One hundred years ago on Sept. 20, 1922, The Citadel made history as cadets gathered to begin the academic year on the new campus parade ground. With the United States flag flying in the late-summer day, a 21-gun salute was fired to mark the occasion.
The day was several years in the making. With 325 members, the Corps had reached its capacity at Marion Square. The original two-story building had grown to four stories and two wings. Still, there was not enough room to house and educate the Corps, and drill was being conducted on a public greenspace now being used by pedestrians as a thoroughfare.
Col. Oliver J. Bond, an 1886 alumnus and the president of the college from 1908 to 1931, knew that the time to move had come. Through his vision and leadership, and through the tireless efforts of board members and graduates, city officials and members of the General Assembly, The Citadel heralded a new era. Today, as the college continues to expand and progress, we pay tribute to their efforts as we celebrate our centennial anniversary on the banks of the Ashley River.
| 1922 | The Greater Citadel ushers in a new era The battalion of cadets, 317 strong, assembles for the first time on the new parade ground at noon on Sept. 20. Following the hoisting of the flag, an artillery squad fires a 21-gun salute. |
| 1927 | Bulldogs get a new home The Citadel Bulldogs, who previously played football in Hampton Park, move to the new Johnson Hagood Stadium. |
| 1931 | Gen. Charles P. Summerall becomes the 10th president From 1931 to 1953, Summerall’s belt-tightening policies help the college survive and thrive through the Great Depression and World War II. |
| 1935 | FDR visits President Franklin D. Roosevelt becomes the first sitting U.S. president to visit The Citadel. Other presidents who visit include President Ronald Reagan, the 1993 commencement speaker, and President George W. Bush, who delivers a post-9/11 speech in 2001. |
| 1944 | The Class that Never Was goes to war Despite a formal objection by Summerall, who felt that cadets would make better soldiers after they finished their military education, the Class of 1944 is drafted during its junior year to serve in World War II. |
| 1945 | Veteran students admitted The Board of Visitors passes a resolution to accept as students the veterans referred to The Citadel by the Veterans Administration under the provisions of the GI Bill. |
| 1954 | Gen. Mark W. Clark becomes the 11th president Under the leadership of the World War II hero, the current honor system is implemented. Clark, whose papers are the basis for The Citadel Archives, is buried on campus. Thomas Dry Howie Memorial Carillon and Tower erected Featuring one of the largest Dutch bell installations in the Western Hemisphere, the carillon and tower are constructed with funds donated by Charles E. Daniel, Class of 1918, and R. Hugh Daniel, Class of 1929, in tribute to their friend, Maj. Thomas Dry Howie, Class of 1929. Greater Issues series begins Made possible by a grant from the Mills B. Lane Foundation, the series brings heads of state, scholars, diplomats, and distinguished leaders to The Citadel. Some of the renowned guest speakers are Henry Kissinger, Pat Buchannan and Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. |
| 1955 | Regimental Pipe Band formed The Regimental Band and Pipes wows crowds nationally and internationally with performances at the Royal Edinburgh Tattoo in Scotland, Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans and even U.S. presidential events. |
| 1961 | The Citadel Development Foundation established The precursor to The Citadel Foundation is created to establish an endowment for academic enrichment. Today, TCF manages endowed funds in excess of $285 million as part of the college’s total endowment of more than $450 million. |
| 1966 | First African American cadet enters the Corps Charles Foster becomes the first African American cadet. Joseph Shine, the college’s second African American cadet, arrives in 1967. Nine more African American men join the Corps in 1969, including Norman Seabrooks, the first African American athlete. Evening College established The coeducational undergraduate Evening College, known today as the Evening Undergraduate Studies program within The Citadel Graduate College, is founded. Two years later, the first graduate classes are offered. |
| 1980 | Maj. Gen. James Grimsley, ’42, named president During Grimsley’s 1981 inauguration, The Citadel tartan debuts. |
| 1989 | Lt. Gen. Claudius E. Watts III, ’58, becomes 17th president The Citadel completes its first comprehensive capital campaign under Watts, raising more than $28 million. Category 4 hurricane hits Charleston On Sept. 22, Hurricane Hugo makes landfall, inflicting more than $27 million in damage to the campus and the beach house. |
| 1994 |
First African American Regimental Commander Norman Doucet, the first African American regimental commander, graduates. |
| 1996 | Women join the Corps of Cadets Four women join the Corps of Cadets, and in 1997, Maj. Gen. John S. Grinalds becomes the 18th president. Nancy Mace becomes the first female graduate in 1999; the second, and the first to receive a military commission, Petra Lovetinska graduates in 2000. |
| 2002 | African American female cadets graduate A group of seven young women make history when they become the first African American women to graduate. |
| 2006 | Lt. Gen. John W. Rosa, ’73, becomes 19th president In his inaugural address, Rosa speaks about the importance of principled leadership as a quality of every graduating cadet. |
| 2017 | War Memorial dedicated during college’s 175th anniversary celebration A gift of members of the Class of 1967 and other generous donors, the memorial recognizes alumni who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Citadel graduates have served in every U.S. conflict since the Spanish American War. |
| 2018 | Gen. Glenn M. Walters, ’79, becomes president; Cadet Zorn makes history Walters returns to his alma mater after serving as assistant commandant of the Marine Corps. In Walters’ first year, Cadet Sarah Zorn becomes the first female regimental commander. |
| 2020 | Campus evacuates during COVID pandemic The Corps is dismissed in March for spring break just as the nation is shutting down for the pandemic. Classes transition to online learning, commencement exercises are held virtually, and the Corps returns in the fall. |
| 2022 | The Citadel marches on The 2021 addition of Bastin Hall to the campus landscape, courtesy of Rick, ’65, and Mary Lee Bastin, gives the Baker School of Business a new home, and with a replacement for Capers Hall targeted for completion in late 2023, the campus continues to modernize. |