The Citadel Honors 20+ Students and Faculty for Excellence

Excellence in education got its moment in the spotlight at The Citadel Graduate College this month. On May 7, the military college in Charleston, South Carolina honored over 20 students and faculty members who went above and beyond in academics, leadership, and service.

The annual CGC Awards Ceremony took place in Capers Hall, bringing together graduate students, evening degree completion students, and the professors who helped shape their success. The celebration happened just before the college's 2026 commencement ceremonies.

Damirelys Perez took home two major honors, including the Graduate Student Award for Academic Excellence and Leadership and the J. Patrick Leverett Award for outstanding achievement in clinical counseling. Alexander Pratt earned recognition as the top student in both the Degree Completion Program and civil engineering.

Veteran student Jesse McClure received the Veteran Student Success Center Award, highlighting The Citadel's commitment to supporting military-connected students. The college also celebrated MBA standout Scott Bourquin and project management student William Weber for their exceptional academic records.

Faculty members earned their share of applause too. Dr. Eva Singleton received the award for Outstanding Contributions to the Graduate College, while Dr. Susan Wright was voted MBA Faculty Member of the Year by her own students.

The ceremony included the prestigious Hirshey Awards, named after Charles Hirshey, who pioneered graduate education in South Carolina's Lowcountry from 1969 to 1979. Six students across education specialties from teacher education to STEM received this honor.

Why This Inspires

The Citadel's recognition system does something powerful. It shows students that hard work, leadership, and service don't go unnoticed, even in demanding graduate programs where many students balance school with careers and families.

The awards also highlight the quality of education available to non-traditional students, including veterans and working adults pursuing evening degrees. These programs open doors for people who might otherwise struggle to access higher education.

When colleges celebrate both students and professors together, they reinforce a simple truth: great education happens through partnership. Students push themselves to excel, and dedicated faculty members provide the guidance to make it possible.

Each of these 20+ award winners represents countless hours of study, late nights finishing assignments, and the determination to achieve something meaningful. Their success creates a ripple effect that inspires classmates, future students, and their own communities.

The Citadel's commitment to recognizing excellence sets a standard for how educational institutions can honor achievement across diverse student populations.