One of the longest seated college presidents in New England, Dr. Richard W. Schneider proudly carries on the tradition Norwich University founder Alden Partridge began over 193 years ago of developing “citizen soldiers.” Through his experience in the military and academia, as well as his service in the U.S. Coast Guard, Dr. Schneider epitomizes Norwich’s special and unique traditions.
A native of Queens, New York, Dr. Schneider is a 1968 graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. He was commissioned as an ensign in the Coast Guard and served eight years of active duty, including a tour of Vietnam. Dr. Schneider retired from the Coast Guard Reserve as a Rear Admiral.
In July 1992, Dr. Schneider became the 23rd President of Norwich University. Since then, he has championed Norwich’s charge to distinguish the University in the marketplace of higher education institutions.
Dr. Schneider has worked with Norwich’s Board of Trustee to create a comprehensive strategic plan for the University entitled NU2019. This document articulates the course Norwich will take in its quest for excellence in academia, student life, improved national brand, and improved financial security for the year 2019, as the University starts the third century of fulfilling its mission of service to its students and the nation.
During Dr. Schneider’s tenure Norwich University has seen major improvements on multiple fronts. Academically, four undergraduate colleges now offer 33 different majors. Seventy percent of Norwich students graduated in the top half of their high school class. Under his tutelage the acceptance rate to the University has dropped to 56% and an Honors Program has been instituted.
In an effort to internationalize the campus various programs at Norwich are now offered to give students the opportunity to study abroad, and to study with others who come to Norwich from overseas.
In addition to Norwich’s undergraduate programs, the Norwich College of Graduate and Continuing Studies offers, online, nine master’s degree programs, two graduate certificates and a bachelor’s degree completion program. Over 1,100 students are enrolled in these programs.
Under President Schneider's leadership, the National Center for the Study of Counter Terrorism and Cyber Crime at Norwich University was created in federal statute. The center is part of Norwich University Applied Research Institutes (NUARI), a separate non-profit research and development corporation under the direction of the Norwich University Board of Trustees. NUARI has conducted more than $50M in externally funded research. Norwich created an Office of Academic Research in 2007 with over $10M in funded projects over the past seven years.
The Corps of Cadets currently stands at approximately 1,500 members; and the University commissions into all military services. Norwich’s Army ROTC program, the University’s largest, regularly falls behind only West Point in the number of new lieutenants who head out to various stations across the world each spring.
Three separate capital campaigns under Dr. Schneider have raised over $135 million to date. These funds have been used to enhance academic programs and scholarships, as well as to add brick and mortar improvements to the campus. Since 1992 Norwich has seen the construction of the Kreitzberg Library, the Kreitzberg Arena, the Engineering, Math and Science Complex, Bartoletto Hall, the Sullivan Museum & History Center, the Wise Campus Center, the South Hall civilian dormitory, the Doyle Hall athletic complex connector, the Shaw Outdoor Center, the wood chip biomass plant, Haynes Family Stadium, the renovation of Sabine Field and the completion of our second new civilian dormitory, Dalrymple Hall.
With Dr. Schneider’s guidance and direction, Norwich University continues to produce our nation’s leaders who excel in fields of battle as well as in corporate boardrooms.
Dr. Schneider lives in Woodbury Hall in Northfield with his wife, Jaime. During his spare time he enjoys being with his 15 grandchildren.