The Citadel Alumni Association

Norman R. Seabrooks, '73, received an MUSC Black History Intercollegiate Consortium MLK Humanitarian Award as part of their 35th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Commemorative Celebration.

Capt Dillon A. Ortiz, USMC, '20, escorted First Lady Melania Trump at the Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C., on January 20.

Happy Birthday to former Charleston Mayor and Member of The Citadel Class of 1964, The Honorable Joseph P. Riley, Jr.

On January 13, Jeffrey J. Cunningham, Jr., ’04, launched the law firm, Cohen Vaughan LLP, as a founding partner with 75 lawyers in seven states focusing on commercial litigation and trial work. He is also co-chair of the professional liability practice group and the firm’s general counsel.

A Life Membership in The Citadel Alumni Association is a great graduation gift for your current cadet, available at the discounted price of $400.00 until your cadet's commencement day. The membership must be paid in full by that day.

We'll be placing our first order next week. Sign your cadet up today so they are included and their membership items are certain to be ready for pick up before Commencement.

To purchase visit https://citadelalumni.org/product/life-membership-current-student-paid-in-full.

January 16, 2025

The Citadel Alumni Association Distinguished Alumnus Highlight

LTG W. Michael Steele, USA, Ret., '67

A combat veteran of Vietnam with the U.S. Army's elite Rangers, Steele's major commands included the US Army, Pacific, the Combined Arms Center, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment and the 82d Airborne Division. Steele served as commandant of the US Army Command and Staff College from 1998 to 2001.

Steele's military awards include the Army Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Silver Star, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters and the Bronze Star.

Steele completed a distinguished 34-year military career in 2001.

Upon retirement from the Army, Steele held senior executive positions in the defense industry and is founded Osprey Bay, LLC, a defense services company.

Steele has served as chairman of The Citadel Board of Visitors.

To learn more about The Citadel Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni List, visit citadelalumni.org/news-stories/distinguished-alumni.

January 15, 2025

The Eye of the World, the first book in The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan, aka James Rigney, Jr., '74, was published on January 15, 1990.

Frederick Wesner was born on January 14, 1788.

"Prominent Charleston architect Frederick Wesner designed the building that was to become known as the Citadel, but it was not until 1829 that the structure was erected on the square. Wesner’s design, a two story Romanesque structure, incorporated an interior courtyard with Doric columns and Roman arches. It is speculated that Wesner’s design was inspired by the Jacques-Louis David painting, The Oath of the Horatii." citadel.edu/citadel-history/brief-history

The Citadel Regimental Band and Pipes, along with the Summerall Guards and Color Guard, have been selected to march in the upcoming presidential inaugural parade. The Citadel’s participation reflects the institution’s commitment to excellence and its storied history representing South Carolina and the nation on a global stage. read more here: https://bit.ly/4jcDSzd

Today we remember Arland Williams, '57, who was a passenger aboard Air Florida Flight 90, which crashed on take-off in Washington, D.C., on January 13, 1982, killing 74 people. Williams helped the five other survivors escape before he drowned in the icy waters of the Potomac.

From Time Magazine, by Roger Rosenblatt, January 25, 1982, before The Man in the Water was identified:

"But the person most responsible for the emotional impact of the disaster is the one known at first simply as “the man in the water.” (balding, probably in his 50s, an extravagant mustache.) He was seen clinging with five other survivors to the tail section of the airplane.

This man was described by Usher and Windsor as appearing alert and in control. Every time they lowered a lifeline and flotation ring to him, he passed it on to another of the passengers.

“In a mass casualty, you’ll find people like him,” said Windsor. “But I’ve never seen one with that commitment.” When the helicopter came back for him, the man had gone under. His selflessness was one reason the story held national attention; his anonymity another.
..
For at some moment in the water he must have realized that he would not live if he continued to hand over the rope and ring to others. He had to know it, no matter how gradual the effect of the cold. In his judgment he had no choice."
Remarks from then-President Ronald Reagan: https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4706813/user-clip-arland-d-williams-rememberance&fbclid=IwAR3J_O1P0Ozm_L-Xrtoh8nqyYlowweHBTE8UkGgOH6PnEiH9S_T3gj7bYhg

LTC George G. Mattar, USA, '63, was also on board Flight 90 and was killed when the plane crashed