Dear Parents,

          Amid the war in Iraq, pre-election news and a season of unusually high hurricane activity, the South Carolina Corps of Cadets began a new academic year, one filled with the promise of great success and achievement.

          Nearly 70 freshmen athletes reported August 2. The remainder of the class of 2008 reported August 15. The 674-member class is one of the largest since 1981. They have an average SAT score of 1079 and an average high school GPA of 3.2.

	Members of the class of 2008 reported on August 15. In the week before classes began, their military training included instruction on marching, saluting and bracing.

          As we move forward in this new year, I’d like to take a minute to look back at the highlights of last semester to give you an idea of what you can expect from your sons and daughters this year.

In the spotlight
          On May 8 in McAlister Field House, nearly 400 cadets and active-duty military students graduated. Governor Mark Sanford of South Carolina was the speaker. Cadet Patrick Reilly was awarded the First Honor Graduate Scholarship Medal, which is presented annually to the graduating cadet with the highest grade point average. Cadet Reilly and Cadet Jeffrey Cunningham, also an ’04 graduate, received Fulbright Scholarships to study abroad. Cadet Reilly will study in New Zealand, and Cadet Cunningham will study in Germany.

          The coveted John O. Willson Ring was presented to 2003-2004 Regimental Commander Cadet Keane Phillips. The Willson Ring has been awarded annually since 1911 to a senior elected by his or her peers as the finest, purest and most courteous member of the class. Cadet Phillips was also awarded the Palmetto Medal, which is presented annually to cadets, faculty, staff and alumni by the Board of Visitors to recognize exceptional performance that reflects great credit on The Citadel and the state of South Carolina. Cadet Aaron Meadows was the cadet recipient of the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award. The bronze medallion is awarded in recognition of high thought and noble endeavor. Cadet Meadows worked to develop programs that foster cooperation among religious groups on campus. The Society of the Cincinnati Award was given to Cadet Philip Medico for possessing the best qualities of soldier and citizen.

          Many other cadets distinguished themselves last semester. Cadet Jeffrey Reed received the Cadet Medal for Valor for his act of heroism when he served as a volunteer fireman when a single family home was engulfed in flames. Cadet Eric Kirsch also received the Mazur Medal. Named for Andrew Mazur, class of 2001, who was killed in the line of duty while working with the Greenville County Sheriff's Department, the award recognizes a cadet who has distinguished himself or herself by an act of outstanding citizenship that goes far beyond the normal expectations of a cadet. Cadet Kirsch distinguished himself when he came to the rescue of a woman who had stopped breathing at a Shem Creek restaurant in nearby Mount Pleasant.

          Cadet Bethany Amico, an education major, was awarded an academic scholarship by the S.C. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Cadet Jermaine Joyner, also an education major, was awarded the Col. Charles E. Hirshey undergraduate award for Excellence in Teaching by the Education Faculty.

          Cadet Ricardo Flores received the American Legion School Award in recognition of his qualities of honor, courage, scholarship, leadership and service, which are necessary to protect and preserve the fundamental institution of government and the advancement of society. Cadet Josiah Barker received both the Navy Memorial Sword and the Col. Floyd W. Brown Jr. Memorial Award. Cadet Kyle Bozarth accepted the Brig. Gen. William Lee Smith Marine Corps Sword. Cadet Keith Laws received the Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States Award. Cadet Joshua Brock received the Reeves-White ROTC Medal, which is presented annually to a junior from Charleston, Berkeley or Dorchester county who is academically proficient, contracted to serve in the U.S. armed forces and actively participates in military activities.

          Cadet Viann Bolick was awarded the Cadet Medal of Merit. The award is presented annually to a first-class cadet who has exhibited outstanding performance and dedicated service to the Corps of Cadets through leadership, personal endeavor and devotion to duty. The J.D. Sehorne Trophy was awarded to Hotel Company which won the regimental platoon drill competition. Accepting the award on behalf of Hotel Company and leader of the winning platoon was Cadet Thomas Welsh.

          Cadet Le Trung Nguyen was awarded the Air Force watch for his outstanding leadership characteristics, positive attitude, great personal appearance, ethics and superior growth potential as a future commissioned officer. Cadet Garrison Groh received the Gabriela Mistral Award by the national president of the Sigma Delta Pi, the Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society for his outstanding service to the ideals of the society and his academic achievement in Spanish. This recognition is only bestowed on approximately six students in the country.

          The annual Cadet Activities Awards last April recognized cadets for leadership, academic standing and contributions to cadet life. Cadet Shawna Hartman received the Maj. William Marks Hutson Award for outstanding leadership ability, academic standing and devotion to duty. Cadet Daniel Clinebelle received the R.B. Pitts III Memorial Award for demonstrating great concern for the well-being of others. Cadet William Pomeroy received the William G. Willard Jr. Award for exemplifying the qualities of integrity, devotion to duty and service to The Citadel. Cadet Adam Perlin was awarded the Lt. Col. Leigh Arnold Hochreich Memorial Award for having the qualities of patriotism, love of fellow man, loyalty, humor and dedication to The Citadel. Cadet Jason Pittman received the Scottish-American Military Society Award, which is presented annually to the first class cadet who has demonstrated outstanding qualities of leadership and citizenship as well as having excelled in history and military science, and service in the pipe band.

          Cadet Kirk Rhodes was presented the Carlisle Norwood Hastie Award. This award is presented annually to the graduating first class cadet who is selected by classmates as showing the greatest concern for the well being of other cadets. Cadet Shaun Haynam received the Col. Joseph E. Perkins Honor Committee Award in recognition of invaluable service to the Corps of Cadets by upholding and promoting the high ideals of the honor system. Cadet Ryan Rawl accepted the Mark W. Clark Honor Committee Award for Exemplary Service for making the greatest contribution to the honor system throughout the year.

          Cadet Easa Hasan Al-Tenaiji was the recipient of the Tug Watts Community Service Award for exemplary community service. Cadet David Huddleston was the winner of the Henry J. Taylor Cup for demonstrating the greatest journalistic improvement during the academic year. Post and Courier Awards were given out for outstanding student work on the cadet newspaper, The Brigadier. Cadet Michael Schultz received the award for Best News Story; Cadet Bradford Rawlinson, for best editorial; Cadet Justin Huddleston, for best sports story; and Cadet James Schneiderman, for best features story. Cadet Erick Sillitoe was winner of the D.S. McAlister Cadet Activities Award for his outstanding contribution to the department of cadet activities.

In academic life
          The college is offering two new academic programs, a minor in leadership studies and a minor in African-American studies. The leadership minor is a collaborative offering from the School of Business and the English, history, modern language and psychology departments. It is designed to examine leadership from the perspective of the various academic disciplines and to complement the leadership laboratory aspects of cadet life. The minor focuses on leadership issues in business, humanities and social sciences.

Civil and environmental engineering cadets listen intently to Maj. Jeff Davis during a class lecture.

          The African-American studies minor encourages an appreciation for the contributions of people of African descent and emphasizes the importance of diversity. Through the interdisciplinary study of history, politics, English, sociology and culture, the program aims to highlight the significance of race, gender and ethnicity in American history.

          Cadets Jonathon Lance, Scott Butler, William Swett and Richard Wahl represented The Citadel at the Model United Nations in Montreal in January. The School of Engineering hosted its annual Engineering Fair for Lowcountry Students in February in recognition of National Engineers’ Week. A special feature of this year’s fair was the new robotics competition. There was also a craft stick bridge competition, a mad science program and a display of cadet senior design projects. Some of the inventions displayed were a team-built submarine, a magnetic levitation device and a voice-controlled toy tank. The annual event is designed to expose middle and high school students to fundamental math and science principles by using engineering issues and methods.

          Dr. Judy Lehr along with Cadets Amico, Mario Coaxum, Trey Hamilton, Sam Jefferson, Jermaine Joyner and Katie Livingston made a presentation at the National Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development annual conference March 20-24, 2004, in New Orleans about leadership in education at The Citadel. Cadet Joyner gave the keynote address at the conference’s honors luncheon. Cadet Joyner was also featured in the March issue of Centerpoint newsletter which is published by the South Carolina Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention and Advancement.

          Four education majors completed internships: Cadet Ian Felty completed an internship at Alice Birney Middle School, Cadet Joyner at Stall High School, Cadet Travis Shelby at Alice Birney Middle School and Cadet Michael Toth at James Island Middle School. In April at the 2004 South Carolina Undergraduate Social Science Symposium at Newberry College in Newberry, S.C., Cadet Brian DuBois presented a paper examining the development of an independent European Union peacekeeping capability.

          Cadet Matthew Verdin was one of 60 students nationally selected to present his research to the Council on Undergraduate Research’s Undergraduate Posters on the Hill April 20, 2004, in Washington, D.C. Cadet Verdin’s research—genotyping mice and studying rod and cone activity—is important to the study of human retinal diseases that lead to blindness. He won first place for the same research at the Third Annual Citadel Undergraduate Research Conference March 12. Cadet John Speck won second place for his project, "In Silico Analysis of the Salamander Green Rod/Blue Cone Promoter." And Cadet Joe Hoerl won third for "Practical Uses of Robot Autonomy and Survivability."

          History majors were busy in their spring internships. Cadet Maxcy Lynn worked as an interpreter at the Joseph Manigault House of the Charleston Museum, recounting the history of one of Charleston’s most prominent houses. Cadets Kyle Harms and Eric Kirsch worked with the Congressional Medal of Honor Society at the Medal of Honor Museum on board the U.S.S. Yorktown in Charleston. They assisted in organizing and filing a collection of Medal of Honor headstone photographs, in locating descendants of Medal of Honor recipients and in giving tours of the archives and museum. Cadets Harms and Kirsch also assisted the educational staff of the Yorktown in conducting interpretative tours of the famous World War II aircraft carrier. Cadet Robert Vannoy worked in the Charleston office of Congressman Henry Brown, Jr. of the First District of South Carolina. His assignments included the coordination of distribution of Korean War Service Medals to veterans of that conflict, updating the database records of these recipients and providing assistance to other members of the congressman’s staff. Cadet Thomas Auld succeeded Cadet Vannoy in Congressman Brown’s office and continued working with the Korean War Service Medals project and assisting with daily tasks in the congressman’s Charleston office. And Cadet Clayton Birdwell worked as an intern in the office of S.C. Senator Glenn McConnell.

          Five cadets from the Honors Program participated in the Summer Scholars Study Abroad Program as Star of the West Fellows during the summer furlough. The program was created to support academic enrichment of undergraduate students pursuing special postgraduate scholarship opportunities. Cadet Andrew Brooks studied German for eight weeks at Goethe Institute's Intensive Language Course at Schwäbisch Hall and Berlin. He also took side trips to Cologne and Frankfurt where he studied Roman colonization. Cadet Brooks is preparing to compete for a Fulbright Scholarship. Cadet John Dennis attended classes at the University of Sussex where he pursued his interest in spaced-based research on an international level. Cadet Michael Kelly studied the developing connection of Christianity and the West at the Oxford Summer Program in England. Cadet Deon Nelson studied English literature at New York University. Cadet Nelson is preparing to compete for a Rhodes Scholarship. Like Cadet Nelson, Cadet Olivia Perry-Smith is preparing to compete for a Rhodes Scholarship. Cadet Perry-Smith studied British foreign policy at Cambridge University in England.

          Cadet Joel Funk served as an intern at the Pearson Peacekeeping Center in Nova Scotia. The Pearson Center is Canada’s peacekeeping training center. Military officers from across the globe go to the Pearson Center prior to serving in the United Nations peacekeeping operations. Cadet Matthew Kaplan, a Spanish minor, was one of only four cadets in the nation awarded an Olmstead Foundation Scholarship. He traveled with cadets from West Point to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands for three weeks this summer.

In cadet activities
          Cadet Brett Lancer was elected president of the Delta Eta chapter of Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Honor Society. Alpha Phi Sigma is the largest criminal justice honor society in the country with more than 200 chapters nationwide. The society works closely with the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, the principal professional association for criminal justice academicians and professionals. Student members are selected for their academic merit. On April 20, Cadets Thomas Caldwell, Shawna Hartman, Joe Hoerl, Patrick Reilly, Brian Williams, Adrian Ybarra and Kevin Young were inducted into the Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society for their research achievements and potential. Cadet Hoerl and Cadet Reilly also received the Reves Award, which is given to exceptional math and computer science majors in honor of the late George E. Reves, former professor and department head.

	Jerry Reves (left) presented the Reves Award for outstanding accomplishments in mathematics and computer science to Cadets Joe Hoerl (center) and Patrick Reilly (right). Mr. Reves established the award in honor of his father, George Reves, who served as a member of the faculty and as head of the department for many years.

          To stimulate interest in math,  the department of mathematics and computer science hosts the Problem of the Week Contest. Cadet Christopher Weil, an electrical engineering major, became the first student ever to answer all of the problems correctly. The eighth edition of The Gold Star Journal was published under the direction of Cadets Ryan Head, Michael Peters and James Senter. The issue included five non-fiction papers: Cadet Ryan Pratt wrote "Andrew Marvell's 'A Dialogue between the Resolved Soul and Created Pleasure': A Poem of Hope." Cadet Garrison Groh wrote "Britannic Americanism: Colonial Identity Within Eighteenth Century South Carolina." Cadets Ryan Head and John Speck published their paper, "The Blue Cone/Green Rod Rhodospin Promoter Region and the Deletion of the Section Within." And Cadet Scott Somerset wrote "Henry V: The Dependency of his High Reputation Upon His Early Death."

In community service
          In the 2003-2004 academic year, cadets took time out to make an impression in the community. In all, cadets logged in more than 56,000 hours of community service. Some of the spring activities that cadets assisted with were the Lowcountry Senior Games, the Cooper River Bridge Run, Habitat for Humanity, the Lowcountry Cajun Festival and the Children’s Hospital Life Program.

Twenty-nine members of the Gospel Choir traveled to Orlando in April for their annual spring tour.

          Twenty-nine members of the Gospel Choir traveled to Orlando in April for the annual spring tour—their first under the direction of the talented pianist Charles McDonald. The choir’s first engagement was at the Edgewood Children’s Ranch, a faith-based residential educational facility for troubled youth from all over the country. The choir shared its music ministry with approximately 70 Edgewood students who were ultimately encouraged to participate when the choir descended from the pulpit to join them in the pews while Mr. McDonald taught the entire assembly a song. Between selections, Cadets Stanley Brown, Whitney Lee and Jermaine Joyner spoke to the children about The Citadel experience, the spiritual rewards of singing in the Gospel Choir and the importance of education. After the choir’s inspiring performance at Walt Disney World, they were named honorary Disney cast members for the evening. They concluded their tour with a performance at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, which has a 6,000-member congregation.

          In April, The Citadel Semper Fidelis Society hosted its 8th Annual Bulldog Challenge, one of the area’s most demanding tests of physical endurance. The challenge attracted more than 200 participants and spectators. The proceeds from the event were donated to the memorial funds created in honor of two Citadel graduates who were among the first casualties of the war in Iraq.  Cadet Chad Buckel along with 117 cadets teamed up with students from the College of Charleston at Johnson Hagood Stadium to sponsor the College Relay for Life. The event attracted several hundred people and raised $20,000 for the American Cancer Society's premier fundraising event.

          As part of the ceremonial events leading up to the burial of the final crew of the H.L. Hunley, cadets from Palmetto Battery, the ceremonial unit of the Corps of Cadets, cadet re-enactors and bagpipers marched in the procession from White Point Gardens to Magnolia Cemetery. Another eight cadets crewed the cemetery cannons and fired the salute.

          The Regimental Band and Pipes performed in a number of places including the Southern Conference Basketball Tournament, the Charleston St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the Scottish Highland Games in Dunedin, Fla. The Summerall Guards performed at Mardi Gras, the Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the Azalea Festival. Color guards made appearances at the Special Olympics, the Washington Light Infantry, the Northridge Church, the St. Andrews Society and the Hibernian Society.

In athletics

	Cadet Chip Cannon tags out a base runner at first base.

          In intramurals, Romeo Company led by Cadet Will Goodson accumulated the most points in intramurals and won the Board of Visitors’ Trophy, ending Hotel Company’s four-year run on the intramural championship. Hotel Company remained very competitive throughout the year and came in second place. India Company placed third; Oscar, fourth; and Alpha Company, fifth. Cadet Mario Coaxum received the Athletic Officer of the Year Award for the greatest contribution to the intramural program. Cadet Dennis Peeters was awarded the Intramural Athlete of the Year Award for proving to be the most outstanding athlete. Cadet Aaron Ayers won the Intramural Referee of the Year Award for his outstanding talents as a referee.

          The Pistol Team ended the season well, placing sixth at the College National Championships in free pistol. Staff Sgt. Freddy Morales and Staff Sgt. Javier Roman, both active duty students, were the individual standouts, earning all-American honors in air and free pistol.

          The Citadel made a strong standing in national collegiate boxing when Cadet Anthony Reynolds qualified to compete in the National Collegiate Boxing Association in Reno, Nev., in April. In the 175-pound class, Cadet Reynolds won his first match with a technical knock-out, but lost in the second round to the opponent who would become the national champion.

          In varsity sports, the track team had a successful semester. Cadet Travis Taylor placed among the top 10 in various events throughout the season, including a hurling the shot put 11.10 meters at Davidson College in N.C. Cadet Stephanie McNeill broke numerous school records in various throwing events during the season, most notably, the 20-pound weight and the shot put. Cadet McNeill set a meet record in the shot put with a mark of 39 feet, 2-1/2 inches and won the discus (35.69 meters) and the hammer (26.67 meters) at the Furman Invitational. Cadet Hunter Reid was the first recipient of the Bill Braskey Award. The Bill Braskey honor is given to the cadet who exemplifies the ideal all-round student-cadet-athlete at The Citadel, someone who goes well beyond the call of duty.

          The men's 4x100 intrepid relay squad won the gold medal for the fourth year in a row at the 110th Penn Relays Carnival at the University of Pennsylvania's Franklin Field. The team completed the event in 41.76, a record for this season. Four cadets earned silver medals at the Irwin Belk Invitational at Davidson College. Cadets Robert Killian and Travis Taylor and Erick Austin and Chris Petty earned second-place in their events. Cadet Alex Prince ran a season best in the 400 meters as he clenched the gold medal with a time of 47.81 at the South Carolina State Championships, and Cadet Thomas Cummings won the 400 intermediate hurdles in a personal best of 54.39.

          The tennis team opened the Southern Conference slate with a six-match winning streak. Cadet Matt Stubbs was named Southern Conference Tennis Player of the Week on March 16 and was later named to the All-Southern Conference first team. And Cadet Matt Williams was awarded the Buddy Hartsell Southern Conference Sportsmanship Award.

          The baseball team won the 2004 Southern Conference Baseball Tournament, the sixth title under Coach Fred Jordan. Cadet Matt Covington tied a Southern Conference Tournament record with 13 hits during the play-offs. The team pitched a tournament record five complete games, and for the first time since 2001, advanced to the NCAA Regionals where they defeated Coastal Carolina 10-1, marking the first regional win since 1998. Cadet Chip Cannon tied the Bulldogs' single-season homerun record with 17 and won multiple postseason awards: All-Southern Conference, All-Tournament, and All-American. Cadet Jonathan Ellis set The Citadel record for most innings pitched in a season with 136.1 and also tied the single season mark for most complete games pitched with nine. Cadet Ellis also won multiple postseason awards, including All-Southern Conference, All-Tournament, Southern Conference Tournament MVP, All-Regional, and All-American. Cadets Chris Ard, Jon Aughey, Ellis, Cannon, Matt Covington, Mark Egleton and Andy Phillips were all named to the Southern Conference All-Tournament Team. Cadets Ellis and Cannon were drafted into the major league: Cadet Ellis by the San Diego Padres and Cadet Cannon by the Toronto Blue Jays.

          As you can see, your cadets have been involved in impressive pursuits, and I am sure that you are very proud of them for their accomplishments.

          Norwood and I enjoyed meeting many of you during Parents’ Weekend festivities and look forward to seeing you again soon.