The Citadel Swain Family School of Science and Mathematics is Proud to Present the 2026 Inductees into The Citadel Academy of Science and Mathematics!
Distinguished Alumni Award
Dr. Reza Ghaffari
Dr. Reza Ghaffari is the CEO and founder of Cyber Vet Solutions, LLC, with over 35 years of experience in aerospace, high-tech, and steel industries, including major companies such as Northrop Grumman, General Electric, U.S. Steel, and Intergraph Federal Systems. His expertise spans aviation systems, industrial control systems, cybersecurity, and defense technologies.
He is an Adjunct Professor at both the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) and the joint Citadel–College of Charleston graduate program, teaching in cybersecurity and computer sciences.
A retired U.S. Navy Captain with 30 years of active and reserve service, Dr. Ghaffari held major cybersecurity leadership roles for the Department of Defense (DoD), including work at JITC-East, JFCOM/COCOM, and Joint Command and Control (JC2) programs. He supported various defense systems such as Patriot, Hawk, MLRS, GCCS-J, and Joint-STARS.
He also served at the Pentagon, contributing to OPNAV strategy, Lean Six Sigma (Black Belt), and Naval Aviation N-98 cyber initiatives. During active duty at the PEO Joint Strike Fighter program, he led cybersecurity certification and training, including international collaboration.
Dr. Ghaffari deployed to Afghanistan as Officer in Charge of NAVAIR Forward UAV and Aerostat programs and currently supports NAVAIR PMA-266 as a Cybersecurity SME, focusing on UAS (MQ-8, MQ-9, MQ-25) programs, cyber resilience, and CMMC proficiency.
Mr. James Whetstone ‘60
Mr. James H. Whetstone ’60 is a distinguished alumnus of The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, whose legacy is defined by exceptional mentorship, leadership, and service to his alma mater. A graduate in Political Science, he was a Gold Star cadet, a member of the Summerall Guards, the Chapel Color Guard, and the Political Science Honor Society.
Following graduation, Mr. Whetstone built a successful international career in the textile industry, culminating in senior leadership roles at Unifi Inc., where he directed global product and market development. Throughout his professional life, he was known for mentoring and developing young leaders.
After retiring, Mr. Whetstone returned to Charleston and devoted himself to The Citadel. Eighteen years ago, he founded the Cadet Corps Leaders Mentor Program, which has since guided hundreds of cadets serving in key leadership positions across the Corps. He also founded the Citadel Veterans Association Mentor Program, serves as a mentor in the Distinguished Scholars Program, and sits on the Executive Board of the Swain Family School of Science and Mathematics Council.
In recognition of his transformative impact, The Citadel Board of Visitors awarded Mr. Whetstone the Palmetto Medal in 2019. Through mentorship, philanthropy, and steadfast service, he has profoundly shaped generations of Citadel leaders and exemplifies the institution’s core values of duty, honor, and respect.
Distinguished Faculty Award
Dr. Mei Chen – Mathematics & Data Analytics
Dr. Mei-Qin Chen is a Professor of Mathematics in the Department of Mathematics and Data Analytics at The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, where she has served on the faculty since 1989. Over more than three decades, she has built a distinguished record of teaching excellence, student mentorship, scholarly achievement, and institutional leadership.
Dr. Chen teaches across the undergraduate and graduate mathematics curriculum and is especially known for her dedication to student success and undergraduate research. She developed and sustained the department’s capstone research program, ensuring that every mathematics major completes a substantive research experience. She has mentored dozens of undergraduate students, high school students, and teachers, many of whom have presented at conferences and published peer-reviewed work.
An accomplished scholar, Dr. Chen’s research spans linear algebra, numerical optimization, signal processing, and mathematical modeling, with over 40 peer-reviewed publications and more than 50 national and international presentations. Her work bridges theory and application while actively involving students in the research process. Dr. Chen served as department head for ten years (2013–2023), guiding the department through major transitions, faculty hiring, assessment, and program growth. She was instrumental in launching the Mathematics Education pathway and the Data Analytics concentration, expanding both access and workforce relevance. Her extensive service to The Citadel includes chairing major college committees and leading outreach initiatives such as MATHCOUNTS and summer research programs for Lowcountry students and teachers. In recognition of her extraordinary contributions, Dr. Chen was named the 2026 Distinguished Faculty Award recipient by the Citadel Academy of Science and Mathematics.
Early-Career Faculty Award
Dr. Breeanne Swart – Mathematics & Data Analytics
Dr. Breeanne Swart is a Professor of Mathematics in the Department of Department of Mathematics and Data Analytics, The Military College of South Carolina, where she has served on the faculty since 2013. An award-winning educator, she is widely recognized for her innovative, student-centered teaching, mentorship, and leadership in undergraduate research.
Dr. Swart teaches across the mathematics curriculum and has developed several new courses, including the freshman seminar “Games and How to Win Them” and “Introduction to Mathematical Research.” Her teaching emphasizes active learning, clarity, and intellectual engagement, creating inclusive environments in which students are challenged and supported. She has mentored numerous undergraduate researchers, many of whom have presented and published their work and gone on to advanced study or professional success.
Her research interests include graph theory, combinatorics, and number theory, with peer-reviewed publications in journals such as the Rocky Mountain Journal of Mathematics and IEEE Transactions on Communications. She has secured significant external and internal funding, including multiple Mathematical Association of America Dolciani Mathematics Enrichment Grants and NSF-supported initiatives.
Dr. Swart is the founder and director of the Math Research Experience for Lowcountry High School Students and Teachers, an outreach program that expands access to authentic mathematical research. She has also provided extensive service to the college, including serving as Chair of the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, and contributes actively to the broader mathematical community.
In recognition of her exceptional early-career contributions, Dr. Swart was selected as the 2026 Early Career Faculty Award recipient by the Citadel Academy of Science and Mathematics.
Staff Award
Ms. Malory Saunders-Gooding
Ms. Malory Saunders-Gooding is the Project Manager for the Department of Cyber and Computer Sciences and the Citadel DoD Cyber Institute at The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, where she has served since 2021. Widely regarded as the organizational and cultural anchor of the department, she is known for her exceptional professionalism, leadership, and unwavering commitment to students and faculty.
In her role, Ms. Saunders-Gooding manages more than $10 million in federal grants from the Department of Defense, National Science Foundation, and National Security Agency. Her work directly supports scholarships, internships, undergraduate research, research laboratories, and national cyber initiatives that advance The Citadel’s academic and workforce mission. She coordinates complex projects across campus and with external partners while ensuring compliance, fiscal accountability, and timely delivery.
Beyond project management, Ms. Saunders-Gooding is deeply invested in student mentorship and success. She works closely with cadets to secure internships, scholarships, and experiential learning opportunities, and is consistently recognized by students as a trusted advisor, advocate, and source of encouragement. Her outreach leadership includes organizing national conferences, managing summer cyber camps, and guiding Cyber Outreach Ambassadors who deliver cyber education to K–12 students across the Lowcountry.
In recognition of her extraordinary impact, Ms. Saunders-Gooding was named the 2026 Swain Family School of Science and Mathematics Staff Award recipient by the Citadel Academy of Science and Mathematics.
Non-tenure/Adjunct Faculty Award
Dr. James Berry – Biology
Dr. James Berry is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Biology at The Citadel. He developed and teaches the strand natural science course NTSS 303: Biology, Environment & Law, which examines the interactions between biological systems and the environmental laws that regulate them. He also teaches a freshman seminar, The Environment and the Military, as well as introductory biology courses.
An accomplished academic biologist and environmental attorney, Dr. Berry is an active member of numerous scientific and legal professional organizations. He has authored more than 100 scientific and legal publications, including articles, book chapters, and books. His 2025 book, Environment, Science and Law: An Integrative Introduction, serves as the primary textbook for NTSS 303.
Dr. Berry earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Florida State University and his Ph.D. from the University of Utah. He received his Juris Doctor from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law.