Graduates of the Class of 2002 congratulate one another after receiving their diplomas.

Dear Parents,

          Now that the excitement of graduation has passed, I wanted to take a minute to write about the semester's activities. You would be very proud of your cadets. From community service to academics, they stayed involved in a myriad of activities.

          At the May 11th commencement exercises, 298 cadets graduated. U.S. Senator John McCain, who spoke, urged them to go into the world to make history. Included in the graduating class were the first African-American women to graduate from the Corps of Cadets: Cadets Geneive Hardney, Toshika Hudson, Renee Hypolite, Jamey McCloud, Natosha Mitchell, Lesjanusar Peterson, and Adrienne Watson. Cadets Richard and Carol Hamlin were the first brother and sister to graduate from The Citadel the same year.

          Cadet Ryan Parker was awarded the First Honor Graduate Scholarship Medal for having the highest grade point average (GPA). Cadet Mark Connelly, who was voted by the senior class as the "finest, purest, and most courteous member of the class," received the John O. Willson Ring. And for his service to others, Cadet Skip ReVille received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award. Two members of the graduating class were awarded Fulbright Scholarships to study abroad. In Germany, Cadet Matt Belcher will study a Nazi film propagandist whose methods were adopted by Cold War era filmmakers to influence East German audiences. Cadet Nicholas Freeling will be in Austria researching the European Union criminal code and its interaction with the Austro-German legal systems.

          Thirty-six percent of our graduates received military commissions. Cadets who applied to law school this year found widespread success, gaining admittance to schools such as the University of South Carolina, the University of North Carolina, Emory University, Stetson University, Mercer University, Syracuse University, and St. John's University. Cadet Nicole Villareal will become the first female cadet to go on to law school when she begins classes at the University of New Mexico School of Law. Cadet Ryan Parker will be attending medical school at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). Several other cadets are waiting to hear from medical schools. Cadet Lewis Hardison has been accepted to Mercer's Master of Public Health program. Brandy Perry who graduated in 2001, will attend the Treveccanazene University Physicians Assistants Program, and Michael Malmquist, also from the class of 2001, will attend dental school at MUSC.

In the spotlight          

Col. Harvey Dick presents Cadet Eric Brown with the General William Moultrie Sons of the American Revolution Army Sword.

          Cadet Eric Brown was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor Society Award for his outstanding military performance as well as the General William Moultrie Sons of the American Revolution Army Sword. Cadet Bobby Cox was awarded the Wade Hampton Saber for his outstanding leadership and for making the greatest contribution to The Citadel as a cadet.

          Six cadets were recognized in the spring semester for their heroism and received the Cadet Medal for Valor. Cadet Eugene Lathrop helped free victims who were trapped in a vehicle that had overturned and was leaking fuel. Cadet Christian Rodriguez rushed to the aid of a woman in a diabetic coma. Cadet Stephen Donohoe helped save the life of a man trying to jump from the Cooper River Bridge. Cadet Jason Coad was honored for saving the life of a three-year-old child who jumped from a moving boat into water. Cadet Paul Swaim distinguished himself when he killed a rattlesnake that had cornered a group of people. And Cadet David Walling received the medal for saving the life of a fellow cadet who was choking to death.

          Cadet Ryan Parker was awarded the William Porcher Dubose Award by the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Cadet John Chuma was awarded the Ackerman Leadership in the Community Service Award for his outstanding leadership in the area of community service. Company Athletic Officer Cadet Jonathan Lester accepted the Board of Visitors Trophy on behalf of Hotel Company for winning the Regimental Intramural Championship.

          Company Commander Cadet Evan Lopez accepted the Commandant's Cup for Hotel Company for having the highest score for drill competitions, parades, guard, unit readiness, and discipline in the Corps of Cadets. Cadet Olivier Sarr, representing Mike Company First Platoon Leader Cadet Michael Infinger, accepted the J.D. Sehorne Trophy for winning the Regimental Platoon Drill Competition. Cadet Joseph Hamilton of India Company received the Star of the West Medal for winning the best-drilled cadet competition. Cadet Rhett Cheatham received the Society of the Daughters of the American Colonists Silver Bowl Award for his impeccable conduct record. Cadet Michael Hurst received the Society of the Cincinnati Award in February for his extraordinary citizen-soldier characteristics.

          At the Inn of Court Annual Spring Reading Banquet, Cadet Adam Whitsett was awarded the P. Michael Duffy Award for his service to the Inn of Court throughout the past year. At the modern language department's annual awards banquet in April, Cadet John Campigotto accepted the French Award. The Spanish Award was presented to Cadet Paul Swaim. Cadet John Alexander received the Modern Languages Award. And the Miguel de Cervantes Award was presented to Cadet Adrienne Watson.

          Cadet Jeff Cunningham won this year's Harry Dent Award for his paper, "The Historiography of the French and Indian War." The Dent Award is given annually to the best cadet paper written on an aspect of government, literature, law, or politics that is central to the understanding of the American experience. In addition to the award, he received a check for $2,000.

In academic life

Cadets stand at attention after receiving their Gold Stars at Friday afternoon parade.

         Academically, the Corps is doing well. More than 200 cadets were awarded Gold Stars (3.7+ GPA) for academic excellence, and more than 600 cadets made Dean's List (3.2+ GPA). In March, the first undergraduate research conference was held in the Prioleau Room of the Daniel Library. Posters were on display from a variety of academic disciplines. Cadet David Van Houten won first place with his study of the vegetative patterns of tidal freshwater marshes; Cadet Todd Marable placed second and Cadet Ryan Parker placed third.

          Three psychology majors presented their senior research projects at the Southeastern Psychological Association meeting held in Orlando, Fla., in March. Collaborating with Lt. Col. Conway Saylor and graduate student Brian Cowart, Cadet Michael Mainor conducted a study of sports, recreation and social skills of children and adolescents with disabilities. Cadets Todd Marable and Patrick Vickery studied college students' reactions to the September 11 attacks.

          In the department of civil and environmental engineering, Cadet John Daly won the inaugural Gilbert H. Rowe Transportation Scholarship. A 40-student delegation from the department represented the college in the American Society of Civil Engineers Carolinas Conference in April. Cadets placed second overall in the three-day competition held this year at Duke University in Durham, N.C. Cadets Dan Rockers and Michael Valiquette led the college into second place in the concrete column event. Cadets Michael Motley and Jonathan Grzywa won second place in the technical paper competition with their paper, "Evaluation of the Effects of Highway Construction and Community Growth on Traffic Congestion." Cadets Tim Parker, Leann Phillippi, and Chris Ackerman placed second in the environmental design event. Cadet Michael Dwyer and his team placed third in the mentoring project. And Cadets Shane Jones, Kirk Richards, James Wilson, and Chad Culpepper placed third in the steel bridge competition.

          Col. James Rembert and members of his Twentieth Century Drama class took a weekend retreat to his mountain house in Saluda, N.C. The highlight of the weekend was the Saturday evening graded performance. Members of the class wrote two plays, which they rehearsed and performed before an audience that included alumni, parents, and various guests.

          Six history majors served as interns throughout the academic year at national and state centers and at historical sites in the Charleston area. Cadets Kenneth Moran and Craig Kitchings worked with the National Park Service at Fort Sumter. Cadet Moran organized and catalogued ordnance reports filed during the siege of Fort Sumter and Cadet Kitchings transcribed microfilm records from the National Archives of Major Robert Anderson's correspondence. Cadet Justin Chandler worked on a project involving the South Carolina Historical Society's collection of architectural photographs. Cadet Christopher Tychnowitz served as interpreter and guide on board the USS Yorktown, the famous World War II aircraft carrier. Cadet Tychnowitz worked with the educational services director and often presented interpretive lectures dressed in period uniforms of the U.S. Navy. Cadet Stephen Foland assisted the archivist at the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston in processing records dealing with the personal files, correspondence and other writings of parish priests.

          Twenty-two cadet teams competed for $30,000 in scholarship money in the fourth annual Krause Business Plan Competition, which is funded by a generous grant from the Kraus Foundation, a private foundation established by Citadel alumnus Bill Krause, '63, and his wife Gay. Open to cadets of all academic disciplines, the competition was designed to encourage cadets to become involved in launching new real-world business ventures. Cadets John Chase, William Privette, Jay Sirmon, and William Sirmon won first place for their entrepreneurial plan, 3-S, Inc., a company which would provide document shredding, storage, and security for business and government agencies. Two teams of cadets tied for second place. Cadets Eric Doss, Jason Kennickell, Joseph Moore, and Brent Schmitt, developed a plan for Health Nutz, a health food restaurant to be established in the Chicago area. Cadets Christopher Giorgi, and Michael Hurst created a plan for Windy City Total Service Parking, a parking facility that would also provide washing and lube services to its customers. Cadets Laurie McDaniel and Matthew Rowell won fourth place for their Fountain of Youth business plan, which would operate on-site fitness centers in apartment complexes.

In community service

          Cadets took an active interest in the community, performing close to 43,000 volunteer hours throughout the 2001-2002 academic year. India Company, led by Cadet Preston Giet, took on the Bell and Schlau Track and Field Clinic as their company project, teaching school children the fundamentals of physical fitness. Cadet Jordan Bass and three classmates assisted with the Evergreen Residential Care Spring Fest for the elderly and disabled. Rather than return to campus when the Environmental Fair was rained out, Cadet John Chase and 12 fellow cadets went to the Ronald McDonald House and assisted with their spring cleanup. Cadet Pete Baltos led cadets on the annual three-day Junior League Whale of a Sale and the subsequent cleanup. Cadet Jay Hardister and Oscar Company cadets spent a day building for Habitat for Humanity.

          In February, the Red Cross recognized The Citadel for outstanding dedication to the Charleston community. Forty-five cadets donated platelets in honor of Valentine's Day, making the college the most supportive organization of the apheresis program. In all, cadets, faculty and staff donated more than 900 units of whole blood.

          Throughout the year the Regimental Band and Pipes performed for 184 official functions. Some of the highlights included the Massing of the Colors ceremony, the WorldCom Heritage Tournament, the Padgett-Thomas Barracks groundbreaking ceremony and commencement for both the Corps of Cadets and the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. Thirty members of the Gospel Choir accompanied by Capt. Licia Calloway and Gospel Choir president Cadet Marc Lewis traveled to Virginia for their spring concert tour. Performing at the College of William and Mary, the VA Hospital in Hampton, the Riverside Rehabilitation Center, the Hampton Roads Citadel Club, and the Ebenezer Baptist Church, they represented The Citadel well with their sterling conduct and their inspiring talent. Soloists performing were Cadets Micah Griggs, Natosha Mitchell, and Jonathan Pereira.

Cadet Natosha Mitchell woos the audience with her beautiful voice at the Cadet Talent Show.

On campus

         The Citadel celebrated the 159^th anniversary of the Corps of Cadets during Corps Day Weekend in March. Highlights included a baseball game, a Corps Day hop, a volleyball tournament, a Summerall Guards performance and the cadet talent show, which featured a variety of cadet entertainment from comedic skits to musical performances.

          In celebration of National Engineers Week, engineering cadets hosted a Saturday morning program for local middle school and high school students. With 300 students participating, the program was a great success. The events included an interactive science presentation, a poster display of senior design projects, and a craft stick bridge competition.

          In April, Cadet Brandon Race became an associate member of Sigma Xi, the National Research Honor Society at the chapter banquet. He was also inducted into Sigma Pi Sigma, the Physics Honor Society.

Cadet Jeremiah Stafford calculates efficiencies for the craft stick bridge competition held in celebration of National Engineers' Week.

          Cadet Robert Sturdy received credit hours for spending the spring semester serving as an intern in the public affairs office. His chief function was to provide writing support to the office that communicates the college's message to various constituents. His professional demeanor and his prolific output made him a useful member of the team.

In athletics

          With 16 club sports and 11 varsity sports on campus with goals ranging from developing technical skills to competing for national titles, physical fitness is yet another area on campus in which cadets excel. In club sports, Cadets Bradley Sines and Patrick Fleming earned jumpmaster ratings in skydiving and are now qualified to teach divers of all levels.

          The Citadel Lacrosse Team was a presence once again in the Southeast. Members of the team finished in third place in the conference tournament at the University of Alabama in April, ranking seventh in the country among independent schools in the U.S. Lacrosse Intercollegiate Associates (USLIA). Cadet Ryan Blakeley earned the title Most Valuable Player in the attack position and was honorably mentioned by the coaches' association of the USLIA. Also participating on the all-conference team were Cadets Andrew Artis and Justin Mildrum.

Two cadets on the sailing team hone their skills during an afternoon on the Ashley River.

          Todd Fisher, '95, rejoined the sailing team as its head coach and welcomed Cadets David O'Reilly and Josh Putnam to the team. Joining with team veterans Cadets John Milligan, Christopher Neher, and Clayton Hill, they proved to be competitive for cross-town rival, the College of Charleston. The Citadel improved from a fifth place finish in the fall behind the College of Charleston, UNC-Chapel Hill, Tennessee and Duke to win two spring regattas, one hosted by Clemson in February and the other held in Knoxville in March.

          Cadets Christopher Barker, Jason Mayne, William Murray, John Wintz, and MECEP Staff Sergeants Freddy Morales and Geoffrey Newton competed in the National Rifle Association Intercollegiate Pistol Championships in March. This collegiate invitational brought together the best hundred marksmen, representing 17 colleges and universities. Cadet Mayne won the 50-meter free pistol, leading the team to a second place finish and earning himself all-American status for the third consecutive year. And in the Air Pistol event, he earned all-American. Staff Sergeant Newton also earned all-American recognition in Free Pistol and Air Pistol.

          In basketball, Cadets Travis Cantrell, Alan Puckett and Cliff Washburn finished their college playing careers as 1,000-point scorers. Cadet Cantrell finished the NCAA Division I season seventh in three-point field goals made per game and 10th in free throw percentage. The Citadel finished the season 17-13, and served as the co-host institution for the 2002 Southern Conference Basketball Championships. The Bulldogs have won 33 games in the past two years, the second best two-year span in college history.

          The college finished third in the Southern Conference in wrestling. Cadet Brandon Gates finished second in the conference in the 125-pound weight class; Cadet Sean Markey finished second in the 133-pound class; Cadet Billy Linane finished second in the heavyweight class; Cadet Mike Martinez finished fourth in the 141-pound class; and Cadet Wayne Watts won the 149-pound class, advancing to the NCAA Championships in Albany, N.Y.

          In men's track and field, Cadet Quentin Armstrong won the Southern Conference championship in the shot put for the second consecutive year. Cadets Jeff Witherspoon, TJ Marbury, Marcus Cohen and Kenyon Doyle won first place with a time of 41.76 in the men's 4 x 400 relay at the Penn Relays in Philadelphia. At the state track meet in Columbia, Cadet Alex Prince placed third in the 400-meter and finished the last leg of the 4x400 relay coming in second for a total time of 3:15.62. At the Furman Invitational in Greenville, he won the 400-meter in 48.71 and finished the last leg of the 4 x 400 relay, winning with a time of 3:21.80. In women's track and field, Cadet Tara Stephenson finished first at the state meet in the long jump, second in the 200-meter, and fourth in the high jump. She also finished fourth at the Georgia Tech Invitational and finished first in the long jump at Charleston Southern.

          The baseball team won the Southern Conference regular season title, the 12^th time in the history of the college. Cadet Randy Corn was named the Southern Conference Male Athlete of the Year. He was also named League Pitcher of the Year and first team all-Southern Conference. Cadet Matt Hamer earned second team, and Coach Freddie Jordan was named Coach of the Year.

          In golf, Cadets Ben Twilley and Josh Atkinson led the men's team with an average of 79 each. Cadet Suzanne Campbell finished 28th in the women's Southern Conference golf tournament. nd in tennis, Cadet Matt Stubbs earned first team all-Southern Conference honors.

In closing

          As the summer progresses we are making preparations for the class of 2006 and an academic year that we hope will be as successful as this year. Thank you for entrusting your sons and daughters to us. They are a fine group of young people, and I am confident that they will indeed make history.

          Norwood joins me in sending you our best wishes.