The Citadel Alumni Association Distinguished Alumnus Highlight Col Randolph J. Bresnik, USMC, Ret., '89 Col. Randy Bresnik, The Citadel's first man in space, has had one of the most decorated careers in modern military and space history. He launched aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis in November 2009, spending 11 days on the International Space Station and completing 2 spacewalks. In 2017, he returned to space aboard the Soyuz MS-04, this time serving as ISS Commander and completing 3 more spacewalks. Before NASA, Bresnik was a USMC test pilot who flew combat missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom, logging 6,400+ flight hours across 85 types of aircraft and attending both TOPGUN and the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School. He was selected for NASA's astronaut program out of 4,000+ applicants — one of only 11 chosen — and has since commanded an undersea research mission and is now helping shape the next generation of spacecraft. His awards include the Legion of Merit, multiple Strike/Flight Air Medals, and 2 NASA Spaceflight Medals. On his time as a Citadel cadet, Bresnik said it best: "To this date it was the hardest mental and physical challenge that I've come up against. After The Citadel, I knew that I could do anything." Learn more about distinguished alumni at citadelalumni.org/news-stories/distinguished-alumni/dcal/.

Today on Medal of Honor Day, we remember The Citadel’s Medal of Honor recipients: BG John Thomas Kennedy, Class of 1907; CPT Hugh Reavis Nelson Jr., Class of 1959; and SFC Christopher Andrew Celiz, Class of 2008.

March 24, 2026

March 24, 1663: King Charles II grants the territory called “Carolana” to eight Lords Proprietors, serving as a blueprint for the colonization of Carolina, setting the stage for the establishment of Charles Towne in 1670 charlestonmag.com/features/defining_moments_in_charlestons_history_1663_1736

March 23, 2026

On March 23, 1942—just three months after assuming control—the U.S. War Department (which, in 1947, became the Department of the Army under the newly formed Department of Defense) signed a lease with the City of Charleston, formally activating Charleston Municipal Airport as Charleston Municipal Airport, First Air Force, reflecting its joint military-civilian use. About seven months later, the installation was renamed Charleston Army Air Base, and on June 15, 1943, it became Charleston Army Air Field. At the time of Army occupancy, the airport included 732 acres, two runways, and several buildings. jbcharleston.jb.mil/News/Commentaries/Display/Article/1156851/the-founding-of-charleston-air-force-base/

Dr. J. Patrick Johnson, '78, was featured in a CedarsSinai.org article titled, The Cowboy Spine Surgeon. cedars-sinai.org/blog/the-cowboy-spine-surgeon.html

March 20, 2026: Welcome to our Gold Corps Reunion classes!

One-hundred eighty three years ago today, on March 20, 1843, the first Cadets reported to The Citadel on Marion Square. This date is celebrated today as "Corps Day," the official anniversary of the formation of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets. citadeldigitalarchives.omeka.net/items/show/518