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Community to benefit from enhanced enforcement, 24/7 rapid response hotline, and stronger neighborhood protections

The Town of Hilton Head Island Town Council has approved the second reading of an ordinance amending the FY2026 budget to expand and modernize the Island’s Short-Term Rental (STR) Program

The proposed enhancements represent the next phase of the Town’s efforts to protect neighborhood quality of life while supporting a strong tourism economy. Click HERE for official documentation.

Short-term rentals remain a major part of Hilton Head Island’s visitor economy, supporting local businesses, sustaining jobs, and generating state and local tax revenues. As the number of rentals has grown on the Island, the Town is enhancing its program to ensure STRs operate responsibly and with respect for residential neighborhoods. The proposed changes move the Town’s STR program from complaint-based to performance-driven, and with coordinated accountability.

“This program strengthens our ability to protect neighborhoods while supporting responsible short-term rentals,” said Mayor Alan Perry. “Hilton Head Island is a community first — and this approach ensures STRs continue to contribute positively to our Island.”

Town Manager Marc Orlando said the enhancements focus on measurable service improvements and stronger neighborhood enforcement.

“By investing in staffing, technology, inspections, and 24/7 response capabilities, the Town is expanding its enforcement presence in neighborhoods. This ensures that short-term rentals remain an asset while maintaining the quality-of-life our residents expect,” Orlando said.

A Community-Focused Program

Following updated STR regulations adopted in October 2025, Town Council directed staff to review staffing, enforcement tools, funding, and communications prior to the 2026 spring and summer tourism season. If adopted at second reading on March 31, 2026, operational changes will take effect immediately.

Benefits for residents include:

• Faster response to complaints.
• 24/7 access to a live STR dispatch center.
• Clear accountability for repeat violations.
• Stronger enforcement of parking, noise, and nuisance rules.
• Proactive property inspections.

Benefits for property owners include:

• Clear and consistent rules.
• Streamlined permitting and compliance support.
• Direct coordination with Town staff.
• Predictable enforcement standards.

Benefits for visitors include:

• Safer properties.
• Clear expectations for responsible behavior.
• A better guest experience.

Updated Fee Model: Full Cost Recovery

To support these changes, the Town will transition from a flat $250 STR permit fee to a new annual fee of $150 per bedroom, along with requirements to maintain an active Town business license and comply with South Carolina Accommodation Tax (ATAX) laws.

This per-bedroom model reflects practices used in other high-demand coastal communities and ensures the STR program operates under a full cost recovery structure — meaning STR operations fund STR oversight rather than being supported by Island residents through general Town revenues.

Additional provisions include:

• $250 late fee for renewals submitted after May 15, 2026 (April 30 annually thereafter).
• Permit payment portal opens April 6, 2026.

Expanded STR Operations

The enhanced program includes the addition of four new full-time positions and the conversion of two existing part-time roles to full-time, resulting in six full-time STR-dedicated staff positions that expand the Town’s enforcement and response capabilities.

Four new full-time positions

• One 24/7 STR Dispatcher (Rapid Response Hotline).
• Two Community Code Enforcement Officers.
• One STR Property Inspector.

Two existing part-time positions converted to full-time

• STR Services Coordinator.
• STR Senior Revenue Collector.

Additional investments include:

• Three enforcement vehicles.
• STR compliance and tracking software.
• Real-time dispatch and reporting tools.
• Fire and life-safety inspection equipment.
• Public-facing data dashboards.

These additions will support defined response times, proactive inspections, centralized case management, and improved tracking of repeat violations.

24/7 STR Rapid Response Hotline

The Town is also establishing a 24/7 STR Rapid Response Hotline staffed by a dedicated dispatcher within the Town’s Fire Rescue dispatch center.

STR Rapid Response Hotline – 843-341-6864

Calls may be routed to:

• Town Community Code Enforcement.
• Registered STR property managers or owners of record.
• Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, if necessary.
• Public safety teams within major planned communities such as Sea Pines, Palmetto Dunes, and other STR communities.

This coordinated model is designed to provide faster response times, clearer accountability, and improved coordination among neighborhoods, property managers, and enforcement agencies.

Public Education and Awareness

In addition to enforcement improvements, the Town will launch a public awareness campaign to help prevent issues before they occur.

This initiative will include:

• Seasonal social media outreach.
• Educational materials placed inside STR properties.
• Direct communication with property owners and managers.
• Guest-facing messaging focused on noise, parking, trash, and environmental stewardship.
• Compliance advertising and educational webinars.

Industry research shows that proactive communication significantly reduces nuisance complaints and improves voluntary compliance.

The goal is simple: informed guests, responsible owners, and protected neighborhoods.

For STR regulations and permit information, visit https://hiltonheadislandsc.gov/business/short_term_rentals

Source: Town of Hilton Head Island

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The Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Grand Opening in Myrtle Beach, SC is set for 11:00 AM on Monday, May 25, 2026

The grand opening of the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial will take place at 11 a.m., Monday, May 25. The ceremony will also serve as the City of Myrtle Beach’s annual Memorial Day observance. All are invited to attend this much-anticipated event, which will include reflections from Vietnam War veterans and a keynote address by Medal of Honor recipient Maj. Gen. James E. Livingston, U.S. Marine Corps (retired).

The event will be at the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial at Warbird Park, 150 Farrow Parkway. Seating will be available for approximately 1,000 attendees. Guests are also encouraged to bring lawn chairs. Parking and additional event details will be announced closer to the date. For more information, call the Communications Office at 843-918-1054.

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New Partnership Aims to Increase Foster Homes and Strengthen Families

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster today joined leaders from the U.S. Administration for Children and Families (ACF) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), key legislative leaders, stakeholders, community providers, and leadership from the S.C. Department of Social Services (DSS) at the Statehouse to formally announce South Carolina as the latest state to participate in ‘A Home for Every Child.’ This new national initiative is aimed at rightsizing the ratio of foster homes to the number of children and youth in the foster care system in addition to reducing entries into the foster care system through effective pathways when possible.

Governor Henry McMaster welcomed the federal partnership and underscored the state’s commitment to building upon South Carolina’s ongoing reform efforts to support children and their families, recruit, support and retain foster parents, strengthen community-based prevention services and improve family preservation practices statewide.

“The month of May has been recognized each year in my administration as Foster Care Awareness Month, and this year is no exception. Foster parents play an essential role in serving our state’s children and youth when they cannot safely remain with their parents or caregivers,” said Governor Henry McMaster. “I applaud the Trump administration for bringing this critical initiative to states as an opportunity to make a lasting difference in a young person’s life. It is a chance to offer stability, hope, and the sense of belonging every young person deserves.”

During the event, ACF Assistant Secretary Alex J. Adams outlined the goals of the initiative, which seeks to help states improve the foster home-to-child ratio by increasing the availability of licensed foster homes, strengthening kinship care, improving foster parent retention, and reducing unnecessary entries into foster care.

“South Carolina’s decision to join ‘A Home for Every Child’ is a meaningful step toward ensuring every child grows up in a safe, loving, stable family,” said Assistant Secretary Alex J. Adams. “When states can create the conditions that prevent unnecessary entries into foster care, make it easier for families to become foster parents, and cut red tape to empower case managers, we drive better outcomes for children and families. The Trump administration is proud to partner with Governor McMaster, and together, we look forward to improving South Carolina’s ratio of foster home to children in care.”

According to ACF, for every 100 children currently entering foster care, only 57 licensed foster homes are available nationwide. This shortage creates logistical and safety challenges that work against what every child needs most: consistency, connection, and a stable path forward.

South Carolina DSS Director Tony Catone acknowledged the efforts of DSS professionals, caregivers, and community partners who have contributed to the state’s progress in serving children as well as a concerted effort to recruit additional foster homes all year long.

“Foster parents are a vital part of our state’s service to children and families experiencing crisis as they volunteer for in the deep work of care and supervision of children, young and older, with a range of needs. It takes a special calling to serve families and community in this way. They are our kindred spirits in service to this mission, particularly including those that step up to care for members of their own families through kinship care,” said Director Tony Catone. “South Carolina’s need for foster parents is not unlike other states across the country, and we will continue our efforts, alongside our community partners and providers, to recruit, train, support and retain new foster parents to serve the children and youth in our care. We need more foster homes in every county so children can be placed in their home communities. And our greatest need for foster parents in South Carolina remains family like foster homes that are committed to serving older youth and teenagers, groups of siblings and medically complex youth.”

This effort directly supports President Trump’s Executive Order “Fostering the Future for American Children and Families ” and First Lady Melania Trump’s whole-of-government commitment to improving outcomes for children in foster care.

South Carolina continues to make improvements in child welfare, including reductions in entries into care, a strong ‘kin-first’ placement approach, and has made significant progress in safety, placement, and permanency metrics as part of the Michelle H. Federal Settlement Agreement.

For South Carolina households who want to learn more about becoming a foster parent or supporting children and families in their communities, visit heartfeltcalling.org

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Spoleto Festival USA Announces Free Simulcasts of Two Sold-Out Programs 

CHARLESTON, SC — May 6, 2026 — In response to overwhelming demand, Spoleto Festival USA, in partnership with SC250, will present free simulcasts of two sold-out Festival programs: An Evening with Ken Burns Presented by Bank of America and George + George. These special presentations create new opportunities for audiences to experience two of the Festival’s most anticipated events as part of the nationwide America 250 commemoration. 

Presented at the Charleston Visitor Center, the simulcasts extend access beyond the theater, inviting the public to gather in a shared civic setting for live screenings of programs that explore history, democracy, identity, and national reflection. Both events are part of Spoleto Festival USA’s America 250 programming and reflect a shared commitment to making meaningful artistic experiences available to broader audiences. 

An Evening with Ken Burns, Presented by Bank of America, is a luminous celebration of America’s 250th year featuring the acclaimed filmmaker in a live program reflecting on the struggles and ideals that shaped a nation and transformed the world. Through sweeping music, vivid imagery, and Burns’s signature storytelling, the program draws from The American Revolution to illuminate both a war for independence and a revolution of ideas—an upheaval whose promises and contradictions still echo today. Part conversation, part concert, this narrative and musical meditation honors the spirit of independence and the enduring pursuit of the principles on which America was founded. 

George + George, a world premiere by Festival favorites Denis O’Hare and Lisa Peterson, is a comedic romp through the American Revolution that reimagines the founding era with sharp humor and theatrical flair. Set at Valley Forge in 1778, the inventive new work imagines George Washington rallying his troops by staging Joseph Addison’s Cato—despite a colonial ban on theater—only to face an unexpected twist when King George III learns of the production and decides to attend incognito. Blending satire, history, and questions of democracy and leadership, the work offers a timely and entertaining reflection on the ideals at the heart of the America 250 commemoration. 

“These simulcasts are a direct response to extraordinary public interest in these programs,” said Spoleto General Director and CEO Mena Mark Hanna. “We’re pleased to work with SC250 to create new ways for audiences to participate in these important conversations and to ensure these experiences can reach beyond the walls of the performance venue.” 

As South Carolina’s official commission assigned to encourage and promote the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution,SC250 is partnering with organizations across the state to support programs that engage communities in reflection on the nation’s history, ideals, and evolving story. The Spoleto Festival’s simulcasts are funded in large part through a grant from SC250. 

“Charleston is a place where history is not only remembered but actively experienced, and these simulcasts carry that legacy forward,” said Marissa Sams, Executive Director of SC250 Charleston. “Together with Spoleto Festival USA, we are proud to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary through cultural programming that will now be available to the wider public.” 

By pairing artistic excellence with accessibility, the simulcasts underscore a shared commitment to civic dialogue, cultural reflection, and public engagement at a pivotal national moment. 

Simulcast Details 
Simulcast of An Evening with Ken Burns,Presented by Bank of America 
Wednesday, May 27 at 8:00 p.m. 
Charleston Visitor Center 
Free 

Simulcast of George + George 
Saturday, May 30 at 5:00 p.m. 
Charleston Visitor Center 
Free 

Tickets and information are now available at spoletousa.org. 

SPOLETO FESTIVAL USA 

Spoleto Festival USA was founded in 1977 by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Gian Carlo Menotti, who sought to create an American counterpart to the annual Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto, Italy, which he had founded in 1958. Spoleto Festival USA is internationally recognized as America’s premier performing arts festival. For 17 days and nights each spring, Spoleto Festival USA fills Charleston’s historic theaters, churches, and outdoor spaces with performances in opera; theater; dance; andchamber, symphonic, choral, and jazz music. With General Director & CEO Mena Mark Hanna at its helm, the 2026 season takes place from May 22 to June 7 in various locations throughout Charleston. Spoleto Festival USA is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization. 

SC250 CHARLESTON 
SC250 Charleston is the Charleston-area’s official commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, honoring its rich history while inspiring future generations. The people of Charleston played a crucial role in the American Revolution and in the advancement of our nation’s ideals. SC250 Charleston’s mission is to explore their myriad stories, and to educate and inspire the public through commemorative events and educational programs so that everyone may rightly see themselves as a part of America’s story. Through a series of events, programs, and community initiatives, SC250 Charleston brings together residents, visitors, historians, artists, and cultural leaders to reflect on Charleston’s past, celebrate its present, and shape its future. For more information about SC250 Charleston, visit sc250charleston.org 

SC AMERICAN REVOLUTION SESTERCENTENNIAL COMMISSION (SC250) 
Within the last few years, the South Carolina American Revolution SestercentennialCommission (SC250) has awarded more than $11 million in grants across the state with upward of $4 million distributed to Charleston-area organizations. Since the Commission’sinception, a significant portion of its grant funds have focused on historic Revolutionary era site preservation and interpretation, including, for example, the locations of the Battle of Parker’s Ferry in Colleton County, Eutaw Springs in Orangeburg County, and Fort Fair Lawn in Berkeley County. For more information on the South Carolina American RevolutionSestercentennial Commission (SC250), visit southcarolina250.com. 

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The Citadel Alumni Association, or CAA, welcomed Distinguished Alumni to campus for special recognition events on February 27, honoring those who took what they learned inside the barracks and put it to work in the world.

Since the first six cadets received their diplomas in 1846, The Citadel has graduated more than 62,000 alumni. Of those, a small number have been named “Distinguished Alumni” by the CAA — individuals whose careers reflect not just personal success, but the kind of leadership and impact the school was built to produce.

“These alumni have carried The Citadel’s values into every corner of the world and into every imaginable walk of life, and we are honored to welcome them home,” said Todd Davis, president of The Citadel Alumni Association and a member of the Class of 1985. “The CAA takes great pride in ensuring their achievements are recognized where they belong — on this campus, as part of the Long Gray Line.”

The nomination process is overseen by the CAA’s Distinguished Citadel Alumni Committee. To qualify, alumni must have demonstrated the kind of achievement that stands out — whether that means one defining moment or a career’s worth of contributions that added up to something significant.

The honorees don’t fit a single mold. Generals share the room with teachers, judges, executives and  public servants. What they have in common is less about what field they chose and more about how they showed up in it — as principled leaders and citizen-soldiers who are ready to do the work.

While the rain cancelled Friday’s parade, Distinguished Alumni and their guests gathered with CAA leadership at the Holliday Alumni Center. Each honoree received a certificate marking both their service to The Citadel and what they’ve accomplished since leaving it.

David Rawlinson, a graduate of the Class of 1998 and President and CEO of QVC Group, Inc., described it as a deeply humbling experience that reminded him of the institution’s role in his success.

“The Citadel is a place where I think, relative to the average institution, you live history every day. And part of the history is the people who have gone through the community and done well. And the fact that there are so many people who have not just done well, but they’ve done good in really inspiring ways. To be put on a list that includes those people, some of the best people to ever step foot on this campus, is deeply humbling,” said Rawlinson. “The other thing I’d say is it’s a reminder of the unbelievably critical role The Citadel played in my success. And I think it’s easy to get some distance and to forget just how formative the time here was. I mean, it really is a unique leadership laboratory.”

The Distinguished Alumni program is more than a list of names. The biographies of honorees trace the arc of American history itself — through wars, social change, technological transformation and civic progress.

To view the full list of Distinguished Alumni and their biographies, visit the CAA website.

Source: The Citadel Today

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Cover Photo Credit: The Holliday Alumni Center on March 2, 2026 in Charleston, South Carolina.(Ed Wray/The Citadel).

By Mark A Leon

Dr. Alex Rich arrived at the Gibbes Museum of Art with a clear mission: to honor the institution’s long Southern legacy while broadening its appeal and educational reach. In his first year as President and CEO, Rich has already moved decisively to put that vision into practice, and his inaugural project—a focused exhibition of Auguste Rodin sculptures—serves as a useful lens on his leadership style, curatorial priorities, and plans for growth.

A scholar who describes himself as “the professor” at heart, Rich came to museum work from an academic background and a strong belief in public-facing education. He told us that stepping away from a tenure-track role and into the museum world was driven by a desire to make art both “educational and fun.” That dual orientation—rigorous scholarship paired with broad accessibility—has shaped every major decision he’s made since arriving in Charleston. Rich’s early months were marked by rapid immersion into the Gibbes’ history and collection; during his finalist interview he had his first visit to the museum, and that initial encounter sparked the Rodin idea: “One of the first things I thought was a Rodin would look really great right there in the transept,” he said, imagining a powerful silhouette greeting visitors as they entered.

The Rodin exhibition is notable for its fast turnaround and for how it leverages relationships to accelerate institutional ambitions. Rich drew on a prior long-term loan relationship with the Cantor Foundation from his previous museum position to bring the sculptures to the Gibbes. He described the project’s intent succinctly: Rodin functions as an immediate, recognizable draw—“you walk into a museum, you see Rodin sculptures, and you know that you are in a great museum”—while also acting as a bridge to the museum’s regional strengths. The exhibition’s layout reflects this thinking. Rather than forcing a single path, Rich and his team designed multiple entry points—three Shades on the ground floor paired with a larger upstairs presentation—so visitors can start anywhere and still receive a layered, coherent narrative. “You really can start anywhere,” he explained, noting that the curatorial texts are tailored for each room to create distinct but complementary experiences.

Rich’s leadership philosophy is grounded in five pillars he uses to describe the Gibbes: scholarly, educational, unique, aspirational and accessible. These words are not aspirational slogans alone; they inform programming choices and institutional priorities. The museum’s regional identity—its 170-year focus on American art told through a Southern lens—will remain central, Rich emphasized, even as the institution seeks a broader national profile. The challenge, he said, is “thread[ing] that needle finely”—holding on to the Gibbes’ particular mission while expanding its scope so it can be counted among the nation’s great art museums.

Community engagement and accessibility are core to Rich’s agenda. He wants the museum to be both a rigorous center for scholarship and a welcoming public space. He repeatedly framed the museum as a place for many kinds of encounters: refuge, education, and delight. “Everything we do has to meet two expectations. It has to be educational and it has to be fun,” he told us, a mantra that informs programming from family events to lectures and community workshops. That commitment is visible in current and recent initiatives—from community-created scroll installations to innovative pop-up events—designed to break down barriers and counteract the elitist tropes sometimes associated with museums.

The Rodin exhibition also illustrates Rich’s curatorial intent to use canonical work as an invitation to local discovery. By pairing Rodin with works by Charleston artists such as Leo Twiggs, the museum aims to convert the initial draw of a famous name into sustained engagement with local and regional art. “Visitors attracted by Rodin may leave having discovered Charleston artists,” Rich said, underlining the museum’s strategy to make every major show a portal to its permanent collection.

Looking ahead, the Gibbes’ expansion is perhaps the clearest indicator of Rich’s long-term priorities. A new wing scheduled to open in about a year will add more than 6,000 square feet to the museum’s footprint, including roughly 3,000 square feet of flexible galleries and a dedicated Center for Education on the ground floor. Rich stressed that the expansion is not merely about square footage; it’s a strategic investment in the museum’s educational mission and its capacity to serve a growing, diverse audience. The new ground floor education center will include multiple classrooms, dedicated early-childhood learning space, and areas for K–12 and adult programming—an explicit rebuttal to the trend of shrinking museum education departments. As Rich noted, the Gibbes was founded on education in 1858, and the expansion is a recommitment to that founding ideal.

For Rich, travel and study of other institutions inform innovation at home. He shared how recent visits, such as to the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art, offered insights on spatial flexibility and multi-entry exhibition strategies that resonated with the Gibbes’ own curatorial experiments. That openness to learning—combined with an ability to marshal relationships, act quickly, and center education—defines his early tenure.

In short, Dr. Alex Rich’s first year at the Gibbes has been about aligning legacy with ambition. By staging a high‑visibility Rodin installation, articulating clear institutional pillars, and advancing a significant expansion that places education at the center, he has signaled a roadmap for the museum: maintain its Southern identity, welcome a broad public, and build the infrastructure to educate generations to come. As he put it, museums should be places where people both “recharge and refresh”—and under his leadership, the Gibbes is positioning itself to be precisely that kind of place for Charleston and beyond.

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Fairies & Flowers Opens Memorial Day Weekend, May 22–July 12, 2026 — Free with General Admission

CHARLESTON, SC – Magnolia Plantation & Gardens announces Fairies & Flowers, a new summer exhibition featuring 20+ handcrafted fairy dwellings installed throughout the historic gardens by 30 Tri-County artists, on view May 22 through July 12, 2026. Opening Memorial Day Weekend, the exhibition is included with general garden admission.

Inspired by the beloved, long-running Wee Faerie Village at the Florence Griswold Museum in Connecticut, Fairies & Flowers was developed with guidance from their team — bringing a similar sense of fairy village wonder to the Charleston community and the historic landscape of Magnolia’s gardens.

Placed along winding garden paths and within the natural landscape, each miniature dwelling reflects its maker’s creativity, with intricate details and touches of storytelling that invite close looking and quiet discovery. A simple “Can you find?” prompt adds an interactive element at each location, making the exhibition an engaging experience for guests of all ages. Visitors may come across a fairy lighthouse tucked among the greenery near the Ashley River, a tiny bookshop and bakery, or even a miniature museum, spa, or quilt shop — each offering a glimpse into a small, imaginative world where nature and creativity meet.

Participating artists include a mix of established and emerging talent: Jenna York, 2024 Griffith-Reyburn Lowcountry Artist of the Year; Sheila Preston-Ford, president of the Summerville Artist Guild; Bartel Visser, who spent 25 years contributing to the Macy’s Flower Show at Herald Square in New York City; and members of the Charleston Garden Club. Students and faculty from the West Ashley Center for Advanced Studies and Charleston School of the Arts also contribute works to the exhibition.

“Magnolia has always been a place where nature invites imagination,” said Susan Shallo, CEO of Magnolia Plantation & Gardens. “Fairies & Flowers lets visitors slow down and find something extraordinary hiding in plain sight. We’re proud to showcase the creativity of artists from right here in the Tri-County area — and to give our guests a reason to look at these gardens through entirely new eyes.”

Admission

Adults: $32 (online) / $35 (in person)

Seniors (62+) & Military: $29

Children (5–13): $16

Ages 4 & under: Free (ticket required)

Open daily 9 a.m.–5 p.m., May 22–July 12, 2026

Tickets are available at the gate and online: https://www.magnoliaplantation.com/events/fairies-and-flowers 

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The Palmetto Medal recognizes exceptional performance reflecting great credit on The Citadel and the state of South Carolina. Established by the Board of Visitors, the award is presented to those whose service to the college or state is particularly noteworthy. With the exception of honorary degrees, the Palmetto Medal is the highest honor awarded by The Citadel.

Three individuals who embody the college’s definition of principled leaders were chosen for the honor this year. Members of the Board of Visitors presented the Palmetto Medal awards during a military Jeep review parade on March 21.

The citations for the award recipients are below.

Gerald V. Baysden, Class of 1971

The Citadel proudly bestowed the Palmetto Medal in December 2025 upon Mr. Gerald V. Baysden, Class of 1971, in recognition of his exceptional professional achievements, devoted service to his alma mater, and steadfast commitment to his community, state, and nation. Sadly, he would pass away in January 2026. His Palmetto Medal Award Citation reads:

Following his graduation from The Citadel and subsequent military service, Mr. Baysden embarked on a distinguished 45-year career in banking and financial services. Rising to senior vice president at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, he was known as a trusted advisor whose integrity and principled leadership guided families, businesses and charitable institutions.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Mr. Baysden gave generously of his time and talent to civic and charitable organizations across the Carolinas. His support for pediatric cancer initiatives and advocacy for families in crisis reflected a lifelong commitment to serving others.

Mr. Baysden’s devotion to The Citadel was equally profound. He served in leadership roles with the Charlotte Area Citadel Club and The Citadel Brigadier Foundation, and contributed significantly to athletics, scholarships and leader development. A member of The Citadel Legacy Society, the Society of 1842 and the Order of the Tartan, his philanthropy had a lasting impact.

For his distinguished career, steadfast service and embodiment of the values of honor, duty and respect, The Citadel proudly honors Gerald V. Baysden with the Palmetto Medal, presented earlier this year during a private family service before his untimely passing in January.

Cadet Lt. Col. Noah Miller

Cadet Noah l. Miller serves as the 2025-2026 regimental academic officer of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets. In this role, he provides leadership to 26 battalion and company academic officer groups and helps coordinate initiatives that support the academic success of the Corps.

Throughout his time at The Citadel, Cadet Miller has demonstrated extraordinary academic achievement and leadership. A double major in political science and English and a member of the Distinguished Scholars and Honors Programs, he has maintained a 4.0 GPA while balancing significant responsibilities.

His leadership extends beyond his regimental duties. He has served as president of the Honors Program, student advisory council and editor-in-chief of the Gold Star Journal, and he has supported cadet development through tutoring and mentorship. He also represented The Citadel as captain of the mock trial team, earning recognition for his preparation and professionalism in competition.

Cadet Miller is committed to service and the well-being of others through civic engagement in South Carolina and volunteer leadership on campus and in the community.

In recognition of his outstanding leadership, scholarly excellence and consistent service to The Citadel and South Carolina, the Board of Visitors proudly awards Cadet Noah Miller the 2026 Palmetto Medal.

Cadet Col. David Ropp

Cadet David Michael Ropp serves as The Citadel’s 2025-2026 regimental commander, the highest-ranking cadet in the South Carolina Corps of Cadets. He assumed this responsibility after progressing steadily through the ranks — from Echo Company clerk and company drill master to 5th battalion sergeant major and commander of the Junior Sword Arch.

Cadet Ropp has balanced significant leadership roles with a demanding academic schedule. An exercise science major with a chemistry minor and a member of the Honors Program, he has earned consistent recognition on the President’s List and Dean’s List, received gold stars and been selected for the Distinguished Scholars Program. He is also a member of the Summerall Guards.

Service plays a central role in Cadet Ropp’s leadership, particularly in the medical field he plans to enter. He has volunteered at the Medical University of South Carolina, completed extensive medical shadowing, worked in a medical office internship and participated in The Citadel’s Kenya medical camp in Nairobi, demonstrating his commitment to serving others.

In recognition of his outstanding leadership, academic excellence and dedicated service to The Citadel and the people of South Carolina, the Board of Visitors proudly awards Cadet David Ropp the 2026 Palmetto Medal.

Source: The Citadel Today

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(Charleston, SC) A public commemorative reading in the Great Hall of the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon will be held at 6:00 pm, Wednesday, May 20, 2026 of Henry Felder’s Declaration of Separation from the English King for the colony of South Carolina, on the anniversary of its first public address in 1776.  The 30 minute event will include the backstory of why the declaration was written by Mr. Felder and the cost suffered by him and his family as a result. 

An introduction by Felder descendant, Brian Eleazer, will precede the reading of the text by Henry Felder’s sixth great grandson, nationally known actor, director and writer, Clarence Felder, and members of his award-winning film and theater company, Actors’ Theater of South Carolina, followed by a short reception.

Swiss-German immigrant, Henry Felder, farmer, merchant, and foreman of the Orangeburg District British grand jury, suffered injustice along with other colonists, and finally reached a limit to his patience with corruption from magistrates in the judicial system in his district of Orangeburg, South Carolina. He expressed his grievances officially in an Address and Declaration of Separation from the English King on May 20th, 1776, to the Chief Justice of South Carolina, William Henry Drayton. The document was signed by Felder and eleven other members of his committee. The address was presented roughly five weeks before Thomas Jefferson delivered his first draft of the Declaration of Independence.

A portion of Felder’s Declaration is in the award-winning docudrama film, All For Liberty, which explores the journey of Henry Felder and his family in the War for American Independence. It stars Clarence Felder, supported by a large cast.  In the course of his journey as a statesman, Henry Felder became a captain, led a militia unit with his seven sons, was tasked by the provincial government to make gunpowder, gather funds, collect artillery and purchase cannon for the Continental army in South Carolina.

Joining Mr. Felder will be co-stars, wife, Chris Weatherhead, Michael Easler (who portrayed Governor Rutledge), actress, Karen DeLoach, and journalist, Mark Leon.

The event is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by Actors’ Theater of South Carolina and the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon. For further information, call producing director of Actors’ Theater of South Carolina, Chris Weatherhead-Felder, 843-697-9607, or email at: CCFelder@aol.com

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By Mark A. Leon

For 26 years, Carrie Knotts has shown up with quiet consistency—shaping young lives in the classroom, anchoring her family at home, and answering a calling rooted not in recognition, but in impact. As a middle school teacher at Thomas C. Cario Middle School in Mount Pleasant, she’s built a life defined by service, one that rarely pauses for the spotlight. That’s what made what happened next so extraordinary. Without her knowledge, 15 parents, colleagues, and family members came together to nominate her as a hometown hero, earning her a once-in-a-lifetime flight with the Blue Angels at Joint Base Charleston. For Carrie, the moment landed with more than excitement—it carried the full weight of a life spent giving to others, now reflected back in the most unforgettable way.

At her core, Carrie is an educator who has always made space for the students who don’t quite fit the mold. Over the course of a typical year, she reaches hundreds of middle schoolers, many of whom struggle in traditional classrooms. Her philosophy is simple but powerful: every student deserves a place to “light up.” Whether through hands-on building projects or immersive flight simulations, Carrie creates moments where curiosity takes over and confidence begins to grow.

One student’s story captures her impact. After engaging in a classroom flight simulation inspired by the Battle of Midway, he discovered a passion for aviation that is now shaping his future — including summer flight training and a potential career path. For Carrie, those moments are the real victories: when a door opens that a student didn’t even know existed.

That mindset didn’t come from nowhere. Carrie often reflects on the influence of her own teachers, especially a high school mentor whose warmth and enthusiasm left a lasting imprint. It’s a legacy she has carried forward — the belief that encouragement, given consistently and sincerely, can alter the course of a young person’s life.

But her story extends far beyond the classroom.

A mother of three, Carrie’s life has been equally shaped by family, faith, and resilience. Those closest to her describe a woman of quiet determination — someone who approaches life’s biggest decisions with intention and follows through with unwavering commitment. That steadiness was tested in 2020 when she was diagnosed with stage-two cancer, just as the world was shutting down due to COVID-19.

What followed was one of the most difficult chapters of her life. Carrie endured 13 rounds of chemotherapy, often attending treatments alone due to pandemic restrictions. As she put it, she remembers “walking in with all your stuff, going into battle, that alone, that was, that was hard.” The isolation was profound, the uncertainty constant. And yet, even in the midst of it, she found ways to remain connected — continuing her work in education through virtual check-ins, offering stability to students while navigating her own storm.

At home, her family became both her support system and her inspiration. Her children stepped up in remarkable ways, particularly her daughter, who took on added responsibility during an already vulnerable time. In the quiet moments between treatments and lockdown life, Carrie found strength not just in perseverance, but in togetherness — an unexpected gift during an otherwise isolating experience.

She emerged from that season changed, but not diminished. If anything, her sense of purpose deepened. She became even more committed to showing up for others: “I insist that they don’t do anything alone. I’m like, if you want me to go, I’m going because I know what it’s like to go to all those appointments by yourself.” Determined that no one in her orbit would ever feel alone in their hardest moments, Carrie now channels her experience into compassion and action.

So when the opportunity to fly with the Blue Angels surfaced — something she initially discovered almost by accident on social media — her reaction was disbelief. She didn’t see herself as someone who stood out. But to those around her, the nomination made perfect sense. It was a reflection of years of quiet influence, of lives touched, of a community rallying behind someone who had given so much.

The flight itself was nothing short of extraordinary.

Encircled by her parents, husband, and two sons, this was never a journey she took alone—it unfolded as a shared experience, marked by a powerful sense of togetherness that stretched from eager anticipation to quiet nerves. One of the most moving moments came just seconds after takeoff. As Carrie climbed swiftly to 8,000 feet with Blue Angels #7 Lt. Ronny Hafeza, piercing through the clouds, her mother—standing among media and military liaisons—watched with pride and emotion, tears slipping softly down her face.

Strapped into an F/A-18, Carrie experienced the raw intensity of high-performance flight — the crushing G-forces, the precision of each maneuver, the humbling awareness of just how much discipline and training it takes to make such power look effortless. There were moments of exhilaration and moments of physical challenge, including witnessing firsthand how the body responds under extreme conditions.

But even in the sky, Carrie remained who she has always been: a teacher.

She absorbed every detail, every lesson, already thinking about how to bring the experience back to her students. The physics of flight, the importance of preparation, the discipline behind the spectacle — it all became material for future classrooms. More importantly, the experience reinforced a message she has long shared: don’t close doors on possibilities.

For Carrie, the flight wasn’t about the thrill. It was about perspective.

It was about showing her students that extraordinary opportunities can come from unexpected places. That dreams are worth speaking out loud. That sometimes, the most remarkable moments in life come not from seeking recognition, but from simply doing the work — day in and day out — with heart, humility, and purpose.

In the end, Carrie Knotts didn’t just take to the skies over Charleston.

She carried with her the stories of every student she’s encouraged, every challenge she’s overcome, and every quiet act of dedication that led to that moment — a hometown hero, lifted not just by jet engines, but by a community that believes in her.

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