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 1, more than 20 students and educators were recognized during the 2025 CGC Awards Ceremony in Capers Hall prior to the 2025 Commencement ceremonies.

Award recipients include:

Graduate Student Award for Academic Excellence and Leadership:

Dalton Hazelwood

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:

Natalie Mueller

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:

Joshua Wetmore

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. Timothy Mays

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. Simon Ghanat

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

Hirshey Awards

Katrina Driskell

Coletta Bethea

Kevin Peters

Christine Zamboki

Anna King

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

Julie Chave

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

Aysha Ballis

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

Michelle Johnson

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.

BG Michael B. Barrett, USAR, ‘68 Military History Graduate Student Award

John C. Matthews

The Online MA in Military History program offers the BG Michael B. Barrett, USAR, ’68, Military History Graduate Student Award for students engaged in archival or manuscript research for their thesis or capstone seminar projects. This award was made possible by the generosity of Dr. A.J. Cianflocco. 

MBA Student of the Year

Sophie Childs

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

Dr. 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

Tyler Christmas

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

Dr. Cynthia 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

Dalton Hazelwood

Ellie Belcher

Logan Bacsal

Department of Leadership Studies Lieutenant General John Rosa Award

Mikela Herring

Each year, the Department of Leadership Studies confers the Lieutenant General John W. Rosa Award upon the top-performing Master of Science in Leadership student.  This award recognizes outstanding academic achievement, student engagement and scholarly excellence in Leadership Studies.    

Master of Science in Engineering Student of the Year    

Elizabeth Miller

Col. Charles Lindbergh Award – Most Outstanding Student in the College Transfer Program in Civil/Construction Engineering

Natalie Mueller

Joshua Wetmore

Electrical Engineering Student of the Year 

Annastasha Wenzel

Computer Engineering Student of the Year 

Andrew Goossens

Department of Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Student of the Year  

Chance Weise

M.S. Project Management Outstanding Student of the Year 

Emily Danielsson