Photo: Gen. Walters, USMC (Ret.), ’79, president of The Citadel, with the South Carolina Corps of Cadets during the Homecoming Review parade in 2019

Day of the Dead celebration

Friday, Oct. 29 – Friday, Nov. 5
Daniel Library
Free, open to the public

Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is a holiday celebrated in Latin America, when people honor their loved ones who have passed on.

The solemn celebration of life and death is held annually on campus by the Department of History, in the Daniel Library.

A traditional “Dia de los Muertos” altar will be on display in Daniel Library from Friday, Oct. 29 – Friday, Nov. 5. Photos provided by members of the Corps of Cadets, students, faculty and staff will be included on the alter to memorialize their loved ones.

Cadets and the Witting Tree

Monday, Nov. 1 – Thursday, Nov. 11
Outside Summerall Chapel
Free, open to the public

Throughout the first 11 days of November, cadets from Lutheran Campus Ministry will hang 242 blank dog tags on the tree next to Summerall Chapel.

The cadets will hang 22 of the dog tags each day on the Witting Tree. The purpose of that number is to raise awareness that an average of 22 veterans commit suicide daily in the U.S.

This is the third year that the Chapel and members of the Corps of Cadets have participated in the national veteran suicide awareness program.

At 12 p.m. on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, the Chapel will hold a brief blessing ceremony. Veteran cadets attending will be invited to remove the dog tags from the tree on that day.

Citadel nursing students hold blood pressure screening

Tuesday, Nov. 2
5 – 7 p.m.
In front of Coward Hall, The Citadel campus
Free, open to the public

Evening undergraduate nursing students from The Citadel’s Swain Department of Nursing will be using their educations to help members of the local community on Tuesday, Nov. 2.

High blood pressure, a known contributor to heart disease and stroke, led to the death of more than a half million Americans in 2019. According to the CDC, South Carolina has been identified as one of the top ten states for high blood pressure.

That’s why the nursing students will hold a blood pressure screening, from 5 – 7 p.m. in front of Coward Hall, to identify each individual’s risk factors for high blood pressure, check their blood pressure and provide education on high blood pressure prevention.  

Blood pressure screenings, early identification and intervention, and lifestyle modifications can increase health and longevity. 

Cadets’ works of art on display in Daniel Library

Friday, Nov. 5
Daniel Library, The Citadel campus
Free, open to the public

Beginning on Friday, Nov. 5, art created by sophomore cadets enrolled in The Citadel’s “Literature of War” class will be on display in Daniel Library.

The exhibit will feature around 25 pieces, collected over the last two semesters, inspired by America’s military engagements — from World War I through the Global War of Terror.

The “Literature of War” course centers on mostly veteran-written fiction and journalism, and it covers themes from combat training to PTSD. In addition to writing two formal papers, the class asks students to artistically express a moment in the reading that connects with them.

The Citadel Commandant publishes book on leadership

Wednesday, Nov. 10

A new leader at The Citadel will release a book on leadership and character development on Wednesday, Nov. 10.

Drawing from 30 years of experience leading Marines, The Citadel Commandant of Cadets Col. Thomas Gordon, USMC (Ret.), ’91, wrote Marine Maxims: Turning Leadership Principles into Practice.

The book is a collection of 50 principle-based leadership lessons that Gordon acquired throughout his career, meant to provide future leaders with a professional development plan.

The book will be available at The Citadel Bookstore, Amazon and other retailers.

Baker Business Bowl VIII: Elevator Pitch round

Thursday, Nov. 11
3 p.m.
Bastin Hall Room 105, streamed via Zoom
Free, open to the public

Ten teams — made up of Citadel cadets and students — will compete for a place in the finals of the Baker Business Bowl VIII. To get into the finals, those teams must make it through the Elevator Pitch round, which will be held on Thursday, Nov. 11, starting at 3 p.m.

This semi-final round consists of a five-minute summary presentation, where teams explain their potential business ideas to a panel of business experts. After the brief presentation, the judges will hold a ten-minute question and answer session with each team.

The teams competing in the semi-final round are:

• ACE Aeronautical Engineering Consulting
• American Drone Delivery
• Colonic Tattoo
• HWB Creations
• Mercurial Fitness – Fitness for Sickness
• Re-Store Medical Equipment
• Ryde
• The Auditory Assistant
• Trident Jet Nozzle
• Wound Closure

The top teams will move on to the final round, which will be held in February 2022. The final winning team will earn $10,000 to invest in their proposed business.

The Baker Business Bowl is a program aimed at helping budding entrepreneurs who have an idea for a new product or service, and the desire to turn that idea into a business. It’s open to cadets, evening undergraduate students, and graduate students.

Homecoming 2021

Friday, Nov. 12 – Sunday, Nov. 14
Various times
The Citadel campus
Many events are free and open to the public

Homecoming 2021, honoring the classes that end in ‘1 and ‘6, will be held on Friday, Nov. 12 – Sunday, Nov. 14.

The weekend welcoming graduates of The Citadel back to their alma mater is one of the biggest events of the year on campus.

Notable events include: an open house of Bastin Hall for donors and alumni, the Twilight Parade and Homecoming Review parade on Summerall Field, open barracks for parents and guests, a performance by the Summerall Guard and Bulldogs football versus Wofford.

For a full schedule of events, click here.

The Citadel hosts National Collegiate Rugby tournament games

Friday, Nov. 19 – Sunday, Nov. 21
Various times
The Citadel campus
Free, open to the public

The Citadel will be one of six host locations for the National Collegiate Rugby Men’s Regional Championships over the weekend of November 19-21.

The quarterfinals for the south region of both the Men’s Division II and the Men’s Small College Cohen Cup and Challenge will be held on campus.

Formed in 2020, National Collegiate Rugby evolved from the National Small College Rugby Organization, which was founded in 2007. Originally created to support the growth and development of small college rugby, the organization now serves college rugby programs of all sizes.

2021 Candlelight Service

Friday, Dec. 3 – Sunday, Dec. 5
7:30 p.m.
Summerall Chapel
Free, open to the public

After a pause due to the pandemic, one of Charleston’s longest-running and most memorable holiday traditions will return. The Summerall Chapel’s 2021 Christmas Candlelight Services will be held on Friday, Dec. 3 – Sunday, Dec. 5. at 7:30 p.m. 

Cadets from the Corps, Praise Band, Catholic and Gospel Choirs, together with members of The Citadel Regimental Band will join together to provide the holiday celebration that members of The Citadel family look forward to each year.

As in the past poinsettias will be used to decorate the chapel; they may be purchased for $12 each, in honor of a loved one, and then picked up on Monday after the last service. To place an order, call Geri Jones, chapel administrative assistant, at 843-953-5049. The Chapel office must receive these requests no later than Friday, Nov. 19. 

Cookies, Cocoa and Coding

Saturday, Dec. 4
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Thompson Hall, The Citadel campus
Free, open to the public

The Citadel STEM Center of Excellence has a unique way to help get students into the Christmas spirit. It’s called “Cookies, Cocoa and Coding” and there are plenty of all three!

The event will be from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7 in Thompson Hall, on The Citadel’s campus.

Students and parents are invited to come to the event, which features coding tutorials and treats, including cookies, cocoa and coffee. Students will use code.org’s tutorials, in order to practice different concepts and skills within computer science.

The event is free and open to students from kindergarten to 12th grade.

To register, click here.

Events from The Citadel Athletics

Media should contact John Brush Assistant AD for Athletic Communications

The Citadel Wrestling vs. Queens

Wednesday, Nov. 3
7 p.m. (Doors open at 6 p.m.)
McAlister Field House
Free, open to the public

The Citadel Wrestling Bulldog Open Tournament

Saturday, Nov. 6
9 a.m. (Doors open at 8 a.m.)
McAlister Field House
Tickets starting at $10 for adults and $5 for children

The Citadel Basketball Home Opener & Veterans Day

Friday, Nov. 12
12 p.m. (Doors open at 11 a.m.)
McAlister Field House
Tickets starting at $12

Athletics would like to invite the retired veterans and active-duty military members of The Citadel community to be honored at our halftime ceremony celebrating Veterans Day. A limited number of free tickets will be provided through the Holy City Hero initiative for those participating in the halftime ceremony. If you are interested in participating, please contact sportmarketing@citadel.edu with your name, rank and branch.

The Citadel Football Homecoming 

Saturday, Nov. 13
2 p.m. (Main Gates open at 12:30 p.m.)
Johnson Hagood Stadium
Tickets starting at $17

The Citadel Basketball vs. Carver College

Thursday, Nov. 18
7 p.m. (Doors open at 6 p.m.)
McAlister Field House
Tickets starting at $12

Athletics will be collecting canned food at the doors to help the Charleston Community. Fans can also drop off items at the McAlister Field House Ticket Office the week leading up to the game.