The Citadel

The Summerall Guards for the Class of 2026 are now in position. The 61 rising-senior cadets held their first performance during the changing of the guard ceremony, an event that is part of The Citadel's annual Corps Day weekend ceremonies. This marks the moment that the Class of 2025 Summerall Guards perform their last precision drills as a unit before passing their rifles to the new platoon. They were selected after a process that included weeks of Bond Volunteer Aspirant (BVA) training. Junior cadets who pass an initial physical fitness test take part in the six-week BVA training and tryout sessions. They must perform military pushups, sit-ups and rifle-bearing physical training, exhibiting exceptional physical condition and stamina. Known around the United States as one of the elite military drill troupes, membership is a high honor at the military college of South Carolina. Created in 1932, The Summerall Guards have represented The Citadel at events around the nation, including performing in five presidential inaugural parades. The platoon is named for Gen. Charles P. Summerall, former Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army and The Citadel president from 1931 until 1953. Its purpose is to exemplify the exactness and thoroughness of a cadet's training through a unique series of movements based on old, close-order Prussian drills. The maneuvers have never been written down, are passed from class to class and are performed to a silent count. The 61 seniors will be commanded by Cadet Cole Bouknight.

Cadet Edgar Perry, known as Lee to friends and family, graduated with honors from The Citadel's prestigious Honors Program on Saturday, May 3, capping off an undergraduate career marked by academic excellence, leadership and community service. Perry, a native of Augusta, was recognized with the Dr. Francis Eugene Zemp Award, presented to the top pre-med student at The Citadel with the highest GPA. His journey at The Citadel began in 2021 when he was awarded the institution's most prestigious academic honor, the Star of the West Scholarship, given to just one incoming freshman each year. Throughout his four years at The Citadel, Perry has compiled an exceptional resume. He earned his private pilot license, served as the academic officer for Bravo Company, and sat on the Honor Court. He has achieved Gold Star and Dean's List honors every semester and was inducted into both Alpha Epsilon Delta and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies. Perry also conducted and published medical research, studied abroad in Belize and Spain, and participated in a medical mission trip to Jamaica with the Straight Caribbean Spine Foundation. He currently serves as president of The Citadel Golf Club and volunteers with The First Tee in Charleston. For several years, he also volunteered on the medical team at the Masters Tournament in Augusta. As he prepares to walk the stage and receive his diploma, Perry will represent the best of The Citadel and the promise of a new generation of medical professionals. Perry has also been accepted to the Medical College of Georgia, where he will begin medical school.

The Citadel honored three of its most outstanding cadets during the South Carolina Corps of Cadets Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 4. The awards, which are given out annually, recognize the cadets with the highest grade-point averages, as well as the most courteous member of the graduating class. The David Shingler Spell First and Second Honor Graduates are the cadets whose grade-point averages are the highest in each graduating class, based on the total college record of that class. Recipients of the awards receive a plaque and a stipend for educational expenses at the graduate level.

The Summerall Guards for the Class of 2023 are now in position. They were selected after a process that included weeks of Bond Volunteer Aspirant (BVA) training. Junior cadets who pass an initial physical fitness test take part in the six-week BVA training and tryout sessions. They must perform military pushups, sit-ups and rifle-bearing physical training, exhibiting exceptional physical condition and stamina. The changing of the guard ceremony is part of The Citadel's annual Corps Day/Recognition Day weekend ceremonies. The Class of 2022 Summerall Guards performed their last precision drills as a unit before passing their rifles to the new platoon earlier this spring. Known around the United States as one of the elite military drill troupes, cadets consider membership is a high honor at the military college of South Carolina. Created in 1932, The Summerall Guards have represented The Citadel at events around the nation, including performing in five presidential inaugural parades. The platoon is named for Gen. Charles P. Summerall, former Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army and The Citadel president from 1931 until 1953. It's purpose is to exemplify the exactness and thoroughness of a cadet's training through a unique series of movements based on old, close-order Prussian drills. The maneuvers have never been written down, are passed from class to class and are performed to a silent count. The 61 seniors will be commanded by Cadet Cyrus Mendez.

The Citadel honored three of its most outstanding cadets during the South Carolina Corps of Cadets Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 6. The awards, which are given out annually, recognize the cadets with the highest grade-point averages, as well as the most courteous member of the graduating class. The David Shingler Spell First and Second Honor Graduates are the cadets whose grade-point averages are the highest in each graduating class, based on the total college record of that class. Recipients of the awards receive a plaque and a stipend for educational expenses at the graduate level.

During commencement season, The Citadel recognizes members of the graduating class who excelled during their time at the college, as well as some of the outstanding faculty who helped educate them. Each year, The Citadel Graduate College celebrates student and faculty excellence in areas of academics, leadership and service during the annual CGC Awards Ceremony. On Thursday, May 4, 18 students and educators were recognized during the 2023 CGC Awards Ceremony at the Holliday Alumni Center prior to the 2023 Commencement ceremonies.

The Summerall Guards for the Class of 2024 are now in position. The 61 rising-senior cadets held their first performance during the changing of the guard ceremony, an event that is part of The Citadel's annual Corps Day/Recognition Day weekend ceremonies. This marks the moment that the Class of 2023 Summerall Guards perform their last precision drills as a unit before passing their rifles to the new platoon. They were selected after a process that included weeks of Bond Volunteer Aspirant (BVA) training. Junior cadets who pass an initial physical fitness test take part in the six-week BVA training and tryout sessions. They must perform military pushups, sit-ups and rifle-bearing physical training, exhibiting exceptional physical condition and stamina.

Three Citadel cadets attended the Free Enterprise Forum April 9-10 at the College of the Ozarks. The two-day forum included sessions with guest speakers Dr. Burt Folsom, professor of history and management at Hillsdale College; Mary Propes-Reynolds, chairwoman of VDV Group, LLC, a family business; and Toby Rush, CEO of ZOLOZ, a digital identity solutions company. The keynote speaker of the event was Steve Forbes, chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes Media. After each guest speaker, students participated in break-out sessions that facilitated in-depth discussion. In addition to The Citadel representatives from Evangel University, Georgia Military College, Marion Military Institute, Marine Military Academy, New Mexico Military Institute, Southwest Baptist University, U.S. Naval Academy, Virginia Military Institute and Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets also attended the forum.

One of the first major events during the commencement season at The Citadel is the annual awards convocation for the South Carolina Corps of Cadets. The awards are presented to cadets and active duty students in recognition of their outstanding accomplishments. This year's convocation took place on Thursday, May 4, inside the McAlister Field House.

Sixty-one cadets were selected to the Class of 2019 Summerall Guards. Earning a position to the platoon is amonth the highest honors a member of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets can attain.

Citadel cadets spent part of their Spring Furlough on a four-day trip to Orangeburg, South Carolina; Greensboro, North Carolina; and Washington D.C. to visit historical sites, museums and colleges important to the Civil Rights Movement.

The Society of the Cincinnati of the State of South Carolina presented Cadet Lt. Col. John Cordes with the 2018 Citadel Medal.

Cadet Col. George Dillon Graham was a 2018 recipient of the General Douglas MacArthur Cadet of the Year Award. The award is presented to the most outstanding cadets from the 12 colleges and universities comprising the Association of Military Colleges and Schools (AMCSUS).

The Citadel Graduate College honored distinguished evening undergraduate students, graduate students and faculty members at an awards ceremony for their academic achievements and outstanding leadership on May 4 at Johnson Hagood Stadium.

At the Awards Convocation on May 4, more than 50 awards were presented to cadets in recognition of their outstanding accomplishments during the school year.

The Summerall Guards, a silent precision drill platoon from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, demonstrate the college's ideals of honor, integrity, loyalty, leadership, self-discipline and patriotism.

The 2017 Presidential Inaugural Parade represents the 7th inaugural parade in which The Citadel Regimental Band and Pipes, Color Guard and/or Summerall Guard have been selected to participate.

The 2017 Presidential Inaugural Parade represents the 7th inaugural parade in which The Citadel Regimental Band and Pipes and/or Summerall Guard have been selected to participate.

The Commandant's Cup is awarded to the company earning the highest points for parade and squad drill performance. The award was established by Lt. Col. William C. Miller, commandant from 1926-31.

The Milton A. Pearlstine Award is presented annually by The Citadel Alumni Association (CAA) in honor of Milton A. Pearlstine, Citadel Class of 1919 and past president of the CAA, to the cadet company achieving the highest freshman class grade point ratio for the previous school year.

The Summerall Cup, named for The Citadel's president from 1931-53, is donated by the European Citadel Association. It is awarded annually to the cadet company with the best overall academic achievement.

The President's Cup was established by General Hugh P. Harris, president of The Citadel from 1965-70. It is awarded annually to the cadet company that establishes the highest combined score in academic achievement, military performance, extracurricular participation and fourth class retention.

Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges is one of the most highly regarded and long-standing honors programs in the nation. Nominations are based on strength of character, academic achievement, military achievement, leadership, campus activities and participation and excellence in athletics at the varsity, intramural or club sport level.

The Summerall Guards, a silent precision drill platoon from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, demonstrate The Citadel ideals of honor, integrity, loyalty, leadership, self-discipline and patriotism.

The Citadel's current freshmen became official members of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets on Saturday, April 9, 2016.

The Tommy Baker Fellows program awards fellowships each academic year and includes a $5,000 stipend for tuition and educational expenses and an individualized internship experience overseen by The Citadel Career Services division, which offers academic credit as well as a customized educational experience.

Members of The Citadel's Department of Civil Engineering participated in the Department of Transportation Beyond Traffic Workshop.

"America's Band" in 2015: The Citadel Regimental Band and Pipes Invited Back to Tattoo in Scotland to Represent the US

Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges is one of the most highly regarded and long-standing honors programs in the nation. Nominations are based on strength of character, academic achievement, military achievement, leadership, campus activities and participation and excellence in athletics at the varsity, intramural or club sport level.

Citadel cadets form first club of its kind, Student Learning Disabilities Association of The Citadel (SLDAC), to promote awareness and support for the education of people with learning disabilities, their families, and those who teach them.