The Citadel Alumni Association Distinguished Alumnus Highlight LTG Francis M. Beaudette, USA, Ret., '89 Beaudette concluded his military career in 2021 after serving as Commanding General of United States Army Special Operations Command from 2018 to 2021. Commissioned in 1989, he deployed in support of the Gulf War and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. His leadership assignments included command of the 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Germany and Special Operations Task Force 10 in Afghanistan. He later served as G3 and Chief of Staff for United States Army Special Forces Command (Airborne) before commanding the 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) and Joint Special Operations Task Force–Philippines. Additional senior roles included Deputy Commanding General of the 1st Armored Division and Director of United States Central Command Forward–Jordan. His awards include the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal (3), Legion of Merit (4), and Bronze Star Medal (4). Learn more about distinguished alumni at citadelalumni.org/news-stories/distinguished-alumni/dcal/.

🎉 Class of 2026 Parents, Family, and Friends! 🎉 There’s still time to secure a Life Membership for your cadet/student at the discounted rate of $400, but don’t wait too long—this special offer is only available until Commencement Day! 📢 Since the March 15th deadline has passed: 🔹 We cannot guarantee that membership items will arrive in time to be picked up with their classmates. 🔹 Your cadet/student will not be announced as a Life Member during Commencement. 💙 A Life Membership in The Citadel Alumni Association is a meaningful and lasting Graduation gift! To take advantage of this offer, visit: 🔗 citadelalumni.org/product-category/membership/ and select New Life Membership (Current Student) – $400. 🚀 Class of 2027 parents – you can also lock in this $400 rate now through Commencement Day in 2027! Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate this achievement with a lifelong connection to The Citadel Alumni Association! 🎓💙

April 7, 2026

Today is National Beer Day! Here are a few Citadel Alumni breweries for you to sample. Over the Horizon Brewing, Charleston, SC James Browning, '01, Owner Chris Houston, '03, Owner Scotty Sheriff, '01, Owner overthehorizonbrewing.com Amor Artis Brewing, Fort Mill, SC Steve Tolson, CGC '11, GM/Owner amorartisbrewing.com Ghost Hawk Brewing Co, Clifton, NJ Tom Rachselski, '04, Founder/President ghosthawkbrewing.com Holy City Brewing, Charleston, SC Jack Pitts, '06, Brewer holycitybrewing.com Island Brands, Charleston, SC Scott Hansen, '94, Co-founder/CEO islandbrandsusa.com Munkle Brewing Co., Charleston, SC Brian Donehue, '02, munklebrewing.com Port Orleans Brewing Co., New Orleans, LA Andrew LIlly, '98, Partner portorleansbrewingco.com 28Brewery, Scottsdale, AZ George Boatwright, '72, Partner – Sales 28brewery.us Pangaea Brewing, Greenville, SC Corey Byrd, Veteran undergraduate & CGC ‘20, Owner and General Manager pangaeabrewing.com If you know any others, please leave a comment so we can update our list! #NationalBeerDay

April 6, 2026

April 6, 1997: Joseph P. Riley, Jr., Park opened. The baseball park was named for Charleston's longest-serving mayor, Joseph P. Riley, Jr., '64, and is the home field for The Citadel Bulldogs Baseball, who beat Western Carolina University 6-5 in the first game there. citadelsports.com/facilities/joseph-p-riley-jr-park/1

Happy National Tartan Day! "A variation of the Earl of St. Andrew's plus yellow and red stripes. woven by D.C. Dalgliesh in 1980 for this very old South Carolina Military Academy. Tartan said to have been 'arranged' by Otis C. Johnston, Jr. The designer was possibly the head of the Citadel Piping School at that time – one Ludovic Grant-Alexander (info Bob Martin November 2003). Swatch in Scottish Tartans Authority's Johnston Collection. Full name as detailed on woven swatch 'Citadel Military Institute of South Carolina'. The Academy commonly known as "The Citadel" is at Charleston, South Carolina, founded 1842. The Pipe Band was established in 1955 by General Mark W. Clark then President of the Academy at that time. The tartan was not agreed until 1979 under the guidence of Col. William F. Prioleau Jr. The design is that of the Earl of St Andrews with an alternate gold and red over check to suggest bravery and excellence" – tartanregister.gov.uk/tartanDetails?ref=652 Visit Olde School Blazers for you Citadel Tartan needs: oldeschoolblazer.com/schools/citadel/

On April 5, 1902, Mark Twain briefly visited Charleston, attending the South Carolina Inter-State and West Indian Exposition in Hampton Park, for about six hours.

Today is Gold Star Spouses Day, a day to remember the loved ones of military service members who died while serving our country. Please join us in thanking them for their sacrifices.