Photo above: some of The Citadel Alumni Association’s 2025 awards recipients taking review at the 2025 Homecoming parade on campus.

The Citadel Alumni Association, or CAA, in accordance with its bylaws, annually recognizes alumni for their contributions to The Citadel and CAA.

The 2025 CAA award recipients are as follows:

Distinguished Life Member
Brig. Gen. Hugh B. Tant III, USA (Ret.), ’71

Brig. Gen. Hugh B. Tant III, Class of 1971, personifies The Citadel’s core values of honor, duty and respect through a lifetime of distinguished military service, civic leadership and devotion to his alma mater. A Charleston native, he graduated as a Distinguished Military Graduate before serving more than 30 years in the U.S. Army, commanding at every level and earning an exceptional record of leadership and achievement.

Tant held key assignments in the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions and the 24th Infantry Division, serving across Europe, the Far East and the Middle East. During the Persian Gulf War, he commanded the 101st Airborne Division’s base camp and later oversaw a significant portion of the Army’s $44 billion budget at the Pentagon. In 2003, he was selected by Ambassador Paul Bremer to lead the Iraqi Currency Exchange — an unprecedented effort to replace Iraq’s national currency under combat conditions, completed in less than six months. For this, he received the U.S. Treasury’s Distinguished Service Award, the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star.

Beyond his military service, Tant has been an enduring pillar of support for The Citadel and the greater Charleston community. He has contributed generously to the Brigadier Foundation, championed the establishment of The Citadel Veteran Center and supported programs that aid veterans in need. His civic involvement includes Drayton Hall, Camp Happy Days and the Roper St. Francis Foundation.

Together with his wife, Christine — a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps — he continues to inspire future generations through service, mentorship and philanthropy. Their family’s ongoing ties to The Citadel represent a legacy of leadership and loyalty that spans generations.

Alumnus of the Year
Robert “Bob” Schivera, ’69

Robert “Bob” Schivera, Class of 1969, has exemplified a lifetime of service, professional excellence and unwavering loyalty to The Citadel and its alumni network. A former president of both The Citadel Alumni Association (CAA) and the Savannah Citadel Club, he remains one of the Association’s most trusted advisors and advocates.

Graduating in the top five percent of his class, Schivera earned his commission through the Army ROTC program and later received his Juris Doctor from Wake Forest University and Master of Laws from New York University. As an officer in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, he served as a senior trial lawyer and military magistrate, demonstrating the integrity and discipline that have defined his career.

Following his military service, Schivera built a distinguished legal practice recognized nationally for excellence. In 2017, he was named Georgia’s only Super Lawyer in the category of Closely Held Business. Licensed before multiple state and federal courts, he is respected for his expertise, professionalism and fairness.

For decades, Schivera has shared his experience and insight with the CAA as parliamentarian and chair of the Bylaws Committee, ensuring sound governance and transparency. His counsel has shaped key policies and strengthened collaboration between the Association and The Citadel. He was instrumental in developing the current memorandum of understanding between the CAA and the college — an enduring framework for partnership and accountability.

Beyond his formal roles, Schivera is known for his quiet generosity and deep devotion to The Citadel community. He has supported The Citadel Foundation, The Brigadier Foundation and numerous alumni initiatives, always leading by example with humility and grace.

Young Alumna of the Year
Capt. Natalie Rodgers, USA, ’19

Capt. Natalie Rodgers, USA, Class of 2019, has distinguished herself through visionary leadership and innovation in the U.S. Army. As operations officer for the 1-61 Infantry Regiment, she helped design and implement the Future Soldier Preparatory Course (FSPC), transforming Army readiness and recruitment. Within two years, she oversaw the program’s development and execution, guiding more than 15,000 trainees to successful service.

Rodgers coordinated across multiple training centers, ensuring seamless operations and maintaining unit readiness above 93%. Her work established the FSPC as a national model for preparing new soldiers while improving Army strength and morale.

A leader who personifies The Citadel’s core values of honor, duty and respect, Rodgers continues to mentor cadets and fellow officers. Her innovation and dedication have left a lasting mark on Army training and the broader Citadel community.

District Director of the Year
Emmet Howle, ’85

Emmet Howle, Class of 1985, serves as the District Director for North Carolina, where his leadership and commitment have strengthened alumni engagement across the state. Over the past year, he has revitalized North Carolina clubs through personal visits, event participation, and mentorship of local leaders. His dedication helped all North Carolina clubs earn Gold Star recognition in 2024, a milestone for the newly reestablished Triangle Area Citadel Club.

Howle’s hands-on leadership has inspired growth, collaboration and renewed enthusiasm among alumni. He has also played a key role in community efforts, including raising funds to replace a fellow alumna’s lost ring. His consistent presence, enthusiasm, and loyalty embody the spirit of The Citadel.

Recently elected vice president of The Citadel Alumni Association, Howle continues to exemplify servant leadership and commitment to his alma mater.

Club President of the Year
Dr. Jordan Dosher, ’09

Dr. Jordan Dosher, Class of 2009, has revitalized Citadel spirit across South Carolina’s Upstate through his leadership of the Anderson Area Citadel Club (AACC). After re-establishing the club in 2021, he guided it to four consecutive years of growth and consecutive Gold Star honors. Under his leadership, AACC now serves more than 160 alumni across multiple counties.

Dosher personally funded the club’s early meetings and helped launch major events, including the 2023 Clemson vs. Citadel alumni tailgate — the largest off-campus alumni gathering of the year. A former Army officer, he also serves as District 4 Director on the CAA Board and contributes to the History Committee’s work on the Tulifinny Battle marker project.

His energy and vision continue to unite alumni through service projects, send-offs and community outreach. The Citadel Alumni Association proudly honors Dr. Dosher as the 2025 Club President of the Year.