As seen on WCBD-TV News2, by Diante Gibbs, Katie Augustine
Saturday (August 14) was Matriculation Day at The Citadel where around 700 new cadets moved in and are ready for the next four years of college.
Matriculation Day is a longstanding tradition at The Citadel, as it marks the beginning of freshmen year for newly admitted students – who are referred to as “knobs” says Regimental Commander Kathryn Christmas.
“Matriculation day is just a day to bring the freshmen in before the rest of the core to get them acclimated to the experience and environment,” Christmas adds.
Moving into the barracks and getting the appropriate haircut are just a few things for new students to check off their lists.
“We’re trying to make it as smooth as possible for the parents, but it’s gonna be a shock to the freshman,” says Colonel Tom Gordon, Commandant of Cadets.
After a few days of settling in, freshmen are met with a shocking feat, Challenge Week, in preparation for their first year at school. South Carolina colleges and universities to receive more than $520M in funding to offset pandemic woes
“It’s meant to shock the freshmen and challenge them mentally, physically, we do PT every morning. We shock them with new things every day,” says Christmas.
Citadel leaders prepared for months, putting the safety of students and staff first this year as COVID-19 cases rise across the country.
“When the upperclassmen come in, we’re going to ask the upperclassmen to either be vaccinated or to report with a negative covid test,” Gordon says.
Considering the widespread locations the new cadets are coming from, the Citadel encourages students to wear their masks and get vaccinated.
“About 55% are from South Carolina, we have 33 states represented and ten countries.”
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