Corps of Cadets celebrates 167th birthday in 2010
The Citadel will mark the 167th birthday of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets with Corps Day, which begins Thursday, March 18 and concludes Sunday, March 21. The four-day event will focus on The Citadel’s tradition of leadership development.
Central to this year’s birthday observance is the 2010 Principled Leadership Symposium hosted by the Krause Center for Leadership and Ethics. In its third year, the two-day conference will draw approximately 100 delegates from regional colleges, senior military colleges and the federal service academies, providing delegates and Citadel cadets with an opportunity to interact and explore topics ranging from military to corporate ethics.
The Leadership Symposium also will bring several notable speakers to campus, including Gen. James T. Conway, commandant of the Marine Corps; NASA astronaut Marine Lt. Col. Randy Bresnik (Class of 1989) and Wounded Warrior Army Lt. Col. Greg Gadson, who is an Army Senior Fellow at the Institute for World Politics and former motivational speaker for the New York Giants.
Corps Day itself is one of the most highly attended weekends at The Citadel and includes dress parades, awards presentations, cadet performances and athletic events. A highlight is the mess hall birthday celebration in which the oldest alumnus and the youngest cadet share cake cutting honors.
The Corps Day tradition began with the college's inception. Founded by statute in 1842, the first 20 cadets reported for class at the old Citadel on Marion Square in downtown Charleston in 1843. The campus moved to its current location on the banks of the Ashley River in 1922.
Most Corps Day and Leadership Symposium events are free and open to the public. Please see the schedule of events for exceptions.
| Thursday 18 March | |
| 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. | Student delegates from 16 colleges and universities across the nation will take part in group discussions, panel meetings and other activities as part of the 2010 Principled Leadership Symposium. |
| 11 a.m. |
Leadership Symposium – Greater Issues Address |
| 1 p.m.– 2:15 p.m. |
Leadership Symposium – Panel Discussions Session 1 |
| 2:30 p.m.– 3:45 p.m. |
Leadership Symposium – Panel Discussions Session 2 |
| 4 p.m.– 4:45 p.m. |
Leadership Symposium – Keynote Address |
| 6:15 p.m. | Evening meal followed by the Corps of Cadets' 167th birthday celebration Coward Mess Hall Invitation Only |
| Friday 19 March | |
| 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. | Student delegates from 16 colleges and universities across the nation will take part in group discussions, panel meetings and other activities as part of the 2010 Principled Leadership Symposium. |
| 10 a.m. | Reception for Brig. Gen. Leonid Kondratiuk, Class of 1971, in recognition of his 1,000th book donation to the Daniel Library. |
| 11 a.m. | The Citadel Family Association open meeting Bond Hall, Room 165 |
| 11 a.m. | Citadel Undergraduate Research Conference Daniel Library |
| 12:30 p.m. |
Leadership Symposium |
| 2 p.m. | Tennis vs. UNC Charlotte, Earle Tennis Center |
| 2 p.m. | Presentation and dedication for the original “Big Red” Holliday Alumni Center Invitation Only |
| 3:30–5 p.m. | Original "Big Red" on public display. Holliday Alumni Center |
| 3:45 p.m. | WLI Review to commemorate the 167th birthday of the Corps of Cadets Gold Corps Alumni Recognition Summerall Field |
| 6-9 p.m. | Leadership Symposium - Dinner Speaker: Dan Cathy, CEO Chick-fil-A Holliday Alumni Center Invitation only |
| 8 p.m. | Corps Day Hop McAlister Field House |
| Saturday 20 March | |
| 8 a.m. | Information, refreshments, sale of mementos, 1st floor Reception Room, Mark Clark Hall |
| 8 a.m.–5 p.m. | Original "Big Red" on public display. Holliday Alumni Center |
| 8-10 a.m. |
Book signing: "First to Fight: Citadel Cadets, the Star of the West and Fort Sumter" by Andrew Kullberg, '83. This coffee table book includes rare photos and illustrations. Proceeds will go to the Big Red Recovery Fund. |
| 8:30–10 a.m. | Barracks and facilities open to visitors. Citadel Pipe Band will perform at each barracks. |
| 9 a.m. | Summerall Guards performance/ Bond Volunteers exchange of rifles Presentation of Anthony Griffin Sword and Clubb Award Summerall Field (Inclement weather, McAlister Field House for awards presentations) |
| 10:15 a.m. |
The Citadel Story – A musical narration of the history of The Citadel, Summerall Field |
| 11 a.m. | Dress parade Presentation of Palmetto Medals Summerall Field (Inclement weather, Summerall Chapel) |
| Sunday 21 March | |
| 9 a.m. | Protestant Service, Summerall Chapel Reception to follow, Mark Clark Hall Reception Room |
| 11 a.m. | Catholic Mass, Summerall Chapel Reception to follow, Mark Clark Hall Reception Room |
| Noon | Tennis vs. Elon, Earle Tennis Center |
| NOTE: Unless otherwise announced, outdoor activities will be cancelled in the event of inclement weather. Schedule subject to change. |
