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MARK YOUR CALENDAR

MARCH 2012!14-16 ."Leadership Symposium! 17 ."SCCC Corps Day! 24 ."Spring Break Begins

"APRIL 2012! 1 ."Spring Break Ends! 8 ."Easter! 14 ."Recognition Day! 24 ."Classes End! 25 ."Final Exams

MAY 2012! 1 ."Semester Ends! 5 ."Commencement! 28 ."Memorial Day

AUGUST 2012" 11 ."Class of 2016 Reports" 19 ."Upper Classmen report" 22 ."Fa$ Semester Begins!

“Class of 2015, the Fourth Class System is no longer in effect.” These twelve words are what all Knobs have longed to hear since Matriculation Day. ‘Recognition Day’ marks the end of an extremely diff icult and chal lenging, yet extremely rewarding first year at the Citadel. After a year of difficultly and accomplishment, all Knobs will join together with their classmates to complete The Gauntlet on Saturday Apr i l 14th – a phys ica l l y and mentally demanding day which requires teamwork by all Knobs and their classmates, further developing pride, character bui lding and camaraderie with their classmates. A victory lap around campus will lead the Knobs back into their barracks where they will perform a ‘class set’ of pushups. “Home Sweet Home” will be bagpiped and then the long awaited announcement - “Attention to orders, Class of 2015: The Fourth Class System is nolonger in effect.” !

A tremendous roar o f c e l e b r a t i o n will rise over campus , a s cadre and upperclassmen extend their hands to the exhausted and ne wl y recognized cadets to help them to their feet, shake their hands and introduce themselves by the first name for the first time – and welcome them as upperclassmen and into the brotherhood and sisterhood of those select few who have completed the challenge of the “Knob year” at the Citadel. Following lunch, the final event of the day wi l l be the newl y recognized cadets marching through downtown Charleston to Marion Square to take the ‘Oath renewal on the Citadel green’, where they will renew their oath as members of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets.Recognition Day is an extremely important day in the life of a Cadet, and is a day that further

The Citadel Family Association

All  in  the  FamilySpring 2012 ♦ Charleston, SC

Recognition Day 2012Ted K. Austin, CFA Vice-Chair

tightens the lifelong bond that tie all C i tade l cadets and a lumni . Congratulations to all members of the class of 2015, and to all parents and families of the Class of 2015. We look forward to seeing you at Marion Square on the Citadel Green on April 14th!

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In 1829, construction began in Mar ion Square in downtown Charleston on an arsenal designed to house arms and ammunition. Federal troops from Fort Moultrie guarded the new state arsenal beginning in 1830 and in 1832 were replaced by state militia. During the next 10 years arsenals throughout the state of south Carolina were consolidated in Charleston and Columbia; south Carolina Governor John Richardson proposed converting both facilities into mi l i t a r y academies and on December 20, 1842, the South Carolina Legislature passed an Act " to conver t the Arsena l a t Columbia, and the citadel and magazine in and near Charleston, into Military Schools". The act read: ‘That the students when admitted, shall be formed into a military corps, and shall constitute the public guard of the Arsenal at Columbia, and of the Citadel and Ma gaz ine in and near

Charleston...to guard effectually, the public arms and other property at the places aforesaid...’ The first 20 cadets reported to the Citadel Academy at Marion Square in downtown Charleston on March 20, 1843 , a date now celebrated as "Corps Day" at The Citadel. Initially both schools operated as separate institutions governed by a common Board of Visitors, but in 1845 the Arsena l Academy in Columbia became an auxiliary to the Citadel Academy in Charleston; first year students attended the Arsenal then transferred to the Citadel Academy to complete their education. Both schools continued to operate during the Civil War but the Arsenal in Columbia was burned by Union Forces and ne ver reopened. The name of the college was officially changed in 1910 to "The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina". Corps Day is the celebration of

the birth of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets. Since the date that the first 20 cadets reported for duty, The Ci tade l ha s been graduating principled leaders who ha ve exper ienced the un ique “Whole Person” educat ion : educating the mind, body and spirit. Events of Corps Days weekend will include: Dress Parades on Friday and Saturday, barracks open to visitors, musical presentations, Summerall Guards performance, joint cutting of the Corp’s Birthday cake by the oldest Alumni and the youngest cadet , a Leadership Symposium which wil l expose s tudents f rom co l l eges and universities nationwide to the concept of Principled Leadership and the meaning of leadership, and other events and activities. Join the South Carolina Corps of Cadets during the weekend of Friday March 16th 2012, in the celebration of the 169th birthday of the Corps!

Corps Day: A Citadel TraditionHappy 169th Birthday to the South Carolina Corps of Cadets!

You’re invited... The Citadel Family AssociationANNUAL MEETING

March 16 ♦ 2PM ♦ Duckett Hall

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CORPS DAY SCHEDULEThe Citadel ♦ The Military Co$ege of South Carolina

THURSDAY, MARCH 15 AND FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2012 2012 Krause Leadership Symposium! AN ASSORTMENT OF IMMENSE TALENT AND ACCOMPLISHMENT WILL BE GATHERED TO SHARE ! WISDOM WITH THE CORPS OF CADETS AND CITADEL CONSTITUENCY.

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2012! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! 6:15PM ♦ Corps Birthday Celebration - Coward Hall! ! FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2012 3:45PM ♦ Parade - Summerall Field! WASHINGTON LIGHT INFANTRY REVIEW OF THE CORPS OF CADETS TO ! COMMEMORATE THE 169TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CORPS OF CADETS, ! AND TO RECOGNIZE THE GOLD CORPS ALUMNI. 8:00PM ♦ Corps Day Hop - Buyer Auditorium, Mark Clark Hall

SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 2012 8:00-1:00PM ♦ Sale of cadet and company photographs" - Reception Room, Mark Clark Hall 8:30-10:00AM ♦ Open barracks" - Pipe Band will perform in each barracks 9:00AM ♦ 2013 Summerall Guards performance " – Summerall Field 10:15AM ♦ “The Citadel Story” musical narration " - Summerall Field 11:00AM ♦ Parade, Palmetto Medals Presentation " - Summerall Field 12:30PM ♦ 2nd Annual Beautiful Bulldog Contest" - Johnson Hagood Stadium" " " 2:00PM ♦ Blue-White Spring Football Game " - Johnson Hagood Stadium

SUNDAY, MARCH 18, 2012 9:00AM ♦ Protestant Worship " - Summerall Chapel 11:00AM ♦ Episcopal Service ! – 70th Anniversary of St. Alban’s Chapel " - Summerall Chapel 12:00PM ♦ Lacrosse vs. North Georgia " - Johnson Hagood Stadium 7:00PM ♦ Roman Catholic Mass " - Summerall Chapel

Citadel Corps Day 2012 ♦ March 16-18 The 2012 Citadel Corps Day Schedule is subject to change. For the most accurate detailed schedule and additional information regarding the weekend, please visit:

www.citadel.edu/root/corps-day

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IMPORTANT:Balfour was on campus February 8th and 9th at The Citadel Alumni Center to size your cadet for their long awaited Citadel class ring. The manufacturing process will begin shortly thereafter and the rings will be ready for your child to try on and inspect before summer furlough. They will receive their rings at the Ring Ceremony during Parent’s Day this Fall. As part of The Citadel r ing t rad i t ion most families elect to also order a match ing Citadel miniature ring for cadet Moms. After all, you moms are a vital part of this challenging and r e w a r d i n g exper ience . Your cadet can also order your matching Citadel miniature during this time. You just need to

give them your finger size and they can order it with their “Band of Gold.” Balfour also offers other matching ring companion jewelry such as bracelets, pendants, etc. that reflect the pride you have in your cadet becoming a Citadel graduate.

All miniature rings and jewelry will have your cadet’s graduation date. Most cadets present their miniature r ings to the i r Moms and /or girlfriends (if serious) before the ring ceremony so that on the big day you both can wear your “Band of Gold” with pride!! No payment will be required to order. All rings and jewelry will be paid for through The Citadel Alumni Association next Fall when your

cadet becomes eligible for their ring. Pricing and further

information can be found on l ine a t

www.citadelalumni.org/ring.

Information Regarding the Citadel Class Ring

Visit Charleston!Book Now!

In addition to providing a beautiful background for your ch i ld ’s undergraduate career, Charleston is a popular tourist destination - and hotel vacancies tend to be scarce during peak tourist times! Book your hotels NOW for your Charleston and Citadel visits! Corps Day, Graduation, and Matriculation Day - don’t miss these special events and other once in a lifetime opportunities! For information about local hotel accommodations, visit:

www.charlestoncvb.com

Gilbert A. Pohl, ’76 - Chairman, CAA Ring Committee

Please be advised that the 2012 PGA Championship will be held on Kiawah Island during the week leading up and including Matriculation Day! Charleston hotels are already beginning to fill in anticipation for the event.

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Commencement WeekendMay 3-5, 2012

The 2012 Commencement Weekend Schedule is subject to change. For the most accurate detailed schedule and additional information regarding the weekend, please visit:

www.citadel.edu/root/graduation

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 201211:00AM ♦ Star of the West Finals - “Best Drilled Cadet” competition

- Summerall Field2:00PM ♦ Awards Convocation

- McAlister Field House4:30PM ♦ Baccalaureate Service and Carillon Concert for the Class of 2012

Speaker: Marine Col. Thomas S. Clark, professor and head of the Naval Science Department, The Citadel- Summerall Chapel

 FRIDAY, MAY 4, 20122:15PM ♦ 2012 Summerall Guards performance in honor of the Class of 2012

- Summerall Field3:00PM ♦ Graduation Parade (Long Gray Line)

- Summerall Field 4:00PM ♦ Garden Party - hosted by Lt. Gen. and Mrs. John W. Rosa for the Class of 2012 and guests

- Quarters One SATURDAY, MAY 5, 20129:00AM ♦ Corps of Cadets Commencement Exercises

- McAlister Field HouseAdmission: All guests, including babies and children, must have a ticket for admittance to the commencement service.Running Time: Approximately 3 hours.Suggested Dress: Business attire for attendees.Suggested Arrival: All guests are asked to be seated by 8:30 a.m. Doors will close at 8:50 a.m. for the processional. Doors will not reopen until after the National Anthem and Invocation.

Graduation: Congratulations, Class of 2012!COMMENCEMENT SCHEDULE

The Citadel ♦ The Military Co$ege of South Carolina

We began our Citadel journey when our oldest son, Russel l , matriculated in August of 2004. As we entered the campus on that Sunday, instead of Saturday morning due to a tropical storm, we met the "CFA Blue Sh i r t s . " As th i s emotional day progressed Rusty and I found ourselves more and more grateful for their gracious help and support. With no prior experiences or guidance from our peers, we were TOTALLY unaware of what to expect from this highly respected school. Without hearing alumni Citadel stories, nor receiving any special decoder for the college’s unique jargon (PT, bracing, ESP, Civies, Furlough, General Leave,

Mess Facts, Tours, etc...), we felt unnervingly disconnected. In the coming weeks Russell slowly began to share wi th us the unseen common langua ge among the cadets. What we also didn’t know at the time was that Russel l was e s tab l i sh ing a Parker f ami l y tradition. August 2006, our second son, Van, matriculated. Van’s time at The Citadel vicariously allowed us e ven more ins ight in to the transforming Citadel experience. A noteworthy memory was the great value cadets placed upon their

general leave. We discovered that The Citadel provided more blood to the Red Cross than any other college in the Lowcountry. Were the cadets noble and generous? - Without a doubt. Did they earn extra leave through the process? Absolutely! Van would give blood as often as possible through this fortuitous exchange! August 2009, our youngest son, Andrew, entered the gates of the Citadel. As with the other two matriculation days, the CFA Blue Shirts were amassed and poised to help new Citadel families through the day. With this our third boy now at The Citadel, much of the worry was gone, but the learning experience was far from over. For

the f i r s t t ime we dec ided to schedule away from work to travel down to The Citadel to observe Andrew’s Recognition Day. We will never forget hearing, "The fourth class system is no longer in effect!" It was a proud moment among many, as parents of one graduate, one Senior member of the Corps, and one successful freshman. During the spring of 2009, Rusty and I agreed to become more formally involved in The CFA, and were a sked to become the organizat ion’s next Volunteer Coordinators. In this role we were

responsible for assigning volunteers into various jobs for Matriculation Day – the CFA’s most important event. We were humbled to see how many of the CFA members were willing to volunteer their time to help welcome new families to the Citadel. With that said, I want to take a moment to extend a huge “thank you” to the many wonderful CFA volunteers whose efforts played such an important role during the 2009, 2010 and 2011 Matriculation Days. Through this extended Citadel journey we have witnessed the bonds of friendship amongst the cadets that we know will never be broken. We have found that not only do the cadets enjoy bonds of

friendship, but we as parents have also been blessed to have made friendships that will continue long after our boys have graduated and moved forward in their professional lives. Through the many years from 2004 until now, Rusty and I have experienced both joyous and tragic times with our “Citadel family”. In the fall of Russell’s sophomore year three of his Citadel friends were killed in an automobile accident. Even amidst the despair and turmoil o f the memor ia l se r v ices we attended, the “Citadel family” came together with tender support and

Reflections from a Citadel Mom and DadRusty and Sherri Parker, Citadel Parents

...continued on next page.

love, underlining the extended bonds forged both inside and outs ide The Ci tade l s ga tes . Reflecting upon our cherished memories, I relive the happy times shared wi th Ci tade l f r i ends including company parties, dinners, weddings, and even seeing friends become grandparents for the first time. With the parents of other members of the Class of 2012, our Citadel journey is quickly coming to an end. Andrew will become a member of the long gray line on May 4th and on May 5 the following day will receive his Citadel diploma. As with tradition, Andrew will turn

his Citadel r ing outward in a symbolic gesture signifying his readiness to face the world as a new member of The Citadel’s proud alumni. (Yes, I am already crying now as I think about it!) Rusty and I will forever cherish the many memories: the parades, Parent's weekends, Corps Days, Recognition days, long gray lines, Ring ceremonies, and of course, graduation. We will also hold dearly our visits to Charleston and times spent with friends. Our Citadel experience has become a core part of our parenting journey, and will continue to guide our boys’ futures, and in turn the future of our family.

We are so proud of our boys and for the young men they have become:

• Russe l l (Bra vo, 2008 ) - received a Civil Engineering degree and is a civil engineer with Armstrong Glen, P.C. in Charlotte, NC.

• Van (Delta, 2010) - received a Business Degree and is a deputy with Greenvil le County Sheriff 's office

• Andrew (Bravo, 2012) is scheduled to receive his HESS degree on May 5, 2012

With love and affection, Rusty and Sherri ParkerCFA Volunteer Chairs (2009-2011)

We Want You! CFA Volunteers 2012 As we all have experienced “Knob Year” either as a cadet, as a mother or father of a cadet, or as a family member of a cadet, we all know and very much appreciate the difficulties the ‘Knob Year’ brings to cadets and to the i r f ami l ie s , emot iona l l y, physically, logistically, etc. While Matriculation Day was a blur of events and emotions for you, you may remember the army of ‘Blue shirts’ waiting to welcome and assist you on Matriculation Day, to help things go smoothly for you and for your cadet and to provide you with contact information so that you would have someone to reach out to and contact when there were issues, questions, or tears. As parents and family members of cadets, we all are members of the Citadel Family Association. As members, we also have the chance to be of service to the Citadel Family Association, The Citadel, and to the

cadets and families of the incoming class of 2016. There are many opportunities available for volunteers, from Area Leaders located throughout the Uni ted Sta tes , Bat ta l ion and Company Representatives who have direct contact with the families of new cadets, Board of Directors positions, as well as the challenging and fulfil ling Matriculation Day activities. Volunteering for The Citadel Family Association is a wonderful opportunity for ‘paying it forward’. If through your experiences you believe that you can he lp or share encouraging words with families who will just be beginning their journey, please contact any of the CFA Board of Directors and discuss how you would like to be involved, or visit the CFA website at:

www.citadel.edu/cfa.

CFA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2011-2012

CHAIRMANGreg and Jacque Bear

bear.cfa@gmail.com843.261.9400

VICE-CHAIRMANTed Austin

austint@charleston-sc.gov843.209.3979

SECRETARYJoe and Patti Wilkes, ’74

803.635.9865803.635.8471

CFA LIAISON OFFICERShamus Gillen

843.953.4830

Throughout the Fall 2011 semester, the men and women of Oscar company set out to give back to the Charleston area community. The Cadets decided to partner with MUSC and the local Charleston Area Foster Children to sponsor a

foster child for the December holiday season. The Oscar company’s contribution, along with MUSC, totaled $400 for a total of 4 children that we were able to help.

Cadets Helping the Charleston Community