Dear Parents,                   

December 2001: President Bush addresses the Corps of Cadets on the future security of the country.

                   Life at The Citadel in these last seven months has been eventful, beginning August 8 with the final demolition of Padgett-Thomas Barracks, the oldest building on campus, to make room for a new up-to-code Padgett-Thomas that will provide safer housing for our cadets. The new barracks is scheduled for completion in 2004. Ten days after the demolition of Padgett-Thomas, the largest freshman class in 20 years—694— entered Lesesne Gates, proof that a Citadel education is a much sought after beginning to a résumé.

                   The September 11 terrorist attacks had an enormous impact on campus. The monthly blood drive in Mark Clark Hall had such an influx of volunteers from the Corps and the public that Red Cross staff had to turn many away. The Regimental Band added God Bless America to the parade repertoire, and 39 cadets in the National Guard were alerted in support of Operation Noble Eagle.

                   Three months later President Bush honored the college with a visit to deliver a policy speech on the 21^st century military. The cadets were enthusiastic and the president responded in kind. You would have been very proud of them. Indeed, there are many other ways that your sons and daughters would have made you very proud throughout the semester, and I would like to take the opportunity to tell you about some of them.

In academic life

                   Cadets have been taking an active role in intellectual pursuits. Cadet Stephen Foland won second place in the 2001 Phi Alpha Theta North Carolina Regional Essay Contest with his paper South Carolina and the Rise of America’s Rail Industry, 1821-1843. At the Phi Kappa Phi lunch symposium, members gathered for an exciting panel discussion on world events, discussing such topics as biological warfare and the mobilization of U.S. troops. The Moslem Student Association hosted a panel discussion on Islam and terrorism to educate cadets and the public on the difference between Islam and the actions taken by terrorists on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The discussion garnered quite a bit of interest from the local media and was well attended by the Corps. Cadets Stephen Foland, Mike Glenn, Benjamin Grusin, and Doug Miller participated in the annual model United Nations held in January in Montreal, Canada, at McGill University. Our cadets were among 1200 other students participating.

                   Psychology majors graduating in 2001 scored in the 85 percentile of the national psychology examination given to psychology majors across the country. This is our highest score ever. More than 500 cadets made Dean’s List (3.2+ GPA) and 180 cadets earned Gold Stars (3.7+ GPA) for the fall semester. Two distinguished visiting professors joined The Citadel faculty for the 2001-2002 academic year. As the Mark W. Clark Professor of History, Catherine Clinton, a recognized authority on women in the American South, taught a course in the fall on slavery in America. Currently, she is teaching a graduate course on American reform movements in the 19^th century and organizing a speaker series on blacks and women in the military. Former ambassador to the United Kingdom, Philip Lader, serves as the John C. West Professor of Government and International Relations. In this capacity Lader has brought a host of prominent personalities to the college, including Juan Enriquez, business futurist and Harvard professor; Marsha Johnson Evans, national executive director of the Girl Scouts; and Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Marc Grossman, the third-ranking senior official in America’s war on terrorism.

In the spotlight

                   On September 14, Col. Ralph Tice presented Cadet Benjamin Hodgins the Legion of Valor Award for his exemplary successes as a Naval ROTC cadet. The highly competitive award is only given to six rising seniors across the country. Cadets Stephen Donohoe, Dan Follett, Sharon Hacker, Saverio Perrotta, Mike Regner, Robert Wiley, and Sean Williams were recognized as Distinguished Naval Students. Receiving awards for Outstanding Military Aptitude were Cadets Adam Burch, John Campigotto, Michael Dalrymple, Sharon Hacker, Robert Wiley, and Lindsay Whittecar. Our military program set records last year. Army ROTC had the highest rate of commissioned officers (74) graduating in six years. Air Force ROTC had its best contracting rate since 1986 and the Navy/Marine program set record numbers. A total of 141 graduates earned commissions during the last academic year.

                   At the South Carolina Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (SCAHPERD) convention in Myrtle Beach, Cadet Randy Corn was one of the two people awarded the Student Scholarship. Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Education Program (MECEP) student Staff Sergeant Michael Mishoe was recognized as the SCAHPERD Major of the Year. Cadet Mason Austin was elected president of the student association. And finally, a student team from The Citadel placed third at the Superstars Competition, which tested skill as well as knowledge. Included on the team were Cadets Randy Corn, Laura Gisinger, Toshika Hudson, Matt Rowell, and MECEP students David McGrath, Michael McNeal, and Michael Mishoe.

Taffy Tamblyn, daughter of the late Col. Loring Himelright, presents the Himelright Scholarship to Cadet Austin Eckles.

                   Cadet Austin Eckles received the Colonel Loring K. Himelright Scholarship for his outstanding performance as a civil engineering student. The Himelright scholarship fund provides an annual scholarship award to a rising civil engineering senior as selected by the department faculty in the amount of $1000. Cadet Michael Ellisor, a junior chemistry major, volunteered in the Science Fair Assistance Project at the Charleston County Library, spending two Sunday afternoons a month assisting school children with their science fair projects. Senior Cadet Skip ReVille distinguished himself assisting the Writing and Learning Strategies director conduct Wednesday night writing workshops, foregoing his senior Wednesday night privilege. At a Moja Festival, an annual African-American arts and history fair, Cadets Micah Griggs and Sean Waterman recited their own poetry.

                   Tau Iota, The Citadel chapter of Sigma Delta Pi, the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society, was named an honor chapter for the ninth consecutive year by the society’s national executive committee. Only 18 of the 501 chapters nationwide received this distinction for outstanding activities accomplished during the 2000-2001 academic year.

In cadet activities and on campus

Cadets forming the procession of lights enter the chapel at the Candlelight Service.

                   Parents' Weekend took place October 12-14. Some 316 first class cadets received their rings in Summerall Chapel and Mike Company won the Kelly Cup competition for the best-drilled fourth class squad. The seventh annual Halloween Buddy Dance was hosted by The Citadel and the Advocacy Coalition for Persons with Disabilities on October 23 at the alumni center. An estimated 200 adults with physical or mental disabilities attended the dance. More than 50 cadets were on hand to dance with the guests, mingle, and help with refreshments. Several dozen cadets, including many health and physical education majors and sport science majors, teamed up with Medical University of South Carolina sponsors to host a Youth Fitness Festival for children ages 5 to 14.

                   Alumni from all over the country returned to their alma mater November 9-11 for Homecoming Weekend. The college was abuzz with activity, including a Citadel Chorale concert, an ice hockey game, and a football game. The Corps of Cadets presented the annual Christmas Candlelight Service to the community December 1-3. The combined cadet choir and brass ensemble performed magnificently, once again making the service a holiday highlight in the Lowcountry.

In community service

                   Cadets donated more than 5,500 hours of their free time to community service projects. They also donated more than $6,500 to The Citadel’s annual United Way campaign, bringing the campus total to more than $40,000 donated to programs and services that will make an enormous impact on the citizens of the Lowcountry. Cadet Mark Christensen and nine fellow cadets assisted the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk in late September. Cadet Christensen and 15 other cadets assisted with the Charleston County Medical Society Auxiliary and the Medical University Women’s Club with the Ghostwalk Charleston which raises money for university programs and scholarships.

                   A color guard led by Cadet Jonathan Cook performed in the South Carolina 200 pre-race ceremonies at Darlington International Raceway in September. The race aired nationally on TNT. Twenty cadets served as greeters for the speakers of each state's house of representatives at the National Speakers' Conference in September. Cadet Yaunna Thompson led 20 cadets who served as escorts and a color guard at the AME Zion Palmetto Conference.

                   Cadet Nick Anderson and 10 fellow cadets assisted with the Ronald McDonald House Fall Cleanup. Cadet Brandon Ansley and a group of 12 cadets took part in the Scottish Rites 200^th anniversary, displaying the colors and serving as ushers for distinguished guests. Cadet Josh Porter and 25 members of the rugby team assisted with the setup and cleanup of the Coca-Cola Olympic torch relay in Charleston. And Cadet Jay Hardister along with 40 cadets helped with the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

Cadets participate in the rededication of Marion Square, site of the original Citadel campus.

                   In late October 15 cadets and Lt. Col. Bill Woolsey paddled hundreds of children and adults in boats in the Halloween in the Swamp event. Approximately 15 cadets helped the Isle of Palms Recreation Center with a Halloween carnival for hundreds of area children and their families. The Regimental Band and Pipes have been busy, performing at 94 official functions since the beginning of the year. They gave an impressive performance at the rededication ceremony of Marion Square on December 5. Approximately 100 staff and cadets represented the college. Other performances throughout the semester included the Charleston Highland Games, a community memorial service following the September 11 tragedies, the State House Domestic Violence Awareness event, the Blue Star Memorial Dedication, and the U.S. Forestry Association convention. Cadets provided assistance to the Charleston Fall Garden Show to benefit the Lowcountry Children’s Museum, Mepkin Abbey Botanical Gardens, Parks of Charleston Sertoma, Clemson’s Master Gardeners and the Charleston Horticultural Society. Cadets John Heatherly and Jeb Cleveland, leading a group of seven cadets, gave up part of their Thanksgiving break to participate in the Carnival at Ansonborough Park. Profits from the carnival were donated to Happy Days and Special Times and the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program.

                   In December, Cadet Benjamin Grusin and Air Force ROTC cadets raised $380 at a car wash at Charleston Air Force Base. The proceeds were donated to the 2001 Combined Federal Campaign which supports more than 2,000 charitable agencies. Cadet Sha Peterson and members of The Citadel African American Society held a holiday food drive for the less fortunate. The cadet members collected 3,166 items of non-perishable food that were donated to the Lowcountry Food Bank. The Citadel chapter of Psi Chi, the National Honor Society for Psychology, sponsored their annual Christmas giving tree, collecting items of clothing and toiletries to be donated to the Crisis Ministries homeless shelter.

In athletics

                   The Citadel welcomed ice hockey as a new club sport in September. The team plays in Division III of the American Collegiate Hockey Association, which also includes clubs from Georgia Tech, University of Florida, Virginia Commonwealth University and Clemson University. Although the team experienced growing pains in the fall, Cadets Joe Calore, Jay Grewal, and Tylian Goss provided leadership that helped them improve.

                   The Ranger Challenge Team competed at the Annual Southeastern Regional Competition at Ft. Jackson in Columbia, S.C., in October. Army ROTC teams from 18 colleges and universities competed. Led by Cadet Thomas Compitello, The Citadel A-team placed third. The B-team, led by Cadet Jason Coad, placed first.

                   The boxing team trained well in preparation for its spring season in the National Collegiate Boxing Association. Newcomer Cadet Anthony Dela Rosa joined his brother Cadet Armando Dela Rosa and Cadets Jeremy Conkling and Chris Munar as they begin the journey to qualify for the national championship tournament at the U.S. Naval Academy in April.

                   The skydiving team was grounded during football season as a result of the September 11 terrorist attacks. No jumps were permitted over athletic stadiums. Despite the setback, Cadets Bradley Sines and Patrick Fleming continued their training, earning instructor licenses that certify them to coach and jump solo.

Rifle team Cadets Forrest Payne and Janean Tavares pose for a picture.

                 Cadet Will Murray won the national collegiate pistol championship in rapid fire, standard and category C in Atlanta in June, and expectations are high for the team this spring. Returning All-Americans Chris Barker, Jason Mayne, and Murray shot well in fall training matches. Staff Sergeants Geoffrey Newton and Freddy Morales will challenge Cadets Chris Seltz-Petrash and Jeremy Pressgrove for the final two spots on the men’s team. Athletic opportunities continue for women at The Citadel with the addition of a women’s division of the pistol team. Cadets Marilyn Castro, Rikki Felts, and Marina Jurcic train, travel, and compete with the men.

                   Intramurals play an integral part of cadet life. India Company, led by Athletic Officer Clyde Eltzroth, finished the fall semester in first place. Chasing them for the Board of Visitor’s Trophy were Alpha, Bravo, Delta, and Hotel companies.

                   Four cadets were Distinguished Graduates from Air Force ROTC field training during the summer. These cadets were ranked in the top 10 percent of all ROTC cadets nationwide: Brandon Conwill, Derek St. John, Christopher Barnett, and Wesley Maxwell. Cadets Nicholas Saucier, Sherwood Willis, Candida Colon, John Kosobud, Robert Glas and Morgan Williamson were Superior Performers for Air Force ROTC field training during the summer. They ranked in the top 20 percent of all ROTC cadets nationwide. Cadets Michael Herold, Stephen Sprinkle, James Pinson, David Rodriguez, Michael Roy and Albert Nance won athletic awards at Air Force ROTC field training during the summer for scoring in the top 10 percent of physical fitness test scores nationwide. Cadets Sprinkle and Pinson joined the Air Force ROTC 500 Club when they scored perfect scores on their physical fitness test during Air Force ROTC field training. Cadets Mark Suthard and Albert Spence received marksmanship awards during Air Force ROTC field training for qualifying as experts on the range.

                   The rugby team hosted eight teams from across the South in the first Southern Classic Tournament. The team went on to win second place in the college division. Cadets Sharon Hacker and Robert Killian led the college to an overall victory at The Citadel Invitational Cross Country Meet. Cadet Hacker won the women's 5K race with a time of 19:10, and Cadet Killian won the men’s 8K with a time of 26:15.

                   Women's soccer began its inaugural season with wins over Columbia College, South Carolina State, and Coker College. Cadet Kelly Pesterfield, who scored her first three goals in The Citadel's first-ever women's soccer game against Columbia College, was ranked ninth in the nation in goals per game, and Cadet Jessica Walters was ranked eighth in the nation in saves per game. Men’s soccer started its season with a 1-0 defeat against Charleston Southern University. In women's volleyball Cadet Maggie Maisonet finished the season as the college's all-time leader in total blocks.

                   Despite the football team's losing season, the team was regarded as one of the most improved teams in the Southern Conference. Cadet Travis Stephens, an all-American and academic all-American middle linebacker in 2000, was nominated for honors once again for leading the Southern Conference in tackles. Cadet Stephens led the team on the field as well as in post-season awards. Cadet Stephens along with Cadets Omar Nesbit, Maurice Murphy, and Kevin Howard received All-Southern Conference honors.

                   Your sons and daughters are making tremendous contributions in the classroom, on the field, and in the Lowcountry, and very soon they will be taking their leadership talent out into the world to make even greater contributions. They are a fine group of young men and women.

                   Please accept Norwood's and my best wishes to you and your family. We look forward to seeing you soon.