Student Awardees

Sarah Fink is an accomplished senior at The Citadel, pursuing a double major in Chemistry and Physics with an impressive 3.9 GPA. A dedicated member of the Honors Program, Sarah has consistently demonstrated academic excellence, earning President’s List honors, Gold Stars, and numerous awards, including the Outstanding Senior in Chemistry and Physics, and the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association ROTC Honor Certificate.

Sarah has been actively engaged in research for the past three semesters, working under Dr. Thad Le-Vasicek to explore the properties of enzymes that functionalize magnetic nanoparticles. Her work will be presented at the American Chemical Society Spring 2025 Meeting, one of the largest gatherings of scientists worldwide. Additionally, she completed a Scientific and Technical Internship with PennDOT, where she contributed to evaluating water drainage systems.

Dalton Hazelwood is a dedicated graduate student at The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, pursuing his master’s in information systems. With a passion for data science, cybersecurity, and research, Dalton has spent the past 4 years working on projects to include de-duplicating the GDELT dataset and using machine learning to uncover drivers of unrest events, research he presented at the IEEE International Big Data Conference.

Beyond his academic work, Dalton has competed in several cyber competitions, including the National Cyber Exercise hosted by the NSA and the Palmetto Cyber Defense Competition hosted by NIWC Atlantic. His technical expertise and problem-solving abilities have earned him recognition, including the Sigma XI award for research excellence.

Seth C. James is an accomplished scholar, leader, and dedicated public servant. A senior at The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, he is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Performance and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, with minors in Psychology and Chemistry, all while maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA. His academic excellence has been recognized through multiple honors, including the Special Forces Award of Excellence and the Capers Award, and he has received four merit-based academic scholarships through the Hibernian Society of Charleston and The Citadel. He has also contributed to research in exercise physiology, presenting at prestigious events like the Southeastern Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine, The Citadel Academy of Sciences and Mathematics, and The Citadel Student Excellence Day.

Vincent Massaro is from Charlotte, North Carolina and majoring in Physics. He completed his knob year in Papa company before being transferred to India Company and Tango Company as the Company 1SG. This past year he has served as the Third Battalion Commander in the South Carolina Corps of Cadets, The society of physics student club president, and the NROTC Marine Contingent Executive Officer. After graduating, he plans on commissioning in the Marine Corps as a 2nd Lieutenant and would like to attend flight school to fly fixed winged jets. His long-term goals are to earn his master’s degree in electrical engineering and a PhD in particle physics. 

Ms. Grace Duncan is from Memphis, TN where she graduated with a B.S. in Exercise Science from The University of Memphis. At Memphis, she played four years of NCAA Division I Soccer. She continued her soccer and academic career at The Citadel, leading the team as a captain in 2023, and plans to graduate with her MAT in Physical Education this May. While at The Citadel, Grace served as a GA to Dr. Sacko in the Health and Human Performance Department, assisting with research primarily on motor skill performance and assessment, cadet physical fitness, and energy expenditure. With a wealth of knowledge gained from both her academic pursuits and research involvement, Grace looks forward to applying her expertise in the field of physical education.

SSgt Daniel Groce was born on October 7th, 1995, in Indianapolis, Indiana to Kimberly Taylor and Lonnie Rodgers. He joined the Marine Corps in May of 2015, being stationed in California, Washington D.C. and North Carolina. Daniel came to the Palmetto state during the summer of 2020 to pursue a degree in exercise science. He was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant on February 1st, 2022, and will be commissioning in the Marine Corps as a 2nd lieutenant this upcoming May. Daniel has maintained a 3.5 or higher gpa throuaghout his time at The Citadel and has presented studies at the Southeastern American College of Sports Medicine convention as well as the Sorinex National Strength and Conditioning convention. He plans to become an infantry officer after he graduates.

Cadet Andrew Davis of Canton, GA,achieved a 4.0 GPA as an Exercise Science major with a minor in Chemistry. He is the captain of the football team and coordinated and maintained communications between the military administration and the football team. Andrew plans to attend medical school and become an Orthopedic surgeon after graduation. He is currently a physical therapy and orthopedics volunteer at MUSC and a leader within the Alpha Epsilon Delta Health Pre-professional Health Society. Andrew participated in The Citadel Medical Camp in Nairobi, Kenya, that served over 5,000 patients in summer 2022. During this study abroad, he demonstrated compassion and kindness toward patients, rapid and knowledgeable response to emergency events, leadership, and an innate amplitude for medical sciences.

Ms. Maria Marquez-Garcia of Gainesville, GA, maintained a 3.8 GPA in the joint M.S. program in Computer and Information Sciences between The Citadel and College of Charleston. She constantly challenged herself and performed outstandingly in her academic studies, research work and service-learning activities. Maria received the prestigious Department of Defense Cyber Scholarship as both a graduate and undergraduate student and will work for the Naval Information Warfare Center upon graduation from The Citadel. She also worked on a NSA funded Research Project, successfully participated in US Cyber Games and the National Cyber League competitions, and was a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the Department of Cyber and Computer Sciences.

SSgt Benjamin Knight is a role model for Citadel students and active duty Marines that are part of the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program. He excelled in academics maintaining a GPA of 3.97 and served as a research assistant for several research projects. Benjamin participated in the Kenya Healthcare Summer Study Abroad Program in 2022 where his initiative and leadership motivated Kenyans and Citadel students to work together to establish a pharmacy to serve over 5,000 patients. He accomplished this task without hesitation and with little instruction or guidance. Benjamin has positively impacted the students, faculty, and other individuals who interacted with him during his tenure at The Citadel. He exemplifies core values of The Citadel and the Marines and is a worthy recipient of the 2023 Outstanding Veteran/Active Duty Student Award.

Opportunities to learn at The Citadel extend beyond the classroom. Smiles holds leadership roles in several cyber clubs on campus, including a competition club, which took her from practicing to performing and gave her the opportunity to apply what she learned in the classroom in real-world scenarios. During her junior year, Smiles competed with three of her classmates in a Red Zone Capture the Flag competition at the National Cyber Range Complex Charleston, located at the Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic. The Citadel competed against 35 other teams, mostly military and civilian cybersecurity professionals. Smiles’ team earned sixth place.

Bonnie is passionate about advocating for our ocean ecosystems’ health and believe that is best achieved through both research and education. She has a strong background in microplastics research and am currently working towards her masters in Biology while working in the lab of Dr. John Weinstein on multiple funded grant projects assessing the production, transport, and fate of microplastics in the Charleston Harbor. Bonnie is passionate about advocating for our ocean ecosystems’ health and believe that is best achieved through both research and education. She has a strong background in microplastics research and am currently working towards her masters in Biology while working in the lab of Dr. John Weinstein on multiple funded grant projects assessing the production, transport, and fate of microplastics in the Charleston Harbor. 

John DeStefano is from Charleston, South Carolina and will graduate summa cum laude with a BS in Biology. He has conducted molecular biology research with Citadel and MUSC faculty since his freshman year, including studying a novel treatment for late-stage ovarian cancer.

Nathan Platt is from Columbia, South Carolina, where his love of nature and paleontology began. He graduated from Charleston Southern University with a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology with a focus in paleontology in 2018 and will graduate with a Masters in Biology in May 2020. Interests include many fields within biology and paleontology.

Ms. Gerlings is a veteran of the US Navy, and is now currently a day student majoring in Computer Science. She is a founding officer of the Citadel chapter of Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS), and was awarded a scholarship to attend the annual WiCyS conference 2020.

Alexis M. Edwards is an undergraduate student at The Citadel and she is pursuing an undergraduate degree in physics. Upon receiving her degree she plans on commissioning into the South Carolina National Guard serving as an Air Defense Artillery Officer. During the summer of 2018 she completed her last iteration of Army ROTC training required for commissioning following an internship with The National Reconnaissance Office. Alexis has been recognized as an outstanding junior and senior in The Citadel’s physics department and is serving as the president of the Society of Physics Students. Alexis has conducted undergraduate research in cosmic radiation and plans to share this research in upcoming poster sessions and conferences. After graduation she plans to attend a Basic Officer Leadership Course where she will acquire the skills needed for her profession in the Army.

Logan Rayvon Miller is a senior cadet and the Regimental Public Affairs Officer for the Corps of Cadets. He will graduate with a double major in Exercise Science and Spanish and minor in Biology. He will start Physician Assistant School at the Medical University of South Carolina May 22nd and aspires to be a Physician Assistant in the Air Force. He wants to serve his country and provide quality patient-centered health care to people across the globe.Logan Rayvon Miller is a senior cadet and the Regimental Public Affairs Officer for the Corps of Cadets. He will graduate with a double major in Exercise Science and Spanish and minor in Biology. He will start Physician Assistant School at the Medical University of South Carolina May 22nd and aspires to be a Physician Assistant in the Air Force. He wants to serve his country and provide quality patient-centered health care to people across the globe.

Brooke Lindsey Everly is a Graduate student in the Biology Department, since June of 2018. She graduated from the Technical College of the Lowcountry in May of 2016 with two associate degrees and three certificates while still in high school. She recently graduated, from The Citadel, in May of 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a 3.8 GPA. In May of 2019, she will be the first to graduate from The Citadel’s new Accelerated Master of Arts in Biology, the 4+1 program. While at the Citadel for her undergraduate degree, Brooke was a part of the Biology Department’s Pre-Health Society.  She also played rugby.  As a cadet, Brooke did research with Dr. Kristy Johnson, while  maintaining  her GPA and earned Gold Stars every semester. Brooke hopes to attend Medical School in the fall of 2020.  She  continues doing  research with Dr. Johnson.

Melissa Myrick is a graduate student in Secondary Mathematics in the School of Education, graduating Fall 2019.  She grew up in Summerville, and received her Bachelor of Science from the University of South Carolina in Mechanical Engineering.  After completing her certification as an Engineer-In-Training, she spent seven years working as a Nuclear Engineer by training at the Charleston Naval Shipyard.  Upon the closing of the Shipyard, she stayed home to raise her boys for the next 15 years.  The opportunity to teach math at her children’s private school led to her finding a passion for teaching and helping students learn math.  To pursue the dream of teaching, she enrolled as a graduate student at the Citadel, and she plans to continue teaching either in a local high school or local college upon completion of her Master’s Degree.

Is a Navy veteran, trained as a nuclear-power electrician for the world’s greatest nuclear-powered fleet. Following her honorable discharge in 2010, her husband and fellow naval engineering comrade, Ryan, was transferred to Bremerton, Washington where they had their first daughter, Hazel. Cherie then completed her ASN in pre-nursing, a stepping stone to gaining her BSN. Following their transfer to Charleston in 2015, Cherie had their second daughter, Hadlee. While applying to the locally established nursing programs, she stumbled across an advertisement for the Citadels NEW nursing program. Following acceptance, she has flourished in the program.

James Logue Andrus, Jr. grew up in Enfield NC on his family farm.  He is working to receive a BS in Mathematics, with a minor in Programming and a minor in Cybersecurity.  Since the fall of 2017, Cadet Andrus has been the President of the Math Club, the President of the ACM Student Chapter and the President of the Cybersecurity Club.  He is the captain of the Citadel Cybersecurity Team.

Dillon Graham is a senior biology major from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  He currently serves as the Regimental Commander for the South Carolina Corps of Cadets.  Upon graduation, Dillon will commission into the United States Air Force and will attend the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville to become a medical doctor.

Born and raised in Bowman, South Carolina, a small, rural town where his love of nature and biology began.  Riser graduated from The Citadel with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Minor in American History in 2012 and will graduate with a Masters in Biology in May of 2018.  Interests include many fields related to history and science.  Currently employed by Santee Cooper, Riser works in the analytical and biological resources laboratory as a laboratory technician analyzing coal, fly ash, gypsum, limestone and mercury sorbent traps to meet the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards.

 Marcus Harbol is a senior legacy student from Bothell, Washington. Marcus is completing a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with a minor in Computer Programming. He has had a very active research experience including presenting at many national, regional, and local math conferences and winning two presentation awards. After graduation, Marcus will be an engineer officer in the army.

Duncan Rhoad is pursuing a Master of Arts in biology. He is employed as a biology tutor at The Academic Support Center and as a lab assistant for the Gross Anatomy Lab at MUSC. he assisted with research on the endangered plant species, the American chaffseed, which was presented at the 2014 conference for the Association of Southeastern Biologists. After completing his master’s degree, Duncan plans on attending medical school this fall.

Cadet Matthew Scalise is a senior Biology major and Spanish minor, who will begin medical school at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville in the fall of 2016. Matt is deserving of this award based on his exceptional academic record, commitment to research and leadership activities.Graduate: Jordan Hopkins