As The Citadel was preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the graduation of Charles Foster, ’70, it was past time to tell the story of the first black graduate in a meaningful way, and to demonstrate the importance of black graduates in the college’s history. Many of the college’s early African American alumni felt that the college ignored their hardships and their place in college history. Tragically, Foster died in a house fire in 1986, taking to his grave his voice as the first African American to break the Military College of South Carolina’s color barrier. With the help of more than a dozen interviews, Charles Foster came alive for the first time in a story that brought people to tears, mended fences and earned the college credibility in its efforts to promote diversity and inclusion.
From the Judges
Wonderful story about the university's history without sounding stuffy or PR-like. Clear and well written. The writer paints a good picture without over dramatization.
