Norwich University

"There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about something in relation to Norwich," said Fran Brennan. At Norwich, Brennan played defense for the men's hockey team. Ken Howard '65, a fellow teammate. referred to Brennan as "one of the best defensemen in the history of Norwich hockey." The pai was part of the 1962-63 squad, which was the highest-scoring team in the country that year. 

Originally from Arlington, Mass., Brennan credits his success on the ice to Coach Bob Priestley and his emphasis on team play. "We learned that individuals were not important," Brennan said, "I learned about teamwork and that we needed to put individual egos aside." 

After receiving his degree from Norwich in Business Administration, Brennan, who called himself "least likely to go into the Army", spent 22 years on active duty service retiring as a Lt. Colonel. Brennan's military career brought him through several tours of duty in Vietnam in the Special Forces Group (Airborne). He has won numerous military awards and decorations, including two Silver Stars for gallantry in combat action, four Bronze stars, two Purple Hearts, two Small Unit Valor Citations and two Presidential Unit Citations. Upon retiring from service, Brennan's career has centered on criminal justice. He was the founder and CEO of two corporations that specialized in police and correctional facilities, special weapons, and tactical training. 

Brennan then transitioned into the academic field, serving as an Associate Professor and Director of the Criminal Justice program at Marian Court College in Swampscott, Mass. A program which he founded after being asked by the president of the college to start a two-year associate degree program in criminal justice and bring it through the initial accreditation process. He holds three master's degrees, has been recognized by Norwich with a Distinguished Alumnus Award and by Marian Court College with the President's Award for Distinguished Service. 

His reason for his many successes is best summed up by his philosophy that "overcoming physical pain and difficult situations and 'I Will Try' are not just empty words. They are a driving force that is burned into your soul at Norwich. Your pain and difficulty must always be put aside so that you can serve the needs of others and the team."