“He is not only a Citadel treasure — he is a national treasure.”

It’s not every day that someone gets to see the tangible proof of the impact they’ve made in their careers.

And that is what made Oct. 5, 2024, all the more special for one of The Citadel’s former presidents, Maj. Gen. John Grinalds, USMC (Ret.).

On Saturday, the college officially unveiled a bust of its 18th president, which will greet the hundreds of cadets, students, faculty, staff and visitors who enter the front doors of the new Capers Hall.

Responding to the unveiling and presentation of the bust, Grinalds commented, “The work encapsulates the superb history and traditions of The Citadel with the deep appreciation I hold for all the cadet and graduate students, alumni, and faculty and staff with whom I served during my tenure as President. I am most grateful for this great privilege of service the Board of Visitors afforded me at the time, and a gracious God who saw me through.”

This comes nearly 20 years after Grinalds retired as president, a role he held from 1997-2005.

“His vision and leadership saw the college through the turn of the century, the attacks on September 11th, the first class of females in the Corps, the demolition of the original Padgett-Thomas Barracks as well as the construction of the new barracks, and so much more,” said The Citadel’s current president, Gen. Glenn Walters, USMC (Ret.), ’79, during the ceremony.

Now, the college will always have a reminder of its 18th president, who saw The Citadel through some of its most tumultuous times.

Despite that, what stands out to those who knew him as president was his ability to connect with everyone on campus.

“I talked to a bunch of my classmates, and the universal story that came up was the thing that most impressed me 26 years ago,” said Dylan Goff, ’02, a current member and former chair of the Board of Visitors. “When this man met you one time – you might be in a PT uniform, you might not have your name tag here on your left breast – he knew your name. Twenty-one hundred, give or take, cadets — he knew your first name, he knew your last name, he knew where you were from and he knew something about you.”

The bust of Grinalds was crafted by Richard Pumphrey, a sculptor and educator who recently retired from teaching at the University of Lynchburg.

Grinalds graduated with honors from West Point in 1959 and was among the first cadets since the early 1800s to be commissioned directly into the U.S. Marine Corps. He continued his education as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University, earning a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Geography and graduating with honors. At Harvard University, he earned a Master’s degree in Business Administration, graduating with distinction.

He served abroad in the Mediterranean region, the Panama Canal Zone, Japan, Belgium, and for two tours of duty in Vietnam. He was awarded a Silver Star for heroism in combat. In Belgium, he was the Special Assistant to the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe working on negotiations between NATO and the French Military. His outstanding service was recognized by French President, François Mitterand, who inducted him into the Legion d’Honneur.

In 1989, Grinalds was promoted to Commanding General of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, a position held until his retirement. In 1991, he became the Headmaster of Woodberry Forest School in Woodberry Forest, Virginia. In 1997, he accepted the position of President of The Citadel.