President's Office

During my first month as president, I have been trying to understand the dynamics of The Citadel. After reviewing massive amounts of information and listening to dozens of people, my initial assessment is that much of what we are doing is very good. This is a great place and a good time to be here.

When I met with the Corps and later the faculty and staff, I told them about Donna and me and then cited three requirements I have of everyone: they must be people of integrity, they must show respect for one another and they should accept responsibility for their actions.

I told them that in return, they can expect me to demonstrate integrity, to be fair in my actions and to make the tough decisions necessary for the good of the college.

With many things going well, it would be easy to become complacent. But if an institution becomes too content, it will soon be left behind by others that continue to improve.

In looking ahead, we must focus on our mission – educating principled leaders – so that every action we take contributes in some way to this mission. We must further define what qualities a principled leader possesses and develop processes that foster principled leadership in every cadet, not just those who seek leadership opportunities.

Never has the need for principled leaders been greater. For that reason, we must ensure that The Citadel remains a relevant force in the 21st century. Building on our strengths while preserving our important traditions will require the dedication and support of all Citadel constituents. I welcome your interest and ideas as we face the future.