During commencement season, The Citadel recognizes members of the graduating class who excelled during their time at the college, as well as some of the outstanding faculty who helped educate them.

Each year, The Citadel Graduate College celebrates student and faculty excellence in areas of academics, leadership and service during the annual CGC Awards Ceremony.

On Thursday, May 4, 18 students and educators were recognized during the 2023 CGC Awards Ceremony at the Holliday Alumni Center prior to the 2023 Commencement ceremonies.

Award recipients include:

Graduate Student Award for Academic Excellence and Leadership:

Max Beilke

The graduate student award recognizes an exceptional student that has demonstrated academic excellence and leadership while at The Citadel.

College Transfer Program Student Award for Academic Excellence and Leadership:

S. Grier Hensley

The evening undergraduate student award recognizes an exceptional student that has demonstrated both academic excellence and leadership while at The Citadel.

Veteran Student Success Center Award for Academic Excellence and Leadership:

Brett Polen

The veteran student award recognizes an exceptional student that has demonstrated both academic excellence and leadership while at The Citadel.

Faculty Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Graduate College

Dr. Britnie Kane

The faculty award was created to recognize a distinguished faculty member that has made outstanding contributions to graduate education on campus.

Faculty Award for Outstanding Contributions to the College Transfer Program:

Dr. Chris Bellon

The faculty award was created to recognize a distinguished faculty member that has made outstanding contributions to graduate education on campus.

Hirshey Awards

Adrianna Napier

Aletha Setser

Grace Barry

Julie Nguyen

Jillian Patton

The Hirshey Awards are presented each spring to both graduate and cadet students exemplifying excellence in education in honor of Charles Hirshey, Ph.D., the head of The Citadel Department of Education from 1969 to 1979. Hirshey is a pioneer of graduate education in the Lowcountry and a founding member of what is now The Citadel Graduate College.

Aline M. Mahan Award

Cassidy Graham

The Aline M. Mahan Award is presented annually to graduates who have demonstrated an outstanding record of scholarship, technical skill and community service in the school psychology program at The Citadel.

J. Patrick Leverett Award

Wendi Norris

The J. Patrick Leverett Award is presented to the year’s outstanding graduate of the Department of Psychology’s master’s degree program in clinical counseling. This award honors Professor Pat Leverett, who served as a faculty member in the department for 10 years.

Michael Politano Graduate Research Award

Hannah Rosselle

Presented annually by the faculty in the Department of Psychology to one student from either the School Psychology or Clinical Counseling program who has evidenced excellence in the domain of clinical research. The award honors the contributions of Dr. Politano, emeritus professor in the Department of Psychology, who tirelessly worked to advance the field and discipline.

MBA Student of the Year

Debra Petitpain

The MBA Outstanding Student of the Year Award is determined by a vote of faculty members who teach in the MBA program. It is presented to a graduate who has demonstrated an exceptional record of academic achievement and principled leadership within the MBA program.

MBA Faculty Member of the Year

Susan Wright

The MBA Faculty Member of the Year Award is determined by a vote of Citadel MBA students and is presented to a faculty member who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to the education of their students.

Business College Transfer Program Student of the Year

Diana Stewart

The award is presented to an undergraduate student who has demonstrated an exceptional record of academic achievement and principled leadership within the program. The award is determined by a vote of faculty members who teach in the evening College Transfer Program.

Business College Transfer Program Faculty of the Year 

Cindy Bolt

Determined by a vote of the evening undergraduate students, The School of Business recognizes the accomplishments of one of our evening undergraduate professors with the award.

Swain Family School of Mathematics and Science Outstanding Graduate Student

Maria Marquez-Garcia