One of the campus venues most associated with cadet life, Mark Clark Hall Auditorium is frequently used for campus lectures, fine arts performances, student meetings, Red Cross blood drives, and various departmental functions. The Honorable Stephen E. Buyer Auditorium recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of one of The Citadel’s models of civic responsibility and dutiful public service.

Upon learning of the decision to name the auditorium in his honor, Congressman Buyer remarked, “To be honored by my mentors and peers is humbling. I believe The Citadel’s principled leadership traits have proven to be the best orientation to lead a nation.”

A dedication ceremony is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11 during Homecoming. The ceremony will be followed by the annual twilight military dress parade at 5:05 p.m.

“This college is proud of Steve Buyer and honored to have this opportunity available,” remarked Colonel Billy Jenkinson, Chairman of The Citadel’s Board of Visitors, “He is most deserving.” Major General Roger Cliff Poole, interim Citadel President, echoed these sentiments. “Congressmen Buyer exemplifies the traits that The Citadel holds most dear through his leadership, achievements and service to others,” Poole said. “He is a true citizen soldier.”

Congressman Buyer is a distinguished military graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. Upon graduation from Valparaiso Law School, Congressman Buyer branch transferred to the Judge Advocate General Corps and was called to active duty for a period of three years. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army and served his country in the Gulf War. Congressman Buyer currently serves as a Colonel in the Army Reserves and co-chairs the U.S. House of Representatives Guard and Reserve Components Caucus.

In 1992, Steve Buyer was elected to Congress from Indiana. He is currently serving his 7th term for Indiana’s Fourth Congressional District.

An exemplary illustration of The Citadel’s commitment to principled leadership, Congressman Buyer strongly believes in fulfilling his duty as an American citizen, even when performing that duty is unpopular. He closed his solo law practice in Monticello with three days’ notice to serve in the Gulf War; he served as a House Impeachment Manager in the prosecution of President Bill Clinton before the U.S. Senate; and he fought to prevent the disenfranchisement of military absentee voters during the 2000 presidential election Florida recount.

As Chairman of the House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee during the 105th and 106th Congresses, Congressman Buyer championed the TRICARE for Life Senior Pharmacy entitlement program.

Congressman Buyer is chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, which has oversight over the second largest health care organization in the world and leads the effort to ensure that those who have served in uniform—and their families—receive the benefits they deserve. He takes this responsibility of stewarding America’s veterans very seriously.

Congressman Buyer also serves as a senior member of the powerful House Committee on Energy and Commerce, where he is using his experience as a conferee on the 1996 Telecom bill to play an important role in shaping America's telecommunications industry.

Congressman Buyer, a member of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, has been one of the leading voices for a prescription drug benefit plan for seniors, using the lessons he learned in creating a prescription drug benefit for veterans to help lower costs for all seniors as well.

A Tippecanoe River area native, Congressman Buyer lives in Monticello, IN, with his wife, Joni, and their two children, Colleen and Ryan. Attending The Citadel has become a Buyer family tradition: his father, Dr. John J. Buyer, Sr., DDS, is a member of The Citadel’s Class of 1950, and his brother, Dr. John J. Buyer, Jr., DDS, currently a Colonel in the U.S. Army, is a member of the Class of 1979.

Congressman Buyer’s military honors include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (4), Army Achievement Medal (2), Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (2), National Defense Service Medal, South-West Asia Service Medal (3), Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal Saudi Arabia, Kuwait Liberation Medal Kuwait, Army Service Ribbon (2), and Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon (2).

For service to his country as both a citizen and a soldier, Congressman Buyer has been awarded:

• Reserve Officers Association Arthur T. Marix Award
• Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery Eagle Award
• Retired Officers Association Colonel Paul W. Arcari Meritorious Service Award
• Dept. of Europe of the Reserve Officers Association Nathan Hale Award
• Military Coalition’s Award of Merit
• Judge Advocate General’s Distinguished Member of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps Regiment
• Reserve Officers Association Minuteman of the Year
• Vietnam Veterans of America Legislator of the Year
• Air Force Sergeants Association L. Mendel Rivers Award of Excellence
• Enlisted Guard Association of the United States Concord Minuteman Award
• Senior Army Reserve Commanders Association Outstanding Legislator of the Year Award
• The Citadel’s Man of the Year (1995)
  

For more information:
   Jarret Sonta
   (843) 953-6919
   jarret.sonta@citadel.edu

[Back to the Citadel Foundation home page]