Honorary degrees presented to Citadel leaders

May 5, 2018June 7, 2018last updated on June 7, 2018 at 12:45 Commencement

The Citadel South Carolina Corps of Cadets Graduation 2018

Citadel president and Foundation Board of Directors chairman receive doctoral degrees

Two extraordinary leaders received honorary degrees from The Citadel Board of Visitors Saturday, May 5. The degrees were presented to Citadel President Lt. Gen. John W. Rosa and Citadel Foundation Board of Directors Chairman Claudius E. Watts, IV.

Lt. Gen. John W. Rosa

Gen. John Rosa Honorary Degree Recipient 2018

Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. John W. Rosa is a visionary whose leadership as The Citadel’s 19th president has earned the college a national reputation as a preeminent institution for educating and developing principled leaders.

General Rosa was a scholarship football player who graduated from The Citadel in 1973 and earned a commission in the U.S. Air Force, where he served for thirty-two years. A highly decorated command-rated fighter pilot with more than 3,600 hours who led the National Military Command Center at the Pentagon during the September 11 attacks and who later served as superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy, Rosa became the president of his alma mater on January 3, 2006. As president, Rosa oversaw two strategic plans that shaped the future of the college and ensured its legacy for generations to come. Under his astute guidance, The Citadel experienced unprecedented growth in academic programs and enrollment while leading peer colleges and universities in national rankings.

For his leadership and his advancement of The Citadel’s mission, The Citadel Board of Visitors is proud to confer upon Lt. Gen. John W. Rosa the honorary Doctor of Leadership degree.

Claudius E. Watts, IV

Claudius Watts, IV Honorary Degree Recipient 2018

Claudius E. Watts, IV, is a former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, a business leader, and a Class of 1983 alumnus who has served his alma mater with distinction.

Watts is a private investor and a Senior Advisor to The Carlyle Group, one of the world’s most successful investment firms, where Watts was a long-time partner. Watts has served his alma mater in numerous leadership roles, including as Chair of The Citadel Trust for several years and as Chairman of The Citadel Foundation Board of Directors since 2012. In this latter role, he has been a strategic visionary and the driving force behind the Foundation for Leadership campaign. To celebrate The Citadel’s 175th anniversary, Watts challenged the Foundation to set a $175 million goal for the six-year campaign and then worked with the Foundation board to provide the staff with the resources necessary to achieve it. Under his leadership, the Foundation far exceeded its goal, raising almost $250 million, thus helping to ensure excellence at The Citadel for years to come.

In recognition of his unfailing commitment to The Citadel, The Citadel Board of Visitors is proud to confer upon Claudius E. Watts IV, the honorary Doctor of Commerce degree.