Spring 2026
Dear Northwestern NROTC Alumni and Friends,
The achievements of the Northwestern University NROTC Unit and its midshipmen continue to be nothing short of extraordinary. Improvements in the quality of midshipmen performance and overall unit enrollment continue to excel. The command maintains its laser focus on increased enrollment and retention of high-quality midshipmen. At least as impressive have been indicia of exceptional academic, training and overall performance in all four of our midshipmen classes. All this at a time when the contribution of our youngest members of the Navy and Marine Corps team is at the very forefront of public attention.
The sustained performance of Unit recruitment and retention continues to be driven by our Command’s focus on program visibility at both Northwestern and Loyola University of Chicago. Measures have been implemented to ensure Unit midshipmen are viewed in their respective school communities as integral parts of campus life. This will be emphasized during the Fall 2026 Northwestern homecoming weekend when we will celebrate being one of the nation’s six original NROTC units. Plans are underway to recognize the Unit and its alumni on this weekend for their significant contribution to Northwestern and our nation over the past 100 years. More information to follow.
The Scholarship Fund supports our command’s focus by ensuring financial assistance is available when and where needed to attract and retain midshipmen coping with increases in the cost of a higher education and economic challenges faced by many families. Affordability of higher education for many of our midshipmen is the determining factor in pursuing their passion to earn a commission in the U.S. Navy or Marine Corps. The Fund’s scholarships totaling $90,000 for the upcoming school year will allow many of our midshipmen to pursue their passion and avoid working long hours at part-time jobs or taking on high levels of long-term debt. The Board reviewed nineteen grant applications this year, the largest number ever received. Through tax deductible contributions to the Fund, a source of support not available to midshipmen at other NROTC units, you help attract and retain some of the nation’s best students to our Northwestern-Loyola Unit.
Many of our recent graduates are applying lessons learned while in the Unit to current Naval operations. Your contribution to our NROTC Scholarship Fund signals pride in, and honors the dedication of, these young men and women who now serve our nation. Your ongoing financial support also ensures current and future students have the opportunity for a higher education second to none while concurrently earning a commission in our Naval service. A contribution to the Fund also underscores the critical role that our Unit, Northwestern, and Loyola play in developing well-rounded, thoughtful and highly educated Navy and Marine Corps leaders for the future.
For these reasons, consider making, or if possible increasing, a contribution to the Scholarship Fund. You may do so by using the enclosed form or accessing our website (www.nu-nrotc.org). As in the past, we welcome alumni biographical updates and contact information using the enclosed form. When you can, help us connect with alums with whom contact has been lost. Alumni news may be included in future Crow’s Nest articles and on the alumni website. We also encourage alumni to connect via LinkedIn by joining the Northwestern University and Loyola University Navy ROTC Alumni group (14606758).
Best Regards,
Tony Fessler
NU, Class of 1970
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Thank
You!