As part of our class’s 50th high school reunion activities earlier this month, we were invited to participate in commencement ceremonies at Norwich Free Academy a half-century after our own. Involving the graduating class from 50 years earlier is one of the traditions that makes NFA the prominent and unique institution that it is. So, the opportunity to participate in graduation some 50 years after our own was a big deal.

In many respects this impressive Class of 2022 resembled our own a half-century earlier, joyfully collecting hard-earned diplomas, waving happily to cheering friends and loved ones before re-taking seats among the hundreds of fellow graduates and contemplating the future. You wonder what they’re thinking as you look out over the sea of graduates, talking excitedly among themselves as they take their seats. If they’re like our class, they’re not thinking much beyond plans for the summer. They can dwell on the longer-range future later. This was a time to celebrate present day.

Most just happily accepted their diplomas, but of course others were more, let’s say, animated when they crossed the threshold. Some danced, others raised their arms triumphantly, others kept it to a subtle fist-pump.

Two generations apart

There were differences in the two classes, too, of course. Most prominently, there were no cell phones in our day, thus no selfies as we crossed the stage or gathered with friends and family. However, that didn’t diminish the sense of relief, joy and accomplishment we all felt — and that these young people undoubtedly felt — as we were finally able to clutch those prized diplomas and prepare for the next phase of our lives.

There had been times, after all, when some of us — in fact, some in any graduating class — wondered if we’d make it through those four years. And if so, what then?

Robert Weisman, a smart, down-to-earth fellow from our class who would go from editor of the school’s Red & White campus newspaper to prize-winning business writer for The Boston Globe, delivered the commencement address, and truly nailed it. Rob’s address didn’t adhere to the usual dull and lengthy commencement speeches that are long on cliches and short on substance. Instead, he offered some modest, plain-spoken advice that the graduates will find useful, if they were paying attention.

As Rob kept his address relatively brief and topical, most of them seemed to have taken temporary leave of their cell phones to actually listen to his message.

He urged the graduates to “try to make a difference — in your work, in the lives of your family and friends, in your community. Coach sports, volunteer at a hospital, register to vote, get involved in public life.

“Some in my generation were idealistic. They rallied for peace, and civil rights, and clean air and water,” he recalled. “Every generation strives to leave a better world for the next. But our record is at best mixed. I guess this is where I should say something reassuring about the challenges you face. But you know them as well as I do.

“You’ve come of age in a time of plagues — Covid, mass shootings, climate disasters, racial injustice and more. If we’re honest, we’d have to say my generation has left you with more messes to clean up than anyone deserves. That wasn’t our intent, and some of us will be here for a while to help with the cleanup. But however unfair, the task falls largely on your shoulders.”

Most graduating classes have stars, but from NFA each year come young people who go out into the world uniquely qualified to take on their generation’s toughest challenges. Alumni include a best-selling author and professional athletes, inventors, prominent surgeons, chief justices of the Connecticut Supreme Court, members of Congress, the sitting mayor of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and a former commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, just to name a few.

It was a genuine honor for our 30 or so 1972 class members to march onto the football field ahead of the 487 young men and women, soon-to-be graduates, who were clad in crisp red caps and gowns.

The football field, now covered with artificial turf and surrounded by a synthetic track, was neatly adorned with ornate white picket fence sections set against clusters of red roses. The NFA campus, with its stately brick buildings (seven of which are on the National Register of Historic Places) and freshly painted trim, manicured lawns and blossoming trees, had never looked better. The Norwich Department of Public Works followed suit, and on Graduation Day, Chelsea Parade’s lawn across the street from the campus, had been beautifully trimmed. This is an important day each year in The Rose City.

Wildcat pride

Graduation Day in any community is one of life’s milestones, but in Norwich, NFA’s commencement is something special. Front yards throughout the city were adorned with congratulatory lawn signs, shoppers in grocery stores proudly wore their NFA t-shirts, sweatshirts and hats, and festive graduation balloons in Wildcat red and white were tied to everything in the city from utility poles to chain link fences. If you didn’t graduate from NFA, you can’t help but catch Wildcat fever once you’re living in Norwich.

Yes, the NFA commencement is truly something to behold. Aside from being steeped in history and tradition, it is by far the largest in southeastern Connecticut and certainly among the largest in New England, even though the Class of 2022 graduated about 200 fewer students than our Class of 1972 when more than 3,000 students comprised the student body.

How could there not be tradition? After all, NFA was founded in 1854. Its very mission statement still borrows liberally from Founder John P. Gulliver’s dedication address in 1856 when the school opened:

“Since 1856, Norwich Free Academy has adhered to the philosophy of its founder to ‘return to our hamlets and our homes its priceless freight of youthful minds, enriched by learning, developed by a liberal culture, refined by study of all that is beautiful in nature and art, and prepared for the highest usefulness and the purest happiness.”

It’s a lot to absorb, but then that’s what an NFA education is all about, from its media center to the Slater Museum and everything else that is part of this 13-building, 38-acre college-like campus.

After a beautiful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner by the NFA Ambassadors, the choral group sang Hymn Dundee, first performed at the school’s dedication in 1856. It is heartening that NFA, a private institution, embraces the traditional hymn and its references to God at a time when many public and private schools shun any mention. The lyrics have as much meaning — if not more — than they did 166 years ago.

“Let children hear the mighty deed

Which God performed of old

Which in our younger years we saw

And which our fathers told

Thus shall they learn, in God alone

Their hope securely stands

That they may ne’er forget His works

But practice His commands.”

Godspeed to the NFA Class of 2022. Go out into the world, work hard, find solutions and be good at what you do, serve and set an example for others, give back generously in time, expertise and resources in whatever community you live. In doing all that, just always remember your educational foundation at NFA, “a priceless pearl.”

Bill Stanley, a former vice president at L+M Hospital, grew up in Norwich.