History
A Proud History
In
1771, the Vermont General Assembly granted a
charter to the University of Vermont to set aside approximately 29,000
acres
throughout the state for its support. The assembly provided that
the
Governor and the Speaker of the House would be ex-officio members of
the
University corporation. It required that the by-laws of the University
should
be given no preference to any religious sect or denomination.
The University was the fifth college to be chartered in New
England. It
was the third to be chartered by a state and the second institution of
this
type to confer the bachelor's degree. The motto of the
University, Studiis et Rabus Honestis ( Integrity in
Theoretical and Practical Pursuits) was
selected before the first graduation in 1804. This motto has
reflected
the spirit of the University through its 206 years of educational
services to
Vermont and to the nation.
The University of Vermont has done its part in supporting the efforts
of the
United States. During the War of 1812, the University of Vermont
was
closed. Many of the faculty and students went into the
service.
Buildings were used as barracks for the troops guarding the
Canadian-United
States frontier. In 1866, military training began at UVM as a
result of
the Morrill Act. Under this act, military tactics and drill
instruction
were provided. In 1874, Brevet Captain Frederick Robinson was the
first
Army officer assigned as the Professor of Military Science (PMS).
All male students were required to take part in military drill.
The
United States government provided the University with the 100
Springfield
breech loading muskets, on loan, with the necessary clothing and
equipment for
officers. Between 1898 and 1903, Army officers were not assigned
to the
University. However, Cadet Battalion Officers continued
drill. A
gymnasium and drill hall were completed for use during military
instruction.
In 1913, The University's rifle team participated in its first
intercollegiate
meet. In the fall of this year, the University of Vermont was the
first
college selected to present a Student's Army Training Course, the
precursor of
the Reserve Officer's Training Corps. In 1914, Burlington served
as the
site for the summer camp. Approximately 2,000 students attended
the
function.
With the passage of the National Defense Act of 1916, the current ROTC
program
began at the University of Vermont. In 1921, the first
commissions were
granted upon graduation. Between 1921 and 1943, 498 United States
Army
Reserve Commissions were granted. However, during World War II
the ROTC
program consisted of a basic two-year course, and it was not until 1948
that
commissions were again granted.
The entire University was formally recognized in 1955 by the Vermont
Legislature as an instrument of the State. It is now known to its
students as UVM. This popular abbreviation is derived from the
Latin, Universitas Viridis Montis, University of
the Green
Mountain.
The ROTC program became voluntary in 1964 due to the ROTC
Revitalization
Act. In 1973, women were admitted into the program and in 1977
Elizabeth
Yarnal became the first woman officer commissioned at UVM.
In June 1986, the Army ROTC program at the University was officially
designated
the Green Mountain Battalion. The unit crest is a shield with the
"Catamount", the University mascot, emblazed on it. The words,
"University of Vermont" are written in a scroll across the
bottom. The unit patch was approved by the department of
Heraldry.
It consists of a circular patch with a catamount in front of a mountain
scene,
surrounded by the words, "Green Mountain Catamounts".
Recently, the Green Mountain Battalion unit crest was changed to
include the
words "Green Mountain Battalion" on the bottom to better represent
the Cadets from our partnership schools. Currently, the Green
Mountain
Battalion includes Cadets from State University of New York
Plattsburgh, Saint
Michael's College, Champlain College, Castleton State College, Johnson
State College,
Middlebury College, and Norwich University.
Last modified November 04 2009 05:25 PM
