admiral (Ret.) and Dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University James G. Stavridis delivered the university’s 2018 Commencement address to the graduating seniors, which included 312 students in the Corps of Cadets. More than 130 graduates commissioned into the military in a ceremony on Sunday, May 13.

In his address, Stavridis connected the graduates’ educational experiences to their roles in helping to solve the most pressing problems of the day to include: a return of the great power politics; threats to democracy; climate change and pandemic. He noted there are many ways to serve the country in addition to military service and their role in building a strong military. He urged the Class of 2018 to “Listen better – to each other, allies, friends and partners and the ‘other’.”

“Pledge to build intellectual capital now…keep educating yourself…read extensively and learn a language…[and] hold onto our values.”

He further advised the graduates: “You can help security by facilitating the rise of women…and rely upon alliances and partnerships.”

Stavridis retired from the Navy in 2013 after 37 years of service and became dean of The Fletcher School in summer 2013. He is the author of several best-selling books, including: “The Accidental Admiral;” “The Leader’s Bookshelf;” and “Sea Power: The History and Geopolitics of the World’s Oceans.”

Norwich University is a diversified academic institution that educates traditional-age students and adults in a Corps of Cadets and as civilians. Norwich offers a broad selection of traditional and distance-learning programs culminating in Baccalaureate and Graduate Degrees.

Norwich University was founded in 1819 by Captain Alden Partridge of the Army and is the oldest private military college in the United States of America. Norwich is one of our nation's six senior military colleges and the birthplace of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). www.norwich.edu

In fulfillment of Norwich’s mission to train and educate today’s students to be tomorrow’s global leaders, the Forging the Future campaign is committed to creating the best possible learning environment through state-of-the-art academics and world-class facilities.

Norwich University will celebrate its bicentennial in 2019. Learn more about the campaign and how to participate in the “Year of Legacy” here: bicentennial.norwich.edu.

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