The Citadel Class of 1970

 

GIVING SOMETHING BACK

                                   

October 2002       

 

Dear Classmates and Class of 1970 Families,

 

Did you get to Charleston for our Class of 1970 Mini-Reunion?  Martha and I did.  And, we had a great time.  Many thanks to Coty, Wally, Bubba, Michael, Stan, Hoot, Josiah, Kevin, Mike, Scott, Tom, Bob and all of our other classmates for a wonderful time.  Many thanks also to the families of these loyal classmates for making all of us feel so welcome.  There really is only one Charleston.  We missed you who could not attend.

 

And, we raised some money for The Citadel.  Our class does so much to support our alma mater.  We provide thinking alumni who provide leadership to our alumni association, The Brigadier Foundation and The Citadel Foundation.  We provide our sons and daughters with the opportunity to serve in the next generation of alumni.  We provide loyal financial support.  We provide a willing commentary on what is going on in Charleston at The Citadel to any who will listen.  Think about it.  We ARE giving something back.

 

The Citadel Foundation Budget Request for 2003-2004 looks like this:

            Academic Scholarships                                                           $1,700,000

            Student Learning Opportunities                                                    460,000

            Faculty Scholarship                                                                      550,000

            The Academic Environment                                                         525,000

            Faculty Recruitment and Retention                                               450,000

            Special Opportunities for Academic Enrichment                         124,273

                        TOTAL                                                                        $3,809,273

 

Looks like a lot of money, doesn’t it?  And, it is. This does not include other funds that we will make available to The Brigadier Foundation.

 

There has been a change in the way we raise money for The Citadel.  Our Class of 1970 supports all of the efforts.  Our Annual Fund is the conduit we are using to solicit money from all of us.  Beginning next year we will have goals for designated and non-designated gifts.  We – Our Class of 1970 – will benefit when we work through the single Annual Fund.  It is a more economical way to raise all the money our alma mater needs.  And, the needs are growing.

 

As the state budget shrinks, our share of it at The Citadel will too.  But, our needs are increasing.  We are filling the barracks with cadets.  This really is something relatively new.  The makeup of entering students is improving.  They are, for the most part, brighter, smarter, and better prepared for college than we were.  There are needs at the library, the stadium, the classrooms, and the barracks. There are needs to support athletics. There are needs to support literally everything physical and educational at The Citadel.

 

 

On July 26, 2002, our Board of Visitors adopted The Citadel’s Strategic Initiative which provides a framework outlining The Citadel’s priorities over the next ten years. I, for one, am pleased that we do now have the “plan” many of us have been asking for.  We want to know what our money will be used for, what we will be doing.  The Strategic Initiative affirms The Citadel’s core values and delineating The Citadel’s purpose and direction.  Here it is.

 

Strategic Initiative

2002-2012

 

VISION FOR THE FUTURE

Achieving excellence in the education of principled leaders

 

CORE VALUES

Academics, Duty, Honor, Morality, Discipline, Diversity

 

MISSION

To prepare Citadel graduates to become principled leaders in all walks of life by instilling core values in a disciplined academic environment.

 

TEN-YEAR PLANNING PRIORITIES

Continue to develop and formalize our leadership programs, activities and curriculum.

Make character development and ethics education fundamental components

of The Citadel experience.

Successfully complete a comprehensive fundraising program in support of

academics, athletics, and student life.

Significantly enhance the facilities and technological support for our students.

Enhance the development of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies.

Ensure that the college has the leadership and talent necessary to accomplish its mission.  

 

So What????  I’m glad you asked.  The answer is very simple.  We, members of The Citadel Class of 1970, must play a part in making this Strategic Initiative happen.  We will have the opportunity.  Pick up the telephone and call Mike Rogers at the Alumni Association. Volunteer to become involved. Pick up your pen and provide a generous gift to The Citadel.  Whether you choose to provide a designated gift or you choose to let the staff and other volunteers determine where your gift can best be used does not matter. What does matter is involvement.

 

Even with the current economic situation, you – and I – can become involved.  I have already written my check.  My vote has been cast.  I am FOR The Citadel and my bank balance supports my vote. The Brigadier Foundation and The Citadel Fund have significant gifts from me.  What about you?

 

Thanks for your continuing support of The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina.

 

 

Don Blackmon