Charlie Coe, ’73, given the 2024 Krause Center Award for Distinguished Service, Leadership and Ethics

October 25, 2024October 25, 2024 Alumni

Photo: Charlie Coe, ’73 (left), is presented the Krause Center Award for Distinguished Service Leadership and Ethics by Bill Krause, ’64 (right).

Charlie Coe, ’73, is the recipient of the 2024 Krause Center Award for Distinguished Service Leadership and Ethics. The award is presented annually to a Citadel graduate whose life and actions exemplify the highest ideals of distinguished service, leadership and ethics through their personal integrity and service to others. Coe is the 13th recipient of the award.

Bill Krause, ’64, presented the award to Coe on Thursday, Oct. 24, during The Citadel’s Greater Issues Address featuring Coe as the speaker.

“Today, we recognize an exceptional individual who has exemplified the highest ideals of a principled leader. I’ve been fortunate to have known Charlie for some 22 years almost to the day,” said Krause. “Charlie Coe has dedicated a lifetime to principled leadership and service to this country, and selfless service to The Citadel as a leader and philanthropist.”

After serving his country in Vietnam, Coe enrolled at The Citadel as a veteran student, graduating second in his class in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. He was recruited by AT&T’s management development program, through which he earned his Master of Business Administration degree in 1983 from Georgia State University. He rose quickly through the ranks at AT&T and BellSouth and, at the time of his retirement, served as president of Network Services for BellSouth Telecommunications.

In addition to his record of military service before entering The Citadel, Coe’s long and distinguished career as an executive in the telecommunications industry, combined with his exceptional philanthropic commitment both to his college and his community, clearly demonstrates The Citadel’s core values of honor, duty and respect, as well as the characteristics of service, leadership and ethics that the Krause Center Award seeks to recognize.

“Thank you to General Walters, Provost Sally Selden, Board of Visitors members and The Citadel Foundation members who are here today, as well as faculty, staff and guests. And especially, the members of the Corps of Cadets — a very impressive group. I am deeply honored and humbled to receive this award,” said Coe.

As President of BellSouth International, Coe led the transformation of this small startup formed by the divestiture of the Bell System into a portfolio of successful telecommunications businesses in 17 countries in Europe, Asia, Latin America and Australia. During his tenure at BellSouth, the company enjoyed its best-ever revenue and profit growth, introduced internet services to its customers, deployed high-speed connections to residences and facilitated the connection of its network to those of its competitors.

Throughout the years, Coe has served The Citadel in key leadership roles. Having served as vice chairman of The Citadel Foundation Board of Directors for four years, as chairman for four years, as a director for more than 20 years, as TCF representative to The Citadel Board of Visitors for four years, and on numerous committees including the Capital Campaign Steering Committee, he has helped position the college to maintain its impeccable standard of excellence in order to meet the needs of 21st century students. Coe continued to prove his business acumen and leadership by serving on a four-person volunteer task force, the Financial Analysis Group, which developed strategic recommendations to help make The Citadel stronger for years to come.

For his longstanding service to his college, his country and his community, Coe was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Business Administration degree by The Citadel in 2011 and was inducted into The Citadel Academy of Engineers in 2018. Throughout his esteemed career, Coe has brought great credit to The Citadel through his professional distinction, his dedication to his alma mater, his support of the Charleston community and his service to the state and the nation.