© The Citadel
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Citadel reunion classes come home
with nearly $12.5 million
Homecoming is, above all, about reuniting with old friends, and this year, six reunion classes reconnected with their old friend el Cid in an extraordinary way.
As part of the 2009 Homecoming festivities, The Citadel received $12,434,163 in charitable contributions from alumni celebrating their class reunions. The final tally of this year's reunion class giving will be even more substantial, as the campaign period includes contributions made through December 31.
The Classes of 1959 and 1969 presented checks exceeding $6.6 million and $4.8 million, respectively, during the Homecoming football game against Wofford, while the Classes of 1949, 1964, 1979, 1989, and 1999 offered reunion gifts totaling $957,107 to support key initiatives at The Military College of South Carolina.
"The Class of 1959 wanted to make a statement. We were charged to set the bar high by our class president, Art Richards, whom we lost in September, and we truly rallied as a class in his memory," said Bob Darst, Class of 59 Reunion Chairman.
"During Homecoming, several classmates have come forward with the intent to make significant contributions before the end of the year, so our class total will be larger than reported here." Darst added. "We hope that future classes will follow our lead and come back with even larger goals in the future."
Building on the success of the 2008 class reunion gifts, which brought back a total of $3.5 million, these reunion campaigns mark a new era in Citadel fundraising, one that rallies the bonds of classmates and emphasizes the importance of giving back to their alma mater amid a challenging economic climate and declining state support.
Celebrating its 50th reunion, The Citadel Class of 1959 proudly presented a check to Citadel President Lt. Gen. John W. Rosa for more than $6.6 million, surpassing the class goal of $6 million. Of this amount, more than $1 million has been designated to the Class of 1959’s 50th Reunion Fund in support of Honor Committee Courtroom renovations, Johnson Hagood Stadium revitalization, Krause Leadership Endowment opportunities, cadet travel programs, and The Citadel's annual Principled Leadership Symposium.
The Class of 1969 presented a 40th reunion gift to Rosa for a little more than $4.8 million significantly surpassing its original $1 million goal. Of this total, almost $1 million has been directed to the Class of 1969’s 40th Reunion Fund in support of the Class of ‘69 Scholarship, the Johnson Hagood Stadium revitalization, the Deans' Discretionary Funds, and The Citadel Fund.
Conducted by Citadel classes celebrating their decade reunions (10th through 60th), these campaigns are launched three years prior to the milestone Homecoming gathering. During this period, each class identifies and raises funds to support one or more major campus needs to benefit from the class gift.
Class |
Reunion |
Total Raised to Date |
1949 |
60th |
$289,505 |
1959 |
50th |
$6,635,729 |
1964 |
45th |
$314,017 |
1969 |
40th |
$4,841,327 |
1979 |
30th |
$199,488 |
1989 |
20th |
$100,863 |
1999 |
10th |
$53,234 |
Recognizing its 60th reunion, the Class of 1949 has raised $289,505 to date, fulfilling its $250,000 goal to establish and endow the Class of 1949 Scholarship and allocating the balance to support The Citadel Fund, which provides resources for the college's most immediate needs.
The Class of 1979 has raised $199,488 so far in recognition of its 30th reunion, while the Class of 1989 presented a check for $100,863 marking its 20th. With a focus on broad participation 10 years out of college, the Class of 1999 raised $53,234 to establish a scholarship named for the class.
Marking the occasion of its 45th reunion with a special campaign effort, the Class of 1964 presented a check to The Citadel in the amount of $314,017 designated to the Class of 1964 Scholarship Fund for the benefit of cadets today and in the future.
As the class reunion campaigns were conducted, the spirit of Citadel competition helped fuel each class's motivation to exceed its goal. By their resounding success in building upon this emerging tradition of reunion giving, Citadel graduates of all ages demonstrate their unyielding commitment to ensuring the forward march of the Long Gray Line.
Above all, these milestone gifts underscore the enduring importance of The Citadel's core values, reinforcing the notion that selfless service and philanthropy are essential virtues of the principled leader.
