The Krause Center Award
Each year, the Krause Center Award for Distinguished Service, Leadership, and Ethics showcases a Citadel graduate as a living example of a Principled Leader. The award has been presented annually since 2011 (except for 2021) to Citadel graduates whose lives and actions exemplify the highest ideals of distinguished service, leadership, and ethics through personal integrity and service to others.
To be considered for selection, nominees must:
- Exhibit The Citadel’s Core Values of Honor, Duty, and Respect in both professional and private life
- Embody the values and ethical character of a Principled Leader
- Exemplify service before self in actions and deeds for The Citadel
- Serve as a role model in both professional and personal endeavors
2025 Recipient: Lieutenant General John W. Rosa, USAF (Ret.)
Lieutenant General John W. Rosa, USAF
(Ret.), served as the 19th President of The
Citadel from 2006 until his retirement in 2018. Returning to his alma mater after a
distinguished military career, he led with
integrity, humility, and vision, embodying
the college’s core values of honor, duty, and
respect. A decorated fighter pilot and
three-star general, General Rosa provided
steady leadership through financial
challenges, natural disasters, and the rapidly
changing landscape of higher education.
During his twelve-year tenure, he
strengthened The Citadel’s fiscal stability,
reduced institutional debt, and expanded
academic programs to meet the needs of the
community, state, and nation. His leadership
guided the LEAD 2018 strategic plan and
the successful completion of a $175 million
capital campaign. Under his example, The
Citadel was ranked the #1 Public College in
the South by U.S. News & World Report for
eight consecutive years. Named President
Emeritus in 2018, General Rosa remains a
model of principled leadership and service
Past Recipients
2024 — Mr. Charles B. Coe, ’73
2023 — Mr. Claudius E. “Bud” Watts, IV, ’83
2022 — Mr. Anderson D. Warlick, ’79
2020 — Dr. John M. Palms, Sr., Ph.D., ‘58
2019 — Col Myron C. Harrington, USMC, Ret., ‘60
2018 — LTG W. Michael Steele, USA, Ret., ‘67
2017 — Dr. Stephen M. Sittnick, USA, Ret., ‘77
2016 — The Honorable Ernest F. Hollings, ‘42
2015 — The Honorable Joseph P. Riley, Jr., ‘64
2014 — Mr. William B. Sansom, ‘64
2013 — GEN William W. Hartzog, USA, Ret., ‘63
2012 — Mr. W. Henry Johnson, Jr., ’75
2011 — Mr. Frank P. Mood, ‘60