HONOR DUTY RESPECT - The Citadel

the path to principled leadership and academic excellenceBy Mark DanesThe Citadel continues to pursue strategies that will expand public appreciation forthe unique mission of the college as we usher in 170 years of achieving excellence in theeducation and development of principled leaders.This year, as we close the first, three-year phase of our strategic planning process, the Blueprint, weinitiate the actions declared in the next strategic plan, the LEAD Plan 2018.Why “LEAD?” It’s what we do: Leadership Excellence and Academic Distinction.The theme of this plan also aligns with our upcoming campuscommunications campaigns and the activities of The CitadelFoundation—all of which spring from the mission of principledleadership development. Our collective strategic planningprocedures are carefully designed to ensure the success of theinstitution and that of our graduates.During the fall of 2011, a team of faculty, staff and campusleadership began the important process of defining, shaping andpositioning the future successes of the college. The campus askedand studied the question: How do we want to be perceived in fiveto 10 years?To answer this question, the college engaged the campuscommunity in a discussion of the institution’s strategic goalsand vision, culminating in the LEAD Plan 2018, The Citadel’sstrategic plan.“This planning document communicates The Citadel’s prioritiesand lays the foundation for a successful fundraising effort that58