Commencement Week in Pictures: Graduation Day - The Citadel

For Release
May 9, 2005

Commencement Week in Picture
Graduation Day

Commencement for the South Carolina Corps of Cadets was held Saturday, May 7 in McAlister Field House. It was a day filled with anticipation and activity.

It's never too late for a haircut. A line of cadets waits to get a regulation trim before being allowed to walk across the stage.

Sometimes even seniors need a little help getting dressed.

This year grandfathers who are Citadel graduates were able to take part in the diploma presentation. Fathers of graduates have been presenting their sons - and now mothers and daughters qualify - their diplomas for years.

U.S. Congressman J. Gresham Barrett, Class of 1983, delivered the commencement address. Barrett also presented Maj. Gen. John S. Grinalds, president of the college, with a flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol in honor of Grinald's pending retirement from The Citadel.

Active duty Marines and midshipman await commencement and their commissioning as officers.

Senior class president Cadet W. Russell Brown presented Gen. Grinalds with a Class of 2005 Citadel ring in honor of the college president's pending retirement.

He wears the ring. Gen. Grinalds moved his West Point ring to his left hand and put his Citadel ring on his right hand before presenting diplomas to more than 400 cadets and active duty military students.