Just last week, cadets were counting down the days until the Class of 2026 received their bands of gold.
Now, 531 soon-to-be graduates wear the ring.
The ring presentation is an important part of Parents’ Weekend, when The Citadel welcomed to campus the friends and families of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets.
On Friday, September 19, members of the Class of 2026 received their class rings after marching from the barracks to Summerall Chapel. Following the ring presentation, cadets paid their respects to The Citadel War Memorial before returning to their barracks.
The freshmen cadet-recruits, or knobs, received their company letters the following day on Saturday, Sept. 20. Annually, this is a significant milestone for a freshman at The Citadel, along with Recognition Day and Matriculation Day.
A Jeep Review parade on Summerall Field, a performance by the Rifle Legion at Padgett-Thomas Barracks and a halftime performance by the Summerall Guards during the football game versus Mercer were all part of the Parents’ Day Weekend activities.
The first Parents’ Day at The Citadel was held in 1934. Today it is one of the college’s four major weekends.
Prints of photos from this year’s events will be available for purchase through The Citadel’s photo store; they will also be available for free digital download at the same link.
The Citadel named overall #1 Regional University in the South by U.S. News & World Report for second year in a row
My Ring Story: Being a cadet at The Citadel made me bolder and encouraged me to pursue challenges
My Ring Story: Nothing good comes easy
