The Citadel honored three of its most outstanding cadets during the South Carolina Corps of Cadets Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 3.

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.

First Honor Graduate

This year, the prestigious title of First Honor Graduate went to Cadet Andrew Palmer.

Palmer, from Alexandria, Virginia, has triple-majors in Political Science, with a focus on International and Military Affairs, German and History. He has also earned a minor in Economics. In the summer of 2023, Palmer was an Intern in the US House of Representatives and in the spring of 2024, he was a Truman Foundation Scholarship finalist. For the past three years, Palmer has been a member of The Citadel Distinguished Scholars Program and from his freshman year he has been a member of The Citadel Honors Program. During his sophomore year, he studied abroad with The Citadel UK program, working as an intern for the Margaret Thatcher Centre, Parliament and for the Institute of Economic Affairs. Palmer organized a service project to Rwanda where he built mountain bike trails in the countryside. He continued to Bosnia and the United Kingdom, where he researched British policy regarding the Rwanda and Bosnia peacekeeping missions. Palmer has emersed himself in The Citadel experience, between his outstanding academic record and sporting achievements. He is a leader among his peers, serving as Battalion Commander his senior year, having also served as Sergeant Major in his junior year. He is a boxing champion and captain of the hurling team. Most recently, he was awarded the Col. Myron Harrington Award by the World Affairs Council of Charleston for the most distinguished cadet in foreign affairs. Palmer did all of this while maintaining a perfect cumulative GPA. With his feet on the ground, he has always kept his eyes on the future. Andrew is a four-year Air Force ROTC scholarship recipient and upon graduation, he will be commissioned as an officer in the Air Force.

Second Honor Graduate

The Second Honor Graduate for the Class of 2025 is Cadet Timothy Kolb, Jr.

Kolb is from York, Pennsylvania. Kolb stayed very busy during his time here at The Citadel. He is a Mechanical Engineering major who has earned a perfect cumulative GPA. He is a Navy ROTC scholarship recipient, President of the Trident Society and Vice President of the Engineering Honor Society. He served as Staff Sergeant and Platoon Sergeant and in his senior year he was the Academic Commanding Officer for November Company. Kolb could often be found at outreach events with the School of Engineering talking to potential incoming students. His outreach also extended past the boundaries of the classroom and the campus. His leadership is further revealed in his work for Title 1 Schools, Homeworks of America and Second Chance Bikes.

John O. Willson Ring

The John O. Willson Ring has been awarded annually since 1911 to a senior elected by their peers as the finest, purest and most courteous member of the class.

The Class of 2025 voted to award the John O. Willson Ring to Cadet Grant Kidner who is from Dover, Delaware and received a degree in Construction Engineering. Kidner excelled in academics and his military training. He was awarded an ROTC scholarship and took his commissioning oath at the Joint Commissioning ceremony. During his time here at The Citadel, Kidner led his fellow cadets first as a Staff Sergeant, then moving to Platoon Sergeant. He spent countless hours serving as Honor Chairman for both his fall and spring semesters senior year. He consistently demonstrates principled leadership and service to others.