In the annals of Citadel history, Charles Foster’s story is one of strength and determination. May 2020 will mark the 50-year anniversary of his graduation, and today cadets and alumni continue to celebrate his achievement. We sat down with some of them to find out what his story means to them.
African American alumni and cadets talk about the influence of the first black cadet
In the annals of Citadel history, Charles Foster’s story is one of strength and determination. May 2020 will mark the 50-year anniversary of his graduation, and today cadets and alumni continue to celebrate his achievement. We sat down with some of them to find out what his story means to them.
“Charles Foster’s story is about perseverance. It is not a tragedy. He did not come to The Citadel and fail. Perseverance is about sticking to a task until its successful completion. Charles Foster persevered. He walked out with two pieces of paper—an undergraduate degree and a commission in the United States Army.”
Brig. Gen. David Wilson, ’91, the first Citadel African American alumnus to become an active United States Army brigadier general, is a native of Charleston. Wilson attended Charles A. Brown High School before graduating from Burke High School. He is currently serving in Korea and is scheduled to be promoted to major general this fall. Wilson is having a portrait of Foster commissioned that he plans to present to the college.
“I am eternally grateful that Mr. Foster had the courage and the bravery to enter The Citadel, especially during the civil rights era when he was not welcomed with open arms. Without him and without his sacrifice, I would not have had the opportunity that was bestowed upon me my senior year to be regimental commander.”
Norman Doucet, ’94, made history when he became the first black regimental commander, the highest-ranking cadet in the Corps. Doucet, a native of Charleston, is currently the director of corporate strategy for a consulting company in Chicago.
“If Charles Foster had not endured his freshman year, I wouldn’t be here today. He broke the ice. He came so that I could.”
Col. Robert Pickering, ’94, is the director of the student success center and multicultural and international student services at The Citadel. A native of Charleston, Pickering knew the story of Charles Foster before he ever enrolled.
“When I imagined what it must have been like for Charles Foster—surrounded by people who did not look like him and people who probably did not want him there—I knew that if he could graduate, I absolutely could to it.”
L. Shay Peterson, ’02, an attorney who works for a federal agency in Washington, D.C., was one of seven women who made history when they became the first African American women to graduate from The Citadel.
“It’s really important to recognize some parts of The Citadel story that aren’t great, and, at the same time, to recognize those people who made it what it is today. We should not forget history but embrace it. Charles Foster leaves behind a beautiful legacy.”
David Days, ’19, served as regimental executive officer and president of the cadet African American Society. A native of Charleston, he is now a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force.
“My experience is nothing compared to what Charles Foster went through as the only African American cadet on campus. I admire his courage and bravery. He was like an astronaut taking the first great steps in the integration of the college—it was monumental.”
Trevon Elliot-Ford, ’20, is a native of Charleston. A senior, majoring in mechanical engineering, he serves as president of the African American Society.
“I am grateful to Charles Foster for opening doors so that I could attend The Citadel. Nothing has been more gratifying to me than being a Citadel cadet. My Citadel experience has given me a sound purpose for my future.”
Samantha Walton, ’22, is a political science major from Macon, Georgia. She is pursuing an Army contract and wants to be a judge advocate general corps officer. She is the current recipient of the Charles Foster Scholarship.
Joe Shine and the African American Society
In 1967 when Foster was a sophomore, another African American cadet arrived—Joe Shine, ’71. Like Foster, Shine was from Charleston. A history major and an honors student, Shine had an Air Force ROTC scholarship and was on regimental staff his senior year. In 1974, he graduated from Harvard Law School. He was an attorney in Columbia and a member of The Citadel Board of Visitors when he passed away suddenly from a heart attack in 2003. In 1968, Shine was followed by another African American cadet who did not graduate, and in 1969 when Foster was a senior, nine young black men matriculated—among them, Larry Ferguson. Together Shine and Ferguson founded the cadet Afro American Society, now known as the African American Society.
