Army ROTC Welcoming Ceremony to Harvard
28 March 2012
Twala D. Mathis
Colonel, USA
Commander, 2d ROTC Brigade

President Faust, Dean Hammonds, Major General Davenport, Brigadier General Ryan, distinguished guests and most importantly the students of Harvard University, I am honored to be here with you today for this historic event.  This is a great day for Harvard, the United States Army and the United States of America.

Today we establish a partnership agreement between Harvard University and United States Army to formally recognize an on campus presence of Army ROTC at Harvard.  Harvard has a tradition of military service dating to its founding in 1636.   The US Army traces its roots here to Cambridge and to Harvard.  In fact five current Harvard buildings were used by General George Washington and the Continental Army including Massachusetts Hall, Harvard Hall, Hollis Hall, Holden Chapel, and Wadsworth House. We are proud to partner with Harvard to commission the future leaders of our Army and our nation in a place that hold such special meaning to America’s Army.

Our two organizations share similar values and a common purpose.  The Harvard College mission statement lists the advancement and education of youth in all manner of good literature, arts, sciences and a primary goal which will lead its students in their later lives to advance knowledge, promote understanding and serve society.  These ideals and values are also shared by the US Army.  Army ROTC commissions Army Officers to meet the military’s leadership requirements and provides a citizenship program that motivates young people to be strong leaders and better citizens.  Simply, Army ROTC prepares Cadets for long term success within the military and society.  The Harvard University academic curriculum, coupled with Army ROTC training, will only benefit and enrich the students experience at Harvard.

Army ROTC offers young Americans the opportunity to serve their nation and seeks high quality students who possess the desire to lead and excel.  Through Army ROTC, students gain mental, emotional and physical strength like no other; strength to become an effective part of a team.  Army ROTC teaches, through a robust and demanding curriculum, the decision making process, management skills, leadership and discipline that can be used in either the military or civilian careers.

Harvard University, the oldest university in the United States, is undoubtedly one of the finest institutions of higher learning anywhere in the world as defined by its alumni and is charged to produce the leadership of this country in the fields of business, law, government, science and technology.

Harvard University and the US Army have a rich and distinguished connection that has continually grown and developed thru modern times.  The college named for John Harvard, whose surname is cognate with Hereward, literally meaning “Army Guard”.  Theodore Roosevelt, a medal of honor recipient and President of the United States, graduated from Harvard College in 1880 and served in the US Army as a Colonel with the famed “Rough Riders”.  Major General Leonard Wood, a medal of honor recipient, graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1884 earning a medical degree and later went on to serve as chief of Staff of the Army starting in 1910.   Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt Jr, a medal of honor recipient, graduated from Harvard College in 1909 and was the only general Officer who went ashore in the first wave at D-Day in Normandy.

Notably, Harvard mobilized the “Harvard regiment” in January 1916 with more than 1000 student members and ultimately became the Army’s new Reserve Officers Training Corps. The Harvard Regiment served as a model for the nationwide ROTC program.  The Harvard Regiment began training in January 1916 under the command of Captain Constant Cordier. Publicity soon followed, and the regiment quickly developed a reputation for excellence.  In April 1916, a New York Times article stated, “Officers of the regular army will tell you that no single institution in this country has done more to further the cause of sane and reasonable national preparedness than has Harvard, and this refers not only to undergraduates, but graduates as well.”

Today, Harvard and the US Army will once again join together formally in a common purpose and will reaffirm Harvard’s historic connection with the US Army.  The signing of the partnership agreement continues Harvard’s long and proud tradition of producing military leaders who have served in the US Army and our Nation.  President Faust, Dean Hammonds - thank you very much for your support and commitment in making today’s event happen.  Your leadership and decisions will not only enrich students’ experience at Harvard but make the military stronger and our society better as a whole.

Thank you.  ARMY STRONG