V-12
The V-12 plan, which superseded older naval training projects, prescribed that undergraduates, professional students, and secondary school diploma holders who passed tests on academic ability, physical fitness, and leadership potential would be inducted into the armed forces as apprentice seamen or marine privates and stationed in colleges and universities. There, under military discipline and routine, they would combine academic studies with naval instruction, and they were guaranteed at least four college terms, longer if they were to be trained in engineering, medicine and dentistry, or theology. The Univserity of Rochester took steps to secure a V-12 Corps. Naval representatives who surveyed the U of R were favorably impressed and on April 29, 1943, assurances were given that the University would be awarded a unit.
President Alan Valentine
University President Valentine was the youngest President the University of Rochester has had. He assumed the office at the age of 34 in 1935. He led the University through the Depression as well as World War II. President Valentine played a critical role in the development of the V-12 program as well as establishing the Naval ROTC at UR. Along with bringing NROTC to the university, President Valentine served as the first president of the Association of Naval ROTC Universities and Colleges. He also was the first University President to begin the tradition of the annual Presidential Review, formerly the opening event of Dandelion Day. President Valentine served as President until November 1949.
Harkness Hall
Harkness Hall at the University of Rochester was originally built to house the University's NROTC Unit. Built in 1946, and named after Admiral Harkness, it was the first building outside the Naval Academy to be entirely dedicated to naval science and tactics. The building was designed to educate and train the midshipmen in a hands-on fashion. Harkness Hall contained an armory, damage control trainers, communications equipment, a rifle range, and both small and large caliber guns that were in use on U.S. warships of the time.
Admiral William Harkness, Class of 1858
The building which originally housed the NROTC unit on the River Campus was named after on of the University of Rochester's early graduates, who later became an Admiral in the United States Navy. Admiral Harkness made his most important contributions in the field of the natural sciences. He published an important report investigation the variations incurred on compasses by the earth's magnetic field. Admiral Harkness' progress in imporving photographic equipment and methods allowed him to measure the distance between the earth and other planets with unprecedented accuracy.
Thomas G. King
Thomas G. King was born on June 5 1944, in Penfield N.Y. As a midshipman he was an active participant in both the NROTC and University communities, being the Battalion Commander his senior year 1966. Upon graduation he received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps June 6 1966. After completing The Basic School in Quantico, Second Lieutenant King was assigned to Company B, First Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division in the Republic of Vietnam. After taking part in numerous small arms skirmishes, Lt. King was killed in action on July 2, 1967 while leading his platoon under enemy small arms fire. Our wardroom is named after Thomas G. King, because he received a Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts for his service to our country.