1996
The Gold Star Journal (GSJ) was founded in July.
Three sophomores served as the founding editors. They spearheaded the journal for two consecutive years.
1997
This edition features the only hand-drawn cover.
2005
Case District III Special Merit Award
2006
The tenth edition is the first one to be printed in color.
2008
A GSJ seal is designed and added to the publication.
2009
This edition is the first one to be printed off campus.
2011
First student award given for the Best Overall Submission.
2012
Best Photograph Award given for the first time.
2014
Best Undergraduate Paper Award given for the first time.
2015
Colonel and Mrs. Abraham Goldfarb (Class of 1960) provide funds for printing The GSJ in color. This is the second edition to be printed in color.
The original GSJ seal is revised.
2016
The GSJ celebrates the twentieth edition with the first annual GSJ Lecture, as part of the Leadership Symposium.
2017
Best Oral Presentation Award given for the first time.
2019
Dr. and Mrs. James F. Boyd (Class of 1971) establish the Gold Star Journal Excellence Award, which provides funds towards the student awards.
The GSJ Distinction in Photography Award and the Best Graduate Paper Award given for the first time.
2020
The Best Overall Submission Award renamed to The Boyd Family Distinction Award in honor of Dr. and Mrs. James F. Boyd (Class of 1971), who established the Gold Star Journal Excellence Award.
The 2020 edition receives the Athens Paper Award for the Most Creative Use of Paper and the Special Judges Award for Soft Cover Booklet from the Printing Industry of the Carolinas (PICA).
2021
The 2021 edition receives the Special Judges Award for Soft Cover Booklet from the Printing Industry of the Carolinas (PICA).
The Gold Star Journal Lecture renamed to the Gold Star Journal Academic Conference (GSJAC).
2022
An entirely new editorial team modernized the seal of The GSJ.
The 2022 edition receives four awards, including two from the American Scholastic Press Association: Most Outstanding College Magazine (middle left) and First Place with Special Merit (bottom left).
The 2022 edition receives a South Carolina Notable State Documents Award (SC State Library) (middle right) and Best of Category for Soft Cover Books Award (PICA) (bottom right).
2023
The 2023 edition features the largest number of freshmen:
- two editors,
- two authors,
- two artists, and
- one photographer.
The GSJ Internship Course, initially ELES 301, now LDRS 399, was offered for the first time in Spring 2023. Four editors from each class year, took the course.
The 2023 edition receives a record-setting five awards, including
- two from the American Scholastic Press Association: First Place Magazine (top) and Most Outstanding Cover (bottom) and
- three first-time College Media Association Awards: 2nd Place for Best Magazine Contents Page/Spread, 2nd Place for Best Photo Illustration, and 3rd Place for Best Portrait.
2024
LTC Steve (Class of 1963) and Mrs. Noreen Hodges establish the Gold Star Journal Endowment by Steve and Noreen Hodges, ’63. Its primary purpose is to provide financial resources to support, enhance, and sustain The Citadel’s Gold Star Journal program.
The Alumni Association honors a graduating senior for the first time with The Citadel Legacy Award, which includes a lifetime membership in the alumni association.
For the first time, the Fine Arts program recognizes two students for their artistic ability with the Fine Arts Illustration Award and the Fine Arts Photography Award.
The 2024 edition receives a record-setting six awards, including:
- Honorable Mention for Best Magazine from the College Media Association Apple Awards.
- 1st place for The Gold Star Journal Magazine from the American Scholastic Press Association.
- 2nd place for Best Magazine Cover from the College Media Association Apple Awards.
- Honorable Mention for Best Magazine Cover from The College Media Association Pinnacle Awards.
- Michael Behrends wins Honorable Mention for the Best Feature Photograph Award from the College Media Association Pinnacle Awards.
- The 2024 The Gold Star Journal Academic Conference receives 3rd place for Best Overall Campus Media Engagement from the College Media Association Pinnacle Awards.
2026
The Gold Star Journal celebrates its 30th anniversary with the publication of the 2026 edition. To honor this milestone, a new seal was unveiled.
