Fresh starts

by Major General John S. Grinalds U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.) President, The Citadel

          In the Lowcountry as elsewhere, this is a time of endings and beginnings. Beachgoers cherish the last days of summer while teachers and students anticipate the start of school.

          In what many would find an ironic twist, the beach reminds me of a new school year. Just as night tides erase the day's accumulations of sandcastles and sculptures leaving a smooth surface for fresh creations, the new school year is a clean slate waiting for an imprint.

          After a quiet summer, robust life returns to The Citadel in waves during August. The arrival of the athletic cadre in late July brings the sense of change followed by the entering athletes who began their military training on August 1st. Next come the regular cadre, the Corps and faculty leadership, followed by the new fourth class cadets, the rest of the faculty, the rest of the Corps and the CGPS students. Classes started on August 25th, and now it's high tide.

          As this college year opens, we have many reasons to be optimistic about the clean slate that opens our 162nd year.

• PT Barracks, the most recognizable landmark on campus, is back in service and will be dedicated on September 24th.
  
  
• After three successive years of record-breaking numbers of admissions applications, our current cadets have faced more competition than ever for a place at the college. The Corps reflects a remarkable depth of talent and interests produced by this competition.
  
  
• The honor committee, through the auspices of the Krause Initiative in Leadership and Ethics, is embarking on an ambitious training plan to help the fourth class, as well as returning cadets, better understand the requirements of living under our honor code.
  
  
• The college has just completed an extensive review of all academic and administrative programs for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the most important accrediting agency for our college. We should learn the results of this exhaustive self-examination by December.
  
  
• Finally, our military programs are flourishing, finishing last year with 36 percent of graduating seniors accepting military commissions and many receiving coveted, highly competitive assignments.

          I relish this time of year when everything is possible. The 2004-2005 college year brings us fresh opportunities and challenges. Each of us—cadets, CGPS students, faculty, staff, alumni and parents—should consider what we can do in 2004-2005 to make The Citadel a better place.

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