The Citadel facts for kids
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Former name
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South Carolina Military Academy |
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| Motto | Honor • Duty • Respect |
| Type | Public senior military college |
| Established | 1842 |
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Academic affiliations
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Sea-grant |
| Endowment | $423.6 million (2021) |
| President | GEN Glenn M. Walters, USMC (Ret.) |
| Provost | BG Sally C. Selden, SCM |
| Commandant of Cadets | COL Thomas J. Gordon, USMC, (Ret.) |
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Academic staff
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225 |
| Students | 3,721 |
| Postgraduates | 1,026 |
| Location |
,
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United States
32°47′50″N 79°57′40″W / 32.79722°N 79.96111°W |
| Campus | Urban, 300 acres (121 ha) |
| Colors | Citadel Blue and White |
| Nickname | Bulldogs |
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Sporting affiliations
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NCAA Division I – SoCon |
| Mascot | Spike Live Mascots: General 3 (affectionately known as G3) |
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The Citadel Military College of South Carolina, often called The Citadel, is a public military college in Charleston, South Carolina. It was started in 1842 and is one of the oldest military colleges in the United States. The Citadel was first created to educate young men and help protect state arsenals in Charleston and Columbia.
The college has five main schools: Business, Education, Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Science and Mathematics. Students can choose from 38 main study programs and 55 smaller ones. The military program is for cadets who live on campus and work towards a bachelor's degree. For students who don't want to join the military program, the Citadel Graduate College offers many other degrees, including evening and online classes. About 1,350 students are in these non-military programs.
The South Carolina Corps of Cadets makes up more than half of the student body, with 2,226 members. Cadet life follows a special "class system" to help students become leaders. The Corps has its own traditions and rules. About one-third of graduates each year join the armed forces. All cadets must take part in ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) for different military branches. The Citadel also has sports teams called the Bulldogs, competing in NCAA Division I. Both cadets and non-cadets can play sports. Many Citadel graduates have become famous leaders, athletes, and writers.
Contents
History of The Citadel
The Citadel began in 1842 as the South Carolina Military Academy. It was first set up as two schools: the Citadel Academy in Charleston and the Arsenal Academy in Columbia. These schools were meant to train young men and protect important state buildings.
During the American Civil War, students from the Citadel Academy formed a military unit. They were involved in nine battles. In January 1861, Citadel cadets fired the first shots of the war when they shot at a Union ship trying to resupply Fort Sumter. The Citadel is one of only five American colleges to receive a special "battle streamer" award for its students' service during wartime.
In 1922, the school moved to its current campus by the Ashley River in Charleston. The Citadel has grown a lot since then. During World War II, many Citadel graduates served in the military. Some were even part of famous groups like the Flying Tigers.
The first black cadet joined in 1966. The first woman to graduate from The Citadel's graduate program was Maxine Hudson in 1969. In 1995, the first woman joined the Corps of Cadets program. In 2018, Sarah Zorn became the first woman to lead the entire South Carolina Corps of Cadets as Regimental Commander. Over the years, The Citadel has added new courses like Mechanical Engineering and Cybersecurity. Citadel cadets and alumni have served in every U.S. military action from the Mexican War to today.
What Students Learn
The Citadel offers many different programs for students. In 2002, the college organized its departments into five main schools, each with a dean.
The Five Schools
The five schools at The Citadel are: Business, Education, Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Science and Mathematics.
Business School
The Baker School of Business teaches students about Accounting, Finance, Management, and Marketing. It offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Many cadets choose to major in Business Administration. The school moved into a new building called Bastin Hall in 2021.
Education School
The Zucker Family School of Education offers programs for students who want to become teachers. It has undergraduate and graduate degrees in many teaching areas. The school was named after the Zucker Family in 2014 because of a large donation to support its programs.
Engineering School
The School of Engineering is one of the oldest engineering programs in the country. It has departments for Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering. In recent years, it has added new degrees like Construction Engineering. U.S. News & World Report has often ranked The Citadel's engineering program among the top in the nation for schools that don't offer doctoral degrees.
Humanities and Social Sciences
The School of Humanities and Social Sciences includes departments like Criminal Justice, English, History, and Political Science. This school offers many different majors and minors. It also has graduate programs in areas like cybersecurity and intelligence analysis.
Science and Mathematics
The Swain Family School of Science and Mathematics has departments such as Biology, Chemistry, Computer Sciences, and Nursing. This school, along with Education and Engineering, supports the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Center. The center hosts fun events like the annual "Storm The Citadel" competition, where teams build machines like trebuchets. The school was named for the Swain Family in 2018.
Academic Programs for All Students
Besides the Corps of Cadets, The Citadel has other ways for students to earn degrees. These programs are for active duty military, veterans, and civilians. They offer both in-person and online classes.
Corps of Cadets Program
The South Carolina Corps of Cadets is a full-time program where students live on campus in a military setting. It focuses on developing students as leaders and well-rounded individuals while they earn their bachelor's degrees.
Graduate College
The Citadel Graduate College (CGC) offers evening and online programs. It has many bachelor's, master's, and specialist degrees, as well as certificate programs. These are designed to fit around students' work and family lives.
College Transfer Programs
The Citadel Graduate College also has programs for students who want to transfer credits from other colleges. Students can complete their first two years elsewhere and then finish their degree at The Citadel. There are also degree completion programs for students who have already earned some college credits.
Enlisted Commissioning Programs
The Citadel helps enlisted members of the Navy and Marine Corps become officers. The first Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program (MECEP) in the U.S. started at The Citadel in 1973. These students attend classes with cadets but do not have to live in the barracks.
Leadership Training
The Citadel focuses a lot on teaching leadership skills.
ROTC
All cadets must take at least two years of ROTC training. This training is offered for the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force. Cadets are not required to join the military after graduating unless they have an ROTC scholarship. About 35% of cadets become officers when they graduate.
Coast Guard Auxiliary University Program
Cadets interested in the United States Coast Guard can join The Citadel's Coast Guard Auxiliary Unit Program. This program teaches cadets about different career paths in the Coast Guard.
Krause Center for Leadership and Ethics
The Krause Center for Leadership and Ethics helps students learn about leadership, good behavior, and serving others. It offers classes and workshops. First-year students learn about honor and ethics. The center also helps cadets find community service opportunities.
Cadet Officer Leadership School
High school students from Air Force JROTC units can attend a special week-long officer training program at The Citadel. They learn about military drill, uniforms, and leadership.
Rankings and Recognition
| Forbes | 220 |
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The Citadel is often recognized as a top school.
- For many years, U.S. News & World Report has ranked The Citadel as one of the best public universities in the Southern United States. It is also highly ranked for veterans and for undergraduate teaching.
- Money magazine has ranked The Citadel among the top U.S. colleges for its affordability and how well its graduates earn money.
- The Economist magazine also ranked The Citadel highly for the average earnings of its graduates.
- The Citadel has a high graduation rate, much higher than the national average.
Life as a Cadet
Students who want to join the South Carolina Corps of Cadets must meet certain fitness and test score requirements. Cadets live on campus in the barracks for all four years and cannot be married.
A typical day for cadets starts early with physical training (PT). They have military instruction, learn about weapons, and practice drills, along with their regular college classes. Days often include formal inspections and marching to meals. After classes and activities, there's a mandatory study period in the evening.
First-year cadets are sometimes called "knobs" because male cadets used to shave their heads. This haircut policy has changed recently. First-year cadets go through a tough "Challenge Week" to help them learn discipline and the core values of Honor, Duty, and Respect. The Citadel has strict rules against hazing, which is harmful behavior.
Cadets who break rules can get punishments like "tours" (marching with a rifle) or "confinements" (staying in their room).
The Regimental Band and Pipes
The Regimental Band was started in 1909 and is a big part of formal parades. Even though no band members are music majors, the band and pipe band are famous around the world. They have performed at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Scotland multiple times, representing the United States. They also perform at presidential parades.
Summerall Guards
The Summerall Guards are a silent drill team made up of 61 junior cadets chosen each spring. Started in 1932, their routine, called The Citadel Series, is very old and has never been written down. The Guards have performed at many important events across the U.S., including presidential inaugurations and NFL games.
Honors Program
The Honors Program is for cadets with excellent grades. It offers special classes, small seminars, and discussions to help them learn more deeply. About 25 cadets are accepted each year and receive scholarships. The program also helps cadets apply for other scholarships and internships. Many Citadel students have won prestigious awards like the Fulbright Scholars.
The Honors Program also helps cadets study abroad in other countries or intern in places like Washington, D.C..
Sports at The Citadel
The Citadel competes in NCAA Division I sports and is part of the Southern Conference. Their mascot is the Bulldog. Men's sports include football, basketball, baseball, wrestling, and more. Women's sports include volleyball, soccer, and track. There are also many club sports like lacrosse and rugby.
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The baseball team has won many championships and has sent 43 players to the MLB draft. In 1990, they became the first military school to play in the College World Series. Many alumni have played in Major League Baseball.
The football team has won four Southern Conference Championships. They have played in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs many times. In 2015, they beat the University of South Carolina. Many alumni have played in the NFL, including Andre Roberts and Travis Jervey.
The wrestling team has sent many members to the NCAA tournament. The rifle team has won four national championships.
Traditions
The Honor Code
A very important tradition at The Citadel is its Honor Code. It states that all students must not lie, cheat, steal, or allow others to do so. A special court run by cadets investigates any reported violations. For cadets, breaking the code can lead to expulsion. For non-cadets, a different group handles violations, with punishments ranging from making things right to expulsion.
Class Rings
Both cadet and non-cadet students can wear The Citadel's ring. It's a symbol of their hard work. First-class cadets and military students get their rings at a special ceremony. The Citadel ring is 10 karat gold and has the same design every year, only the class year changes.
Campus Life and Buildings
The Citadel campus is about 300 acres and sits by the Ashley River. It has 27 buildings built in a Spanish Moorish style, all around a large grassy parade ground. These buildings include classrooms, barracks (where cadets live), a dining hall, a chapel, a library, and sports facilities.
Padgett-Thomas Barracks
Padgett-Thomas Barracks was the first building on campus and was rebuilt in 2004. It has a tall 109-foot tower and can house up to 560 cadets.
Summerall Chapel
The Summerall Chapel was started in 1936 and named after Citadel president General Charles Pelot Summerall. Inside, there are 30 beautiful stained glass windows that show the life of Jesus Christ.
The Daniel Library
The Daniel Library opened in 1960 and was later named after Charles E. Daniel and Robert Hugh Daniel, who were big supporters of the college. It has over 200,000 books and many online journals. The third floor has the college's historical records and museum.
Campus Landmarks
Howie Bell Tower and Carillon
This bell tower was built in 1954 to honor Major Thomas D. Howie, a famous Citadel graduate from World War II. He was known as "The Major of St. Lo" because he was the first American to enter the city of St. Lo, France, during its liberation. The tower has 59 bronze bells and is one of the largest carillons in the Western Hemisphere.
Seraph Monument
This unique monument has parts from a British submarine called HMS Seraph. This submarine was involved in secret missions during World War II. The monument celebrates the friendship between the U.S. and Britain during the war.
General Mark Clark Gravesite
General Mark Wayne Clark, who was president of The Citadel from 1954 to 1965, is buried on campus. He was a very important U.S. Army General during World War II and the Korean War.
The Citadel Ring Statue
Near the main entrance to campus is a giant copy of The Citadel ring. This ring is a very important symbol for graduates.
Monuments to the Armed Forces
On the parade ground, there are monuments for each branch of the military. These honor Citadel graduates who have served in the military. They include a Marine landing craft, an Army tank, an Air Force jet, a helicopter, and an anchor from an aircraft carrier. A Coast Guard Bell honors graduates lost at sea.
Famous Graduates
The Citadel has many distinguished alumni (graduates) who have achieved great things. Some well-known graduates include former U.S. Ambassador to Brazil Langhorne A. Motley, U.S. Senator Ernest "Fritz" Hollings, best-selling authors Pat Conroy and Robert Jordan, and NFL player and coach Stump Mitchell.
Other notable alumni include:
- Colonel Randy Bresnik, a Space Shuttle astronaut.
- Andre Roberts, an NFL wide receiver.
- General Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., Commander of U.S. Central Command.
Overall, Citadel alumni include 6 governors, 3 U.S. senators, 12 congressmen, and presidents of 47 colleges. About 35% of cadets become military officers after graduation. Many alumni have reached high ranks in the military, becoming generals or admirals. Some have even served as pilots for famous U.S. military flight teams like the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels. Citadel graduates have also served in the militaries of other countries.
Sadly, many Citadel alumni have died while serving their country in various wars and conflicts, from the Mexican–American War to recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
