The Citadel celebrates largest legacy class ever

63 alumni will present legacy diplomas at two commencements on Saturday

Cadets Thomas Jordan and Julia McCullohs and MBA student Gervais Hagerty just two of the more than 3,000 students at The Citadel but they share a family legacy that sets them apart from many of their peers at the college and at most other college students across the nation.

On Saturday, Jordan, McCullohs and Hagerty will graduate. As they walk across the stage to receive their diplomas, their fathers and grandfathers will be there to greet them. A Citadel tradition since 1962, parents and grandparents who are graduates of the college can present diplomas to their children and grandchildren as they graduate.

"The tradition of alumni presenting legacies with their diplomas—principled leaders of one generation saluting the next generation—is cherished by Citadel families," said Citadel President Lt. Gen. John W. Rosa. "To those families, and to the families of all graduates, I am proud to offer my congratulations on one of the greatest days of their lives"

This year 56 graduates of the Corps of Cadets will present diplomas. It is the largest number ever. The Citadel Graduate College will have 10 legacies presenting diplomas.

The Corps of Cadets commencement begins at 9 a.m. Saturday in McAlister Field House. The Graduate College commencement will follow at 4 p.m.

Cadet Jordan will be the ninth member of his family to graduate from The Citadel. Being a legacy is not altogether unlike a relay race, the Dillon, S.C., resident said.

"My challenge to myself in these past four years has been to not drop this baton. I can only hope that one day I will pass the same baton off to the next generation," he said. "It will be surreal when I am being handed a diploma from my dad and both grandfathers. I cannot imagine a finer stage to walk nor a more outstanding group of men to congratulate me."

Cadet McCullohs is a third generation legacy and the first woman in her family to graduate from The Citadel. Her father, Air Force Lt. Col. Mark C. McCullohs, Class of '87, will present her diploma.

The Peyton, Colo., resident said her grandfather passed away when she was in elementary school but she still feels a special connection to him as she prepares to graduate.

"I still remember him reminiscing about his days here," she said. "I have met some of his classmates who saw my name tag and immediately asked if I was Mac's granddaughter to which I happily replied 'yes.' They then continued to say how much fun he was to be around and how they missed him."

Gervais Hagerty, an MBA student in The Citadel Graduate College and the strategic communications coordinator in The Citadel Office of External Affairs, is a third generation legacy.

Her great-grandfather, Thaddeus Street, graduated in 1917. Her grandfather, Timothy Street, is a member of the famous Class of 1944, known as "the class that never was."

In the final days of their junior year, the members of the Class of 1944 were looking forward to summer break and their senior year at The Citadel. But senior year was not to be. The entire class was called to join the fight in World War II. The class did not have a graduation either.

After the war, some came back to finish their degrees and graduate; others did not. As part of the Class of 2008 commencement, the class received special recognition 64 years after the Class of 1944 would have graduated.

Hagerty's grandfather came back and finished his degree in 1947, but he never was able to participate in a graduation ceremony.

"Being on stage at a Citadel graduation will be a first for both of us," said Hagerty. "This is a special moment I'll cherish for a lifetime."

Corps of Cadets Legacies in the Class of 2013
(participating in commencement)

Citadel Graduate College Class of 2013 Legacies
(participating in commencement)