Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina]]> The oldest known Citadel Class Ring dates to 1895, and features a dark stone with the year '95 inscribed in the center. Early rings changed design from year to year until the design was standardized in 1940. A special war ring was made for those who had been called to active duty directly from The Citadel at the close of the 1942-1943 academic year. This war ring was unique in that it did not have class numerals.

Citadel Class Rings for the Corps of Cadets feature an oval crest with a Palmetto tree and the South Carolina State Seal with the graduating class numerals. The words “The Military College of S.C. 1842” wrap around the oval. The right side of the ring depicts the United States and South Carolina flags, cannon balls, and a star representing the Star of the West steamship that cadets fired upon in January of 1861. The left side depicts a crossed sword and rifle with oak leaves and laurel wreath.

For more information, visit The Citadel Alumni Association's Cadet Ring History & Symbolism website.

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1973]]> 1970-1979]]> Citadel Class of 1973]]>
Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina]]> Integration]]>
Mr. Graham briefly describes his own cadet experience, including an experience as a freshman when upperclassmen hung ropes in his room that frightened and intimidated him. Mr. Graham reflects on how Charles Foster must have felt his freshman year, as the only African American cadet on campus, saying, “Charlie had to go through pure hell. The isolation is probably the big thing, because you’re isolated so much as an African American.” Graham also talks about why it is important that we remember Charles Foster today.]]>
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Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina]]> Integration]]>
Mr. Benson also talks about why it is important that we remember Charles Foster today, saying, “You always remember the first.”]]>
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Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina]]> Integration]]>
Mr. Legare calls Charles Foster a “Trailblazer,” and says, “We can always point to Charlie and say, you know, ’Charlie did it’, and he was the first. So how can we quit?”]]>
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Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina]]> Integration]]>
Dr. Ferguson reflects on how Charles Foster must have felt his freshman year, when he was the only African American in the Corps. He says that Foster knew the importance of the position he had at The Citadel, being part of a generation that was helping to change the South, and America. Dr. Ferguson said he is sure Foster felt isolated in the Corps, but had the strength to continue on. He also talks about why it is important that we remember Charles Foster today, calling Foster “A true American hero, and a hero of Charleston.”]]>
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Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina]]> Integration]]>
Mr. Seabrooks reflects on how Charles Foster must have felt his freshman year at The Citadel, when he was the only African American in the Corps, saying, “He was isolated, and that sense of isolation weighed heavily on him.” He also talks about why it is important that we remember Charles Foster today, and offers advice to young African American cadets entering the Corps today.]]>
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