The Citadel is mourning the loss of a former cadet and one of its leaders.

Leonard Fulghum Jr., former chair for The Citadel Board of Visitors, passed away on October 25. Fulghum was elected by The Citadel Alumni Association in 1978 and then served on the Board of Visitors for more than 24 years. His tenure was marked by great challenges and exceptional triumphs. Serving as vice chair, and later chairman, Fulghum was a driving force who helped lead the college through the turn of the century.

“Col. Fulghum’s decades of dedicated service — as a governing member, as vice chair and as chair — helped shape The Citadel in profound and lasting ways,” said The Citadel President Gen. Glenn M. Walters, USMC (Ret.), ’79. “His leadership was instrumental in ensuring The Citadel continues to advance its mission to educate and develop principled leaders in all walks of life. As we mourn his loss, we must remember that his guidance, generosity and dedication to his alma mater set a standard for us all to follow.”

During his time on The Citadel BOV, Fulghum spearheaded negotiations to secure the property for the John Monroe J. Holliday Alumni Center, acquire College Park and build the Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park, home of The Citadel Baseball. 

A member of the Class of 1951, Fulghum’s vast experience in construction, hospital administration, banking and charitable fundraising, along with more than 60 years of civic involvement, provided him the expertise needed to become a leader at The Citadel, within the Lowcountry community and across the state.

In 2022 — for his loyalty and devotion to his alma mater, as well as his generosity of spirit — The Citadel Board of Visitors awarded Fulghum the Palmetto Medal, which recognizes exceptional performance reflecting great credit on The Citadel and the state of South Carolina. Fulghum was also awarded an honorary doctorate in Business Administration by The Citadel in 2002.

From The Post and Courier

Leonard Chesley Fulghum, Jr., 96, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, passed away peacefully at home on October 25, 2025.

Leonard was born in Goldsboro, North Carolina, to Martha Virginia Fowler and Leonard Chesley Fulghum, the oldest of two sons.

After completing high school, he moved to Charleston in 1947 to attend The Citadel, where he graduated in 1951 with a degree in history. After graduation, he worked for a short time at Citizens and Southern Bank. Then he served two years in the U. S. Air Force as a First Lieutenant.

He acquired wide-ranging experience in business, banking, fundraising, and civic involvement throughout his career, becoming a leader in the Lowcountry community. His entrepreneurial business endeavors began when he joined L. G. Ferguson, Inc., a painting contractor. He later purchased the company and established Ferguson Fulghum, Inc., retiring from that organization as the President and Chairman. He served as a founding director of the Bank of South Carolina and a founding director and chair of Market Restoration, Inc.

His generous spirit motivated him to share his business acumen with philanthropic efforts within the Lowcountry and the State. He served as chair of the South Carolina State Chamber of Commerce; chair of the South Carolina Development Board Advisory Committee; chair of United Way; chair of the Exchange Club of Charleston, Inc.; chair of the Coastal Carolina Fair; chair of the Charleston Development Board Foundation; chair of the Trident Chamber of Commerce; chairman emeritus of the East Cooper Medical Center; chair of the South Carolina State Chamber of Commerce; and chair of the Charleston Chapter of the American Cancer Society. He also served as the Financial Vice President of the Carolina Council of the Boy Scouts, a member of the Board of South Carolina Historical Society, Trustee of the Historic Charleston Foundation, and as an Honorary Life Member of the Hibernian Society. Leonard was a Deacon of the First (Scots) Presbyterian Church in Charleston and later became a member of the Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church.

His dedication to community service was acknowledged by well-deserved accolades, among them the Joseph P. Riley, Sr. Leadership Award for outstanding leadership and community service; the Boy Scouts of America Silver Beaver Medal; The Exchange Club of Mount Pleasant Book of Golden Deeds; and South Carolina’s highest award, the Order of the Palmetto. He was a member of the Country Club of Charleston and the Carolina Yacht Club.

He found time within his busy schedule to donate his talents to his alma mater. He served as the president of the Association of Citadel Men and was elected as an alumni member to the Board of Visitors in 1978. After completing a six-year term, he was elected by the South Carolina State Assembly for three additional consecutive terms, serving a total of twenty-four years on the Board of Visitors. He was elected by the Board as Vice Chair twice: 1986 to 1989 and 1992 to 1995. He then was elected Chair from 2000 to 2002. Upon completion of his last elected term in 2002, Leonard was elected as Chairman Emeritus. A loyal supporter of The Citadel, he was a member of the Brigadier Foundation as well as the prestigious Star of the West Society of The Citadel Foundation. He was also recognized as a member of the Order of the Tartan for twenty-five years of continuous contributions to The Citadel Foundation. The Citadel recognized Leonard with its two highest awards: an Honorary Doctorate Degree in 2002, and the Palmetto Medal in 2022.

Leonard married the love of his life, Jean Simpson Ferguson, in 1953 at The Citadel Summerall Chapel. They were proud parents of three children: Leonard C. “Len” Fulghum, III, who is deceased; Kenneth Scott “Ken” Fulghum (Karen); and Elizabeth “Beth” Fulghum Hayes (Michael). Their four grandchildren are: Virginia F. Lott (Judson); Leonard Chesley “Ches” Fulghum, IV; Jean Fulghum Kiphart (John); and Jennings Kerr “Jake” Owens, and four great-grandchildren: Ellis Marguerite Lott, Gentry Grice Lott, John Scott Kiphart, and Edith Simpson Kiphart. He is also survived by a brother, William Kenneth Fulghum, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Mount Pleasant Chapel. Visitation will be held at the Mount Pleasant Chapel, 1494 Mathis Ferry Rd., on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Funeral services will be held at the Summerall Chapel, The Citadel, 171 Moultrie St., Charleston, SC. on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The Citadel Foundation, Chapel Window Restoration Fund, 171 Moultrie Street, Charleston, SC 29409, or Roper Hospice, 8536 Palmetto Commerce Pkwy., Suite 207B, Ladson, SC 29456. A memorial message may be sent to the family at www.jhenrystuhr.com.