As we were going to press, we were saddened to learn that two of our distinguished Citadel leaders had passed away. Within just days of each other Lt. Gen. Claudius E. “Bud” Watts III ’58, the 17th president of the college, and Board of Visitors member Col. Stanley Myers, ’98, left behind rich legacies that speak to their character and leadership and leave us better people for having known them.
Claudius E. Watts III, ’58
A native of Cheraw, retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Claudius E. “Bud” Watts III, ’58, served and led with distinction in the military, academia, finance, and public service.
In 1954, Watts matriculated to The Citadel on a full ROTC scholarship. Later, as a U.S. Air Force officer, he amassed 7,000 flight hours as a command pilot, including 276 missions in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross three times, among other gallantry and combat awards. He was also awarded the nation’s highest non-combat award, the Defense Distinguished Service medal.
A Fulbright scholar, Watts was a lifelong learner. He earned degrees from the London School of Economics and Political Science, Stanford Business School, the Army Command and General Staff College, and the National War College, and he completed a leadership program at the Harvard Kennedy School.
In 1989, after decades of military service, Watts became the 17th president of his alma mater. His leadership was immediately tested by Hurricane Hugo. His seven-year tenure was also marked by improvements to programs and facilities, a once-in-a-decade academic reaccreditation and recertification of individual areas of scholarship.
Stanley Myers, ’98
Col. Stanley Myers, ’98, graduated from the South Carolina Corps of Cadets with a degree in political science. He returned to his alma mater in 2014 to serve on the Board of Visitors and was reelected for another term in 2020.
A humble man, Myers represented his alma mater and community with the utmost pride. He was a respected man and a steadfast servant leader. A native of Swansea, he contributed in countless ways to The Citadel and to the state of South Carolina.
A lawyer and lieutenant colonel in the South Carolina National Guard, he distinguished himself in his career, becoming the first Black military judge in South Carolina history. Last year, he was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers, a preeminent and nationally recognized organization of lawyers.
During his time in the Corps of Cadets, Myers wore the number 16 for the Bulldog football team. He completed his athletic career at The Citadel having started 43 out of 44 games as quarterback. He is the only player in Citadel history ever to throw for 3,000-plus yards and to rush for 2,000-plus yards.