Northeast ROTC Commanders Visit Harvard




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CAMBRIDGE MA, 30 October 2002 -- A group of 50 Army educators including 21 Professors of Military Science and their Senior Military Instructors from universities across the Northeast visited Harvard as part of a 3 day conference in Massachusetts convened by COL J.C. Allard, Commander of the Army's First ROTC Region*. LTC Brian L. Baker, Professor of Military Science at MIT, hosted the professional development segment of the conference.
     Harvard alumni presented a workshop showcasing their outreach efforts as a model for others to follow. The Army educators heard presentations from David Clayman '38, chairman of Advocates for Harvard ROTC, Dr. Michael Segal '76, Webmaster for AdvocatesForROTC.org, COL James Metcalf '67, treasurer of the Harvard ROTC Alumni Fund and Captain Paul E. Mawn '63 USN (Ret). The presentations detailed how they have worked to enhance the role of ROTC at Harvard and how similar efforts can work throughout the region and throughout the nation.
     MIT President emeritus Paul E. Gray reflected on MIT's long and storied support of military training dating back to the 1800s when faculty and students formed a technology battalion during the Spanish-American War. Gray, himself a 1954 MIT ROTC graduate, served to the rank of captain in the Army and shared his experiences with the Army educators, stressing the role that ROTC played in his development as a leader. MIT's Dean for Undergraduate Education Robert Redwine and ROTC Oversight Committee Chair Jefferson W. Tester also addressed the commanders and stressed the support and backing MIT has provided ROTC, through thick and thin.
     The group moved to Harvard Yard and was greeted by Harvard College Dean Harry R. Lewis, who accompanied them on a tour of the Harvard campus led by Harvard student and Army ROTC cadet Kyle E. Scherer '05.  From inside Memorial Chapel, cadet Scherer noted that Harvard has produced more Secretaries of Defense and Army than any other academic institution except West Point.
     After "beer call" at John Harvard's Brew Pub, the group had dinner at the Inn at Harvard, where noted-scholar Samuel P. Huntington, University Professor and Professor of Government at Harvard, talked about the international challenges facing the United States, and LTG (Ret) Tad Oelstrom, Director of Harvard's National Security Program, commented on the importance of close links between the Armed Forces and the many resources available at Harvard.
     The ROTC commanders were inspired to plan similar efforts on their own campuses. LTC Robert J. Sova, Professor of Military Science and Commander of Cornell Army ROTC said "My hope is to generate the outstanding dedication and services like the individuals we met at this past weeks conference. They have all done so much for Harvard - maybe a little Ivy league competition amongst their peers will help here as well".
     LTC Paul C. Krajeski, Professor of Military Science at University of Rhode Island said "The TTP's (tactics, techniques, procedures) that I picked up during the MIT/Harvard staff ride will help me better direct the energy and enthusiasm that already exists among our ROTC alum. They have always made a difference with our cadets; now is the time for them to start influencing the university".
     LTC Scott D. Rutherford, Professor of Military Science at Niagara University said "The timing of this Professional Development Workshop could not have been better... we (military institutions and programs) will need a tool and some advocates to communicate the truth and dispel the myths which surround us."
     LTC Steven M. Lynch, Professor of Military Science at St. Bonaventure University said "I was truly touched by the Harvard alumni patriots for advocating Army ROTC and equally thankful for their insight and ideas on how to build a successful alumni program".
     The Alumni Workshop and events at Harvard were sponsored by the Army, the Harvard ROTC Alumni Fund and Advocates for Harvard ROTC, and financed by the Army and the Harvard ROTC Alumni Fund.

* ROTC Host institutions: Boston University & [Brandeis], Canisius College, Clarkson University & [St. Lawrence University, SUNY-Potsdam, SUNY-Canton], Cornell University, MIT & [Harvard, Wellesley, Tufts], Northeastern University & [Boston College], Niagara University, Norwich University & [Dartmouth College], Providence College & [Brown University], Rochester Institute of Technology, Siena College & [Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute], St. Bonaventure University, State University of New York at Brockport, Syracuse University, University of Connecticut & [Yale, Wesleyan], University of Massachusetts, University of Maine & [Colby College], University of New Hampshire, University of Rhode Island & [Salve Regina University and Roger Williams University], University of Vermont, Worcester Polytechnic Institute & [College of Holy Cross].