For Release
October 30, 2002

History of The Citadel Alumni Association
"150 years of perpetuating friendships"

          1852 - Association of Graduates is founded on Nov. 19.
          1860 to 1867 - Association doesn't meet because most of the graduates are fighting in the           Civil War.
          1865 - The Citadel's buildings fall into the hands of federal troops in February.
          1877 - Nine graduates meet in April at the Charleston Hotel to consider reacquiring The           Citadel buildings back from the federal government and reopening the school.
          1877 - All graduates whose addresses are known are invited on Dec. 14 to meet in           Charleston to reorganize the association, adopt a constitution and by-laws and elect officers.           At this meeting, a campaign to reopen the school begins. A resolution requesting the           governor to appoint a Board of Visitors is approved. The BOV would direct negotiations to           regain The Citadel property.
          1882 - The federal government returns The Citadel property to the state and the General           Assembly passes a bill authorizing the school's reopening and the repairing and maintaining           of buildings.
          1882 - The school reopens in the fall.
          1888 - The federal government settles a claim for rent by paying the state a considerable sum           of money. The portions of the school burned during the federal occupancy are rebuilt.
          1898 - The Association of Graduates helps pay to hire a school recruiter. The student body           more than doubles.
          1918 to 1921 - The association finances, with subscriptions collected from members,           construction of Alumni Hall on the north end of the parade ground. Grimsley Hall now stands           on that location.
          1934 - Name changed to The Association of Citadel Men
          1997 - Name changed to Citadel Alumni Association with the admission of women to the           South Carolina Corps of Cadets.
          2000 - The John Monroe J. Holliday Alumni Center opens.
          2002 - The Citadel Alumni Association celebrates its sesquicentennial.

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