Phi;
Cadet Strand was also one of three graduating seniors in the Charleston
area to receive an award for outstanding academic achievement by the Low
Country Phi Beta Kappa Association.
THE CITADEL
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| OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT |
Tele: (843) 953-5012 FAX: (843) 953-5287 |
May 1998
Dear Parents,
Now that graduation is over, I have an abundance of good news to pass along to you regarding this past semester's activities at The Citadel.
In my last letter, I mentioned the Summerall Guards' disbandment. I am pleased to report that the situation has since been resolved; the 1998 Guards resumed their training of the Bond Volunteers, and in the traditional Corps Day ceremony they relinquished their rifles to the rising volunteers who now compose the 1999 Summerall Guards.
The Citadel
chapter of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society initiated an impressive 59
new members. To be eligible undergraduates must be in the top 4% of their
class and seniors must be in the top 8% of their class; graduate students
must meet the same criteria in their undergraduate studies and have a 4.0
average in their graduate studies. Regimental Commander Cadet Brett Strand
was one of 50 students nationwide to receive a $7,000 graduate fellowship
from Phi Kappa Phi;
Cadet Strand was also one of three graduating seniors in the Charleston
area to receive an award for outstanding academic achievement by the Low
Country Phi Beta Kappa Association.
The Citadel Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering hosted the 36th Annual American Society of Civil Engineering Conference of the Carolinas. Over 300 students from colleges and universities from Duke to Georgia Tech met at The Citadel to compete in the various events that required students to work as a team and demonstrate engineering principles learned in class. The Citadel tied for 4th place overall.
Engineering students Sgt. Mark Gelazela, a student in the Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Education Program (MECEP), and Cadet Shawn Tobias were awarded scholarships by the honor engineering society Tau Beta Pi. Christine Maceo, a student in the College of Graduate and Professional Studies (CGPS), was awarded the Tau Beta Pi Scholarship Medal for having the highest GPA of all graduating engineering students. Cadet Daryl Smith was presented the Razor Award by the Department of Electrical Engineering for his outstanding work as a senior electrical engineering major. Senior electrical engineering majors demonstrated their design projects at the 8th Annual Citadel Electrical Engineering Department Symposium. Cadets designed and constructed a number of sophisticated projects, including an electric wheelchair and a home security system. In the William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition Cadet Jason Skinner tied for 290th place, one of only three students from S.C. to rank in the top 500 of approximately 2500 contestants from over 400 colleges and universities in North America.
Cadets Jasonric Galang and Jonathan Kunz were inducted into The Citadel chapter of Psi Chi psychology national honor society which stipulates that members must be in the top 1/3rd of their class and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Cadet Doug Lambert presented a paper in conjunction with Capt. Kerry Lassiter and Capt. Darin Matthews at the Southeast Psychological Association in Mobile, Ala. Cadet Noel Sawatzky, a junior psychology major, was selected to participate in the Foundation for Economic Education Spring Seminar in Economics and Liberty. At the S.C. Psychological Association's annual meeting, The Citadel made an impressive showing, garnering four of six possible awards. In the undergraduate division, Cadet Jonathan Kunz won 1st place with his paper on smoking cessation, and in the graduate division CGPS student Sandy Peagler won 1st place with her paper on the classification of at-risk pre-school children. Cadets O.J. Faulk, Eileen Guerra, and Samuel Maldonado were awarded honorable mention in the undergraduate division for a paper they presented together, and CGPS student Gray Buchanan was awarded honorable mention in the graduate division. At the Southeastern Regional Conference of Phi Alpha Theta, the international history honor society, Cadet T.J. Gilmore presented a paper on Justice Hugo Black and Cadet Jamie Sadler presented a paper on the S.C. Dixiecrats in the election of 1948.
Senior
engineering Cadets Rob Still, Shawn Gore, and Ben Duke along with Lt. Col.
Dennis Fallon and Col. Thomas Dion returned from the American Society for
Engineering Education's Southeastern Annual meeting where they presented
a paper that detailed mapping the town of Summerville.
Cadet Joshua Jenkins was one of 20 students nationwide to be awarded the Sigma Delta Pi National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society Scholarship for a four-week course of study in Cuernavaca, Mexico. He was also awarded Sigma Delta Pi's Premio Grabriela Mistral for outstanding academic achievement in Spanish course work and contributions to the honor society (approximately five students nationwide receive this distinction annually). Cadet Jason Rochester was awarded the Modern Language Department's 1998 Spanish Language Award for outstanding academic achievement and collaboration in departmental activities.
At the Annual Spring Student Research Night, three cadets presented the research they had conducted which was sponsored wholly or in part by Citadel Development Foundation (CDF) funds: Jason Goebel on mutant genes; Dean Sproles on the habitats of sciaenops ocellatus, and Matthew Thoma on the oviposition pattern of aedes sollicitans. Five biology majors were awarded scholarships from the Department of Biology for outstanding academic achievement: Jason Goebel, the Skanchy Scholarship; Cadets Jason Graham and Christopher Hasty, the Metcalf Scholarship, Cadets Hartmut Casson and Jason Goebel, the Tandy Rice Scholarship; and Cadet Andrew Ferrell, the Jeter Scholarship. Cadets Christopher Bray, Thomas Brodie, Cecil Collins, Andrew Ferrell, Thomas Gibbs, Eric Grenier, Joshua Hermsen, Wesley Jones, James Leitner, Richard Meador, Geoffrey Pagano, Brooks Taber, and Michael Wehman were inducted into Beta Beta Beta, the national biology honor society.
Cadet Zach Kendall, a senior majoring in English, was presented the Mikell Award for having maintained a 4.0 average in his English courses during his study at The Citadel. Editor-in-Chief Joshua Jenkins and Assistant Editors Christopher McFarland and Bradley Moorer successfully published the 2nd edition of The Gold Star Journal, a Citadel scholarly journal, for Corps Day. This year's edition included papers written by Cadets Randy Finn, Joshua Jenkins, David Rawlinson, Dean Sproles, Brett Strand, and Walter Zink.
The Shako, The Literary Magazine of The Citadel, contained fine examples of cadet creative writing. Cadets contributing to the spring edition were Dave Allman, Gabe Conlon, Brent Daniels, Ben Dawson, David Dusenbury, Will Hiley, Mike Jones, Ian Levay, Jason Nunnery, Mark Powell, Christian Sessoms, Bryant Sweatt, Tommy Williford, Kristopher Whitehead, and Ted Uppole.
The faculty remain busy in their scholarly pursuits. Capt. Kerry Lassiter in psychology is currently investigating the psychometric properties of a new intelligence test called the General Abilities Measure for Adults (GAMA). Lt. Col. Saul Adelman and his physics students have been collecting data in a collaborative project funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation. Capt. Alix Darden in biology with the help of cadets has been conducting research using molecular biology techniques to study genes that are important during development. Lt. Col. Richard Porcher in biology is working on his 4th book, Wildflowers of South Carolina. Lt. Col. David Shields in the English department is co-authoring a very interesting book The Republican Court about the code of manners established by Martha Washington.
At graduation Cadet Ryan Price, selected by the senior class, was presented the John O. Willson Ring for his sterling character. Cadet Brett Strand received the 1st honor graduate scholarship award for having the highest GPA, and Cadet Todd Garrett was the recipient of the bronze medallion for best exemplifying the lofty characteristics of the late Algernon Sydney Sullivan.
In other awards presented throughout the semester, Cadet Brett Strand received the Palmetto Award for performance that reflects great credit on the college and the state; he was also the recipient of the Wade Hampton Saber for outstanding leadership and contribution to the Corps of Cadets. Cadet Reggie Gibbs received the Society of Cincinnati Award for embodying the superior qualities of soldier and citizen. Cadet Gibbs was also awarded the Marine Sword and Cadet Chris Farricker was awarded the Navy Sword. Both awards are given by the Navy League in recognition of superior academic and leadership skills. David Rawlinson was presented the American Legion School Award in recognition of qualities of honor, courage, scholarship, leadership, and service. Cadet Robert Hood was presented the Society of the Daughters of the American Colonists Silver Bowl for having the best record in conduct and discipline for his four years as a cadet. Cadet Christian Anderson received the Maj. Gen. Strom Thurmond Award that is bestowed on one Air Force ROTC student in the state for academic excellence, leadership ability, and military service. Cadet Michael Dye was presented the Star of the West Medal as the best-drilled cadet, and the Army Sword was awarded to Cadet Michael Adorjan for superior academic and leadership skills.
The highest ranking cadet officers for next year have been selected: Cadet Reed Wilson was named regimental commander; Cadet John Laurel, regimental executive officer; Cadet Paul Yount, 1st battalion commander; Cadet Mason Harlow, 2nd battalion commander; Cadet Daniel Fitch, 3rd battalion commander; and Cadet Michael Garry, 4th battalion commander.
The Citadel Regimental Band traveled to Savannah, Ga., to play in the St. Patrick's Day Parade, the 2nd largest in the country, while the Pipe Band performed for the opening of the MCI Heritage Golf Tournament in Hilton Head, S.C. The Pipe Band also traveled to Dunedin, Fla., where it tied for 1st place in the Southeastern Florida Pipe Band Competition. Cadet Ryan Brown of the Criminal Justice Society headed up a DUI demonstration to emphasize the seriousness of driving under the influence of alcohol. Wrecked cars were arranged to simulate an accident. Mrs. Susan Redmond of the Commandant's Office pretended to be the dead victim and Cadets Richard Coble and Christopher Farricker also acted in the demonstration. English professors Col. James Rembert and Lt. Col. David Allen along with four Citadel alumni took 16 cadets and one dog on a character-building weekend backpack trip in the El Nino-bulging Pee Dee Swamp. They killed one snake, encountered one rainstorm, and accomplished their goal--to suffer--and, thus, had a good time.
Capt. Keith Knapp, faculty advisor of the History Club, took Cadets David Preston, Eugene Osborn, Frederic Marcinak, and Trey Elrod on a canoe tour of shipwrecks found in the headwaters of the Ashley River, and even though the water level proved to be too high to see the wrecks, they enjoyed the beauty of the Ashley and learned much about maritime history from their guide.
The Citadel's chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society, has been busy. At its Greater Issues in Politics Banquet, Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr. spoke on 21st century American cities. Pi Sigma Alpha also co-sponsored a legislative process seminar featuring U.S. Representative James Clyburn who spoke on representation systems and the importance of party identification and leadership. At the Pi Sigma Alpha Awards Ceremony, 22 new members were initiated, maintaining The Citadel's standing as the state's largest chapter. Sgt. Nathan Krick, a MECEP student, received the Chapter Advisor's Award for the most outstanding service to the chapter.
Amid 260 teams throughout the country who competed to qualify for the National Intercollegiate Mock Trial Tournament, The Citadel mock trial team received a bid to go to the national competition and returned with an award for 10th place. Cadet Mason Harlow received team honors and an award for being an outstanding witness. Attorney General Charles Condon spoke at the 17th Annual Spring Reading of The Citadel Inn of Court to finish the year.
Cadets have been busy in the Charleston community this semester, volunteering their time in the Cooper River Bridge Run and the 3 ½ mile beach sweep of Isle of Palms, helping the Junior League with the Whale of a Sale, assisting Crisis Ministries and the Footlight Players, staging a leadership conference for middle school students and aiding Toole Military Magnet School. In April almost 1000 cadets took part in the Charleston Clean City Sweep spending a Saturday morning cleaning up Charleston.
The Gospel
Choir just returned from its highly successful Expect a Miracle Tour of
the 
Washington, D.C. area. They sang to shut-ins,
homeless men and women, Department of Labor officials, Senator Strom Thurmond
and staff, and church congregations. To cap off an already successful tour,
they were recorded and interviewed by Noah Adams of National Public Radio's
"All Things Considered."
At The Citadel Physics Department's 7th Annual Rocket Day approximately 50 fifth graders from Buist Academy learned about the principles that govern rocket flight and assisted by cadets, launched their own rockets on Summerall Field.
In intramural sports, Cadet Jeremy Good was voted outstanding athletic officer this year for his role in taking Hotel Company to its 3rd consecutive Board of Visitors' trophy. Cadet Chad Roache received recognition as the year's outstanding intramural athlete. Cadet Charles Thomas was recognized by his peers as outstanding referee. Cadet Christopher Niemiec broke the long standing 25 meter free-style school swimming record with a time of 11.13 seconds. Our new lacrosse coach, Don Hothem, was selected by the Southeastern Lacrosse Conference as the Eastern All-Star coach and players Austin Atkinson, Brian Murphy, William Rexer, and Josh Wellner were selected to the All-Star team. At the Eastern Collegiate Boxing Championship Cadet Jeffrey DeSombre earned a bid to go to the National Collegiate Boxing Championship. The Pistol Club (composed of Cadets Howard Brown, Peter Marra, Lee Gessner, Christopher Canavan, and Sgt. Paul Chadwick, a MECEP student) placed 4th in the Collegiate National Championships and won the National ROTC competition. Senior Cadet Howard Brown was named 1st Team All-American in all three events--free pistol, standard pistol, and air pistol. Cadet Christopher Canavan finished in 4th place in the Junior World Team Selection trials for target pistol and may find himself traveling on the junior team to Barcelona, Spain, in July.
This year football had its 1st winning season since 1994; basketball, its 1st since 1989; and baseball won the title of the Southern Conference Tournament for the 3rd time in the last five years. Baseball's winning season--the 10th in the last eleven seasons--marks The Citadel's 1st winning season in all three sports in nine years. Cadets Tom Martin, Philip Hartig, Terrence Smalls, Aaron Haigler, Jerry Simmons, and Brian Rogers were The Citadel's All-Southern Conference selections. Shortstop Terrence Smalls was voted by the senior class to receive The Brigadier Foundation's President's Award. The outlook for next year is equally good--varsity coaches have signed a number of superior athletes, including women who will add to our track and volleyball teams.
Both CDF and The Citadel
Brigadier Foundation have been successful in raising funds for the college.
This semester Mrs. J. Everett Moore of Ashland, Ky., generously donated
$100,000 to The Citadel for the establishment of a scholarship in honor
of her son. In the 1998 fiscal year-to-date, The Brigadier Foundation has
raised more than it did in the entire 1997 year and more than it did in
the 1996 year. Year-to-date contributions to The Citadel are in excess of
3 million dollars versus last year's 1.8 million. If you are interested
in making a contribution to support college academics through CDF or in
other ways, please contact Kim Flint at (843) 953-5297. If you are interested
in making a contribution to support athletics through the Brigadier Foundation,
please contact Stan Hurteau at (843) 953-5277.
In the admissions office, applications are on the rise; 1330 have been received, including 85 female applicants. Applicants with SAT scores of 1100 or better are up 9%, and there has been a 58% increase in the number of Citadel Scholar competitors. The future is bright for The Citadel as it is for the Class of 1998 who graduated on May 9th and who will go out to represent The Citadel across the land. May God bless them with great success in all their endeavors.
Sincerely,
John
S. Grinalds
Major
General, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired)
President,
The Citadel
Featured Cadet Military Awards
| July | 30 | Athletic Cadre Reports |
| August | 6 | 4th Class Athletes Report |
| 11 | Leadership Seminar Attendees Report | |
| 14 | Cadre Reports | |
| 22 | 4th Class Cadets Report | |
| 30 | Corps Returns | |
| September | 1 | Drop/Add for Day Classes Begins |
| 2 | Day Classes Begin | |
| 7 | Drop/Add Ends |