For Release
May 2002

Class of 2002 heads into the work world, military

          A diverse group of young men and women, the Class of 2002 will receive its diplomas Saturday, May 11.

           The nearly 300 cadets who are candidates for graduation come from 32 states and eight other countries. South Carolina is the most heavily represented state in the class with 139 students followed by Florida (19), Georgia (16) and North Carolina (15).

           Candidates for graduation reflect The Citadel's strength in business as the top choice of majors. The Class of 2002 includes 121 business administration majors, 31 criminal justice majors, 24 history majors, 22 political science majors, 17 civil engineering majors, 15 biology majors, and 12 psychology and 12 education majors.

          Demographically, the Class of 2002 includes 20 women and 278 men. The racial composition includes 246 whites, 20 African-Americans, 5 Hispanics, 11 international students, six Asians and two American Indians.

          The Citadel has a 60 percent graduation rate--a statistic that indicates what percentage of students earns their undergraduate degree four years after entering the institution. Despite the rigors of a military-style program, The Citadels four and five-year graduation rates have consistently been the highest among all state colleges and universities in South Carolina.

          Roughly 114 members of the Class of 2002 are candidates to receive a commission in the U.S. Armed Forces: Army--47, Air Force--49, Navy/Marines--28.

          Among those headed for military service is Regimental Commander Bobby Cox of Traveler's Rest, S.C.

          Cox and the other five cadets who make up the top leadership of the Corps of Cadets have varied plans after college. Here's a look at some of their accomplishments and future plans:

Corps of Cadets Top 6

Class of 2002

Regimental Commander
Bobby James Cox
Travelers Rest, S.C.
English major
Activities and accomplishments: Deans List, Gold Stars, Ranger Challenge, Army ROTC Scholarship, First Semester Battalion Clerk, Second Semester Regimental Clerk, Regimental Sergeant Major, 2002 Summerall Guard, Commandants List, Presidents List, Palmetto Medal recipient.
Plans after graduation? Army Infantry Officer

Regimental Executive Officer
Phillip Jason Reynolds
Columbia, S.C.
English major
Activities and accomplishments: Member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Citadel Inn of Court, The Round Table, South Carolina Student Legislature Delegate, Commandant's List.
Plans after graduation: Law school

First Battalion Commander
Brian Robertson Donehue
James Island, S.C.
English major
Activities and accomplishments: Regimental Clerk, First Battalion Sergeant Major, Dean's list, Commandant's list, and Air Force contract.
Plans after graduation? Enter the Air Force

Second Battalion Commander
Joseph Ralph Montedoro
Bradley Beach, N.J.
Business Administration major
Activities and accomplishments: Dean's List, Commandant's List, Presidential Aid, Bulldog/Bullpup volunteer, Four-year Marine Corps ROTC Scholarship, Knights of Columbus, Citadel Admissions Office, Honor Committee, Semper Fi Society
Plans after graduation? Receive a commission in the United States Marine Corps.

Third Battalion Commander
Mark Andrew Connelly
Granite Falls, N.C.
Civil engineering major
Activities and accomplishments: 2002 Summerall Guards, Commandant' List, Dean's List, Presidential Aide, Round Table Member, American Society of Civil Engineering Secretary (local chapter), ASCE National member, Student Advisory Committee, Uniform Board, Human Affairs Committee, 2001 National Conference on Ethics in America, Campus Crusade, Baptist Student Union, Chapel Choir, Intramural softball, soccer, and basketball, Regimental Clerk, Squad Corporal/Armorer, Third Battalion Sergeant Major, Vance Hightower Scholarship, Renie Clark Scholarship, Ambrose Hampton Scholarship.
Plans after graduation? Become a general contractor/engineer

Fourth Battalion Commander
Ryan O'Neal Parker
Orangeburg, S.C.
Biology and English double major
Activities and accomplishments: Vice Chairman for Education of the Honor Court, Tri-Beta Biological Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi, Summerall Guards, Medical University of South Carolina volunteer, Sigma Delta Psi, William G. Widder Award.
Plans after graduation? Medical school

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