For Release
May 6, 2003

 Judge, senator and Marine to receive honorary degrees

         The Citadel will present honorary degrees to three people with outstanding records of public service, military service to country and stewardship during the South Carolina Corps of Cadets commencement Saturday, May 10, 2003.

         Approximately 400 students will take part in graduation ceremonies beginning at 9:30 a.m. in McAlister Field House. Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley will deliver the commencement speech.

         This year's honorary degree recipients are:

• Judge Falcon B. Hawkins, Jr., doctor of laws
• Gen. Carl E. Mundy, Jr., doctor of military science
• Sen. Hugh K. Leatherman, doctor of public administration

         Falcon B. Hawkins, Jr., Citadel Class of 1958, began his public service career immediately after high school as a U.S. Merchant Marine. He served in the North Atlantic Theater until 1945 and then joined the Army, becoming a paratrooper before his honorable discharge in 1946.

         After World War II, he returned to his native Charleston and entered The Citadel as a veteran student. A determined scholar, Hawkins graduated in 1958 with honors in business administration, earning the title of Senior Veteran Gold Star Student while simultaneously working at the Charleston Naval Shipyard. He was active in college life through memberships with the Veterans Council, the Economics Honor Society and The Citadel Honorary Society.

         Judge Hawkins received his law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law and in 1963 embarked on his legal career. He was admitted to practice law before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1964. In 1979, President Jimmy Carter appointed him a United States district judge for South Carolina. He became chief judge in 1990 and, since 1993, has been a senior judge.

         Hawkins maintains close ties with his alma mater. He is a life member of The Citadel Alumni Association and supporter of The Citadel Brigadier Foundation, Inc. and The Citadel Foundation. He also has been involved with The Citadel's pre-law society, The Inn of Court.

         Retired Gen. Carl E. Mundy, Jr., enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve at age 18 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant four years later upon graduation from Auburn University. His active duty career began in 1957 and concluded at Marine Corps headquarters where he was commandant of the Marine Corps and a member of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff.

         As Marine Corps commandant, Mundy's vision helped make the Navy and Marines equal players in developing a new "From the Sea" power strategy. The Citadel benefited from Mundy's wisdom and experience when he served on the advisory council to The Citadel Board of Visitors.

         During his 38-year military career, Mundy received 17 personal decorations and 10 unit and general service awards, including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Distinguished Service Medals of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and two Navy Commendation medals.

         Following retirement in 1995, Mundy was appointed president and chief executive officer of the United Service Organizations with responsibility for 123 USO operations worldwide.

         S.C. Sen. Hugh K. Leatherman was elected to the South Carolina Senate in 1981 and used his leadership to guide the state through some formidable challenges for more than 20 years. He is Senate majority leader, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and the Joint Bond Review Committee, and serves as a member of the State Budget and Control Board. His other legislative responsibilities include education, ethics, agriculture, transportation, commerce and industry.

         A native North Carolinian, Leatherman received his bachelor of science in civil engineering from North Carolina State University in 1953. He then moved to South Carolina where he became involved in the building industry. His election to the Quinby Town Council in 1967 signaled the beginning of an illustrious career in public service.

         A prominent Florence builder, Leatherman is president of Leacon, Inc. and a managing partner of Wyboo Investments. He holds honorary degrees from Francis Marion University, the Medical University of South Carolina and the College of Charleston. He is on two advisory boards for Clemson University and is member emeritus of the Francis Marion University Board of Trustees. He chairs the Florence Area Transportation Study Policy Committee and is active in a variety of community groups.

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