The Citadel honors some of its best and brightest with more than 50 awards, celebrating achievements in academics, leadership and service

One of the first major events during the commencement season at The Citadel is the annual awards convocation for the South Carolina Corps of Cadets.

On Thursday, May 5, the annual awards were presented to cadets and active duty students in recognition of their outstanding accomplishments.

The 2022 award recipients include:

Air Force ROTC Award for Academic Excellence

Presented to the commissioning senior who achieved the highest cumulative grade point average in all his or her academic coursework at The Citadel.

Jack Schwartz

Lt Gen John W. Rosa Award

Presented to a senior cadet who best exemplifies the Air Force core values of integrity, service and, excellence and who embodies the fighting spirit of the indomitable warrior-airman.

Lane Johnson

American Legion College Award

Presented to a senior cadet who has demonstrated the qualities of military leadership, discipline and citizenship. Key attributes of those chosen are service to others, dedication to values and honor to self and the country.

Grant Speer

Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States Award

Presented to a senior cadet who best exemplifies the finest traditions of The Citadel and best represents the college’s mission.

Aaron Daninger

Athletic Officer of the Year Award

Presented to the athletic officer who, in the opinion of fellow athletic officers, demonstrates outstanding leadership in the administration of unit athletics.

James Heustess

Intramural Athlete of the Year Award

Presented to cadets who have shown outstanding performance in intramural competition demonstrating athleticism, sportsmanship and competitive spirit. Battalion and company athletic officers nominate the recipients each year.

Male: Luke Meetze
Female: Merritt Reeves

Board of Visitors Trophy

Awarded annually to the cadet company that excels in physical effectiveness, one of the four pillars of the college.

Foxtrot Company

Club Sport Captain of the Year

Presented to the club sport captain who has provided exemplary leadership both on and off the playing field. Club sports captains, along with battalion and company athletic officers, nominate the recipient each year.

William Gibson

The Brigadier Foundation President’s Award

Presented to a senior athlete who has contributed the most to The Citadel’s athletic program and the Corps of Cadets. Members of the graduating class vote for the award recipient each year.

Mya Dollard

Col. Floyd W. Brown Jr. Memorial Award

Presented annually to a senior cadet who has contributed to the success of cadet life and best exhibits the highest degree of customs and courtesies of a cadet, citizen and soldier.

Garrett Drew

Society of the Cincinnati Award

Presented annually to the cadet officer of the graduating class who has exemplified, to the highest degree, the best qualities of soldier and citizen which are characteristic of the patriots who fought to obtain American’s freedom and which the society is pledged to perpetuate.

Garett Summers

Mark W. Clark Honor Committee Award for Exemplary Service

Presented to a member of The Honor Committee judged to have made the greatest contribution to the honor system throughout the school year.

Rivers Benton

Walter B. Clark Award

Presented to the cadet who achieves the highest overall standing at the Army ROTC advanced camp. Members of The Citadel’s Army ROTC instructor group established the award in 1977 to honor Col. Walter Ballard Clark’s service in the military and at The Citadel. Clark, Citadel Class of 1951, was a professor of military science and commandant of cadets from 1974 to 1977.

Michael Dulin

Congressional Medal of Honor Society Award

Presented annually to the graduating senior cadet considered the most outstanding in the performance of cadet and military activities who will be commissioned into the armed forces.

Jaret Price

Lt. Col. Harvey M. Dick Official United States Army Sword

Presented annually by the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution to the most outstanding cadet being commissioned in the U.S. Army. The sword is awarded in recognition of the superior academic and leadership skills that the recipient has demonstrated during four years as a cadet.

Alec Hart

Todd L. Dorney Award

Presented annually in memory of Army Lt. Todd L. Dorney, a 1980 Citadel graduate. The sword goes to a senior under Army ROTC contract who ranks in the top 10 percent of his or her class.

Ethan Taddy

Maj. Gen. James Grimsley Leadership Sword

Presented to the top junior ROTC cadet who performed the highest among their peers in academics while demonstrating superb physical fitness and outstanding training proficiency within the Palmetto Battalion.

Wilhelm Birkholz

William Porcher Dubose Award

Presented annually by the General Organization of the United Daughters of the Confederacy to the first-honor graduate in memory of Cadet Dubose, a citizen soldier, first-honor graduate and ranking cadet in the Class of 1855.

Ashley Ruiz and Steven Jones

Capt. Ryan Hall Leadership Sword

Presented annually to the rising senior Air Force contract cadet who has excelled in academics and leadership. The recipient exemplifies the values and attributes of Hall, which include integrity, loyalty, strength of character, honor, dedication, leadership and service before self. Hall, Citadel Class of 2004, was killed Feb. 18, 2012 while in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The sword will be carried throughout the cadet’s senior year, until it is again passed on to another deserving Air Force cadet.

Arista Couture

Wade Hampton Saber

Presented annually by the South Carolina Division of the United Daughters of the Confederacy to a senior cadet who demonstrates outstanding leadership and made the greatest contribution to The Citadel while a cadet.

Kathryn Christmas

Commandant’s Leadership Excellence Award

Presented to a senior cadet for exceptional leadership with the largest impact on the Corps of Cadets. The recipient of this award embodies leadership by example in the barracks, across campus and in the classroom.

Garett Graettinger

Carlisle Norwood Hastie Award

Presented annually to the graduating senior cadet who was selected by classmates as showing the most tact, consideration and courtesy to fellow cadets.

Grant Speer

Hemingway Award

Presented to the senior who throughout his or her cadet career made the greatest contribution as a Christian cadet on the athletic field and to the spiritual life of the Corps of Cadets. It is named for Marine Corps Lt. Col. Thomas E. Hemingway, Citadel Class of 1960.

Brian Horn

Lt. Col. Leigh Hochreich Memorial Fund Award

Presented annually to a senior who best displays strong character, patriotism, love of fellow man, loyalty and devotion to The Citadel.

Joshua Babcock

Maj. William Marks Hutson Award

Presented annually at The Citadel to a junior cadet selected for outstanding leadership ability, academic standing and devotion to duty. The award is presented in memory of Maj. William M. Hutson, U.S. Air Force and Citadel Class of 1939, who was killed in service in World War II.

Thomas Blake Giles

Brig. Gen. James E. Mace Leadership Award

Presented annually to a senior cadet who will commission in the military and demonstrates outstanding leadership in the day-to-day running of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets. The cadet must exhibit unwavering love for The Citadel along with the leadership traits of honor, self-discipline, courage, patriotism, high moral standards and service to fellow cadets. The award is named after a former commandant of cadets and 1963 Citadel graduate.

Grayson Gasque

Lt. Dan Malcom Jr. Memorial Sword

Recognizes a cadet for leadership and dedication while a member of The Citadel Naval ROTC. The sword is presented in memory of 1st Lt. Dan Malcom Jr., Class of 2001, who was killed in 2004 in Iraq.

Jeremy Walker

D.S. McAlister Cadet Activities Award

Presented annually to the senior cadet who has made the greatest contribution to the Department of Cadet Activities.

Aidan Brady

General Douglas MacArthur Cadet of the Year Award

Presented annually to the most outstanding cadets from the 12 colleges and universities comprising the Association of Military Colleges and Schools by the General Douglas MacArthur Foundation.

Jeremy Walker

Cadet Medal of Merit Award

Presented by the adjutant general of South Carolina to an outstanding senior cadet who exemplifies the traits of leadership, scholastic achievement, conduct and participation in cadet and college activities.

Angelea Lance

Military Order of Foreign Wars of the U.S. Gen. Charles P. Summerall Award

Presented to a senior cadet scheduled for commissioning in the military who has excelled in the ROTC program, leadership and the study of military history.

Collin Gleco

Robert G. Miller Memorial Sword

Presented to a graduating Navy midshipman or officer candidate who has excelled in a Navy Battalion leadership position, devoted his or her life to public service and is in the top 25 percent of his or her graduating class.

Grayson Gasque

Capt. H. Carl Josephson Sword

Presented by the Charleston Council of the Navy League to the most outstanding cadet being commissioned in the U.S. Navy. The sword is awarded in recognition of superior academic and leadership skills demonstrated during four years as a Citadel cadet.

OC Kyle Smith

Brig. Gen. William Lee Smith Sword

Presented by the Charleston Council of the Navy League to the most outstanding cadet being commissioned in the U.S. Marine Corps. The sword recognizes superior academic and leadership skills demonstrated during four years at The Citadel.

Jayden Bossian

Naval Submarine League Award

Presented to the Navy ROTC cadet who excelled in academics and military performance and who is also the number one student who was selected to serve in the submarine community as a Naval officer.

OC Sarah Ervin

South Carolina Society of the Order of Founders and Patriots Award

Presented to the cadet who has best shown, through his or her superior historical scholarship, an exceptional understanding of and respect for the sacrifices of our founding forefathers and revolutionary patriots.

Alexander Clark

Col. Joseph E. Perkins Honor Committee Award

Presented annually to a member of the Honor Committee in recognition of invaluable service to the Corps of Cadets by upholding and promoting the high ideals of The Citadel honor system.

Pablo Orozco

Ruben B. Pitts III Memorial Award

Given in memory of Cadet Reuben B. Pitts III, Class of 1963, to the junior cadet selected by his or her classmates as showing the greatest concern for the well-being of others.

Logan Redding

Society of the Daughters of the American Colonists Silver Bowl Award

Presented to the graduating cadet who has contributed to the idea of teamwork, morale, and service to others at The Citadel and in the community.

Robert Clement

Henry Dale Smith Public Speaking Award

Presented to the winner of the annual cadet public speaking competition sponsored by The Citadel Oral Communications Lab. The award is named in honor of Smith, a 1947 graduate of The Citadel and chairperson emeritus of H.D. Smith & Co., one of the largest drug wholesale companies in the country.

John Acker

Special Forces Association Award of Excellence

Presented to a contracted freshman or sophomore cadet in one of the ROTC departments who displays scholastic excellence, military proficiency, leadership qualities and dedication to mission.

Vincent Massaro

Star of the West Medal

Presented to the best drilled cadet in the Corps of Cadets. The award has been presented since 1886.

Sam Wilson

Widder Award

Recognizes the distinguished military student in the Army ROTC who has best exhibited the qualities of devotion to duty, exemplary conduct, military and academic excellence and unquestionable character. The award is presented annually in memory of Capt. David Widder, a 1959 Citadel graduate who was killed in Vietnam while serving in the Army.

Hunter Congdon

William G. Willard Jr. Award

Presented to a junior cadet selected by the senior cadet leadership for exemplifying the qualities of integrity, devotion to duty and service to The Citadel.

Thomas Blake Giles

Lila K. Whetstone Women in Leadership Excellence Award

Recognizes a young junior woman in the Corps of Cadets who excels in academics in fitness, serves the Corps of Cadets with courage and humility, is dedicated to helping others through community involvement and is actively engaged in the training and development of her fellow cadets.

Elissa Reckdenwald

Undergraduate of the Year Award

Presented to graduating seniors selected by the business administration faculty as the most outstanding majors in the school.

Rivers Benton

Col Charles E. Hirshey Award

Recognizes the most outstanding graduate in teacher education. The award is named for Col. Charles Hirshey, Ph.D., who served as head of The Citadel’s Department of Education from 1969 to 1979. He was a pioneer in education in the Lowcountry and a founding member of the current Citadel Graduate College.

William Smith

Col. Louis Shephard LeTellier Award

Presented to the member of the graduating class attaining the highest academic grade point ratio in civil engineering. This year there are three recipients.

William Metts, Pei Hsuan Lu and James Gillam

Peter Gaillard Memorial Award

Recognizes an exceptional electrical and computer engineering senior cadet based on scholastic attainment, leadership and participation in extracurricular activities. The award is presented in memory of an outstanding 1948 graduate of The Citadel’s electrical engineering department.

Eric Skinner

Leidos Courage Award

Presented to an upperclassman in the college’s National Security and Intelligence Program who demonstrates an act of courage, exhibits The Citadel’s core values, embodies the values and ethical character of a principled leader, exemplifies service before self in actions and deeds and serves as a role model in his or her academic and personal endeavors.

Ashley Ruiz

Francis Marion Cup

Presented to a graduating senior cadet who has done exemplary academic work in American history courses. The Rebecca Matte Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution sponsors the award.

Benjamin Stephens

Joseph P. Riley Jr. Award

Presented to the graduating senior in the school of humanities and social sciences who best represents the commitment to academic excellence, the breadth of intellectual interests and the dedication to public service exemplified by the life and career of Joseph P. Riley Jr. Riley is a Citadel Class of 1964 graduate, 1968-1974 state legislator, 1975-2016 mayor of Charleston and current endowed chair of American government and public policy professor at The Citadel.

Keyshawn Gascey

Swain Family School of Science and Mathematics Outstanding Student Award

Recognizes the superior academic achievement by an undergraduate student majoring in one of the disciplines housed in Swain Family School of Science and Mathematics.

Shiloh Smiles

Dr. Francis Eugene Zemp Award

Presented to the senior cadet in the field of pre-med with the highest academic average.

Akhil Prathipati

Honorable Falcon Black Hawkins Jr. Award

Recognizes the veteran student at The Citadel who, like Falcon Black Hawkins Jr., demonstrated patience, wisdom, humility, academic achievement, servant leadership and sound judgment while always setting an example as a person of integrity. Hawkins, Citadel Class of 1958, was a dedicated U.S. district court judge for South Carolina and served as chief judge from 1990 to 1993.

David Adams

Golden Microphone Award

A special award presented to a cadet who worked as a narrator for dozens of parades and events throughout their time as a member of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets.

Shiloh Smiles