Colonel Myron C Harrington Award
This annual award honors Colonel Myron Harrington, Citadel graduate and former faculty member, and former president of the Charleston Foreign Affairs Forum, predecessor of the World Affairs Council of Charleston. It is given annually to a Citadel cadet with outstanding academic qualifications, especially in the study of international affairs.
Col. Harrington passed away in February 2025. Given his achievements, his service to our country, to The Citadel, and to our community, and his early leadership of our Council at a critical time of its establishment, our Board of Directors decided that we should continue to honor his legacy by bestowing the Award today, as we have done for 19 years.
The Harrington Award is this Council’s highest form of recognition. Given the man whom it honors, it is not bestowed lightly. Col. Harrington's military career exemplified the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps, and his civilian contributions were equally distinguished. He was awarded the Navy Cross, the nation’s second highest medal for valor in combat, during the battle for Hue in the Vietnam war. He served in Australia, England, Japan, and Lebanon before returning to teach at his alma mater as professor of naval science. He was later appointed headmaster of Trident Academy, nationally known for its dedication to students with learning disabilities. Col. Harrington served on the Board of Visitors of The Citadel which bestowed on him its highest honor, the Palmetto Medal Award, and he was active in a wide range of civic organizations, including those working with veterans.
It is with these distinctions in mind that the Council requests The Citadel each year to identify a Cadet who has distinguished him or herself in international studies as worthy of the Harrington Award. Dr. Jack Porter, chair of the Department of Political Science, directs the selection. The award is presented by WACC member Caroline Thibault.
The Harrington Award was instituted thanks to the early leadership of Mr. John Settle and CresCom Bank, now United Bank, together with several individual donors, and we thank United Bank for its continued support of the Award.
2025 AWARD WINNER
CADET Andrew palmer
As Battalion Commander of the SC Corps of Cadets, Cadet Andrew Palmer is responsible for the training and welfare of over 500 cadets and is the second highest-ranking senior at The Citadel. He was one of a select few nationally to receive a 4-year Air Force ROTC scholarship and one of only 10 Cadets in the Distinguished Scholars Program. Cadet Palmer also interned for a U.S. Congressman in Washington, DC; served as personal aide to a member of the British Parliament in London; and interned at the Institute of Economic Affairs in London. Cadet Palmer’s ROTC affiliation led him to programs with NATO in Brussels, to Cyprus, and to U.S. bases in South Korea. He led a group of cadets in a service program in Rwanda and Kenya and served as assistant editor of The Citadel’s undergraduate academic journal. Finally, he was assistant team captain of the Citadel’s hurling team.
Cadet Palmer will be on a year-long ROTC recruiting assignment in Milwaukee to be followed by Air Force pilot training in Columbus, Mississippi.
2024 AWARD WINNER
Mr. AUrel EDYVEAN
Mr. Aurel Edyvean is a U.S. Navy veteran who served for six years on active duty, including three deployments that supported the United States in our war against the Islamic State in the Middle East, known as Operation Inherent Resolve. This service was followed by two years in the Navy Reserve.
At The Citadel, Mr. Edyvean's academic excellence is no less noteworthy, majoring in political science, specializing in international politics and military affairs. He is on the Dean’s list and has received six Gold Stars for his class ranking. Mr. Edyvean is dedicated to veterans’ causes, currently serving as vice president of the Citadel Student Veterans Association after being its president in 2023. After graduation he looks forward to a career with the Department of Defense.
2023 AWARD WINNER
CADET Taylor Swiger
Hailing from Hedgesville, West Virginia, Cadet Taylor Swiger has been studying at The Citadel on an active duty Army scholarship and will soon be commissioned an officer of the U.S. Army. At The Citadel, Swiger is Palmetto Battalion Commander, no small commitment as it requires her to plan the operations and resources needed for the Battalion’s Army ROTC program at The Citadel. Within the Corps of Cadets community, she is Kilo Company Commander.
Her academic excellence is no less outstanding, majoring in political science and specializing in international politics and military affairs. She was seven times on the Dean’s List and received six Gold Stars for her class ranking. Her wider community engagement includes being instructor for the NCAA women’s Rifle Club and vice president of The Citadel Gospel Choir.
2022 AWARD WINNER
CADET ALEC HART
It is especially fitting that Cadet Alec Hart, from Dighton, MA, is the Harrington Award recipient for 2022 as he will soon be commissioned an officer of the United States Army.
Studying at The Citadel on an active duty Army scholarship, Cadet Hart is now Battalion Executive Officer for the Army ROTC program. This no small commitment as it requires him to plan the operations and resources needed for the entire Army ROTC program at The Citadel. Within the Corps of Cadets community, he is currently Vice Chair of Education for the Honors Committee. He is a Citadel delegate to the International Model NATO and to the Student Conference on National Affairs at Texas A&M University.
Alec Hart’s academic excellence is no less outstanding, majoring in Political Science, specializing in international politics and military affairs. He is on the Commandant’s List, the President’s List, and the Dean’s List, and is recipient of the 2021 Association of the U.S. Army Award. His wider community engagement includes volunteering at Project Street and at the South Carolina Science Olympiad State Competition.
2021 AWARD WINNER
CADET JOSEPH FIELD
Colonel Myron Harrington and Cadet Joe Field
Cadet Joseph Field, from Bettendorf, Iowa, will soon be commissioned as a Marine Corps officer, thereby following Col. Harrington’s distinguished precedent and example. Indeed, Cadet Field’s commitment to the Marine Corps has been an integral part of his Citadel experience. He is presently Company Commander of the Marine Naval ROTC Unit, having earlier been Company First Sergeant responsible for the well-being of 120 Cadets in Victor Company, and Company Gunnery Sergeant. He created, oversaw and executed the physical training plan for the Marine Corps Unit at The Citadel. Other accomplishments include service as Operations Manager of the Semper Fi Society and Club President of the Young Americans for Liberty at The Citadel.
His academic excellence is no less outstanding, majoring in Political Science, international relations, and Foreign Military Relations. He is a Member of the Citadel’s Honor Program, on the Dean’s list for four consecutive years, and the recipient of the Military Order of the World Wars Award of Merit which is presented to one member of a year’s class for each branch of service.
2020 AWARD WINNER
LT. ADAM NIEHOFF
Cadet Adam Niehoff hails from Wantage, NJ. Lt. Niehoff is a Marine Naval ROTC scholarship winner, has studied at the Marine Corps Officer Training School, and trained with a Marine infantry company in Quantico, Virginia. Here at the Citadel, he served as a Battalion Commander, commanding 400 cadets.
His academic excellence is no less outstanding, ranking on the Dean’s List, the President’s List, and Commandant’s List. He is the recipient of three academic scholarships. He has devoted special effort to studying German and is a member of the German National Honors Society and given much time to campus outreach activities. On May 11, Adam Niehoff was commissioned as a Marine officer, thereby following Col. Harrington’s distinguished precedent and example.
2019 AWARD WINNER
CADET ANDREW CHRISTENSEN
A member of the Naval ROTC Marine Contingent, Cadet Andrew Christensen is from Tucson, Arizona, but graduated from high school in Melbourne, Florida. He has held a variety of leadership billets, including Battalion Sergeant Major, advising the commander of 430 cadets, and Company Commander, directly responsible for 96 cadets of all classes.
Beyond the Citadel campus, Cadet Christensen has worked as a lab technician, assisting a team of engineers in data analysis and the testing of new products, gaining considerable experience in using Microsoft Office and various laboratory test machines and tools, skills that prepare him well for the future. His study abroad experience was in Sao Paolo, Brazil but he also spent many months as a church missionary in Argentina, acquiring linguistic fluency that made him a Spanish Supplemental Instructor at the Citadel.
Cadet Christensen has an outstanding academic record. He is a major in Political Science with a GPA of 4.0. He is a member of the Citadel Honors College. He will graduate from The Citadel in May and will be commissioned into the United States Marine Corps. He received a Special Achievement Award from the Commanding Officer of the Marine Corps Officer Candidate Training School for graduating among the top 10 percent of 270 officer candidates.
2018 AWARD WINNER
CADET JOSHUA C. BOWMAN
Both a member of the ROTC and of the National Guard, Cadet Bowman, from Columbia, SC, is a member of Romeo Company and an academic officer responsible for the academic proficiency of 120 Cadets: establishing study groups, tutoring, and devising innovative ways to promote effective time management and study habits. He is also a Platoon leader, responsible for training, counseling, and mentoring 40 ROTC cadets.
Beyond the Citadel campus, Cadet Bowman has served over the past three years as understudy of a 2nd Lieutenant at the 678th Air Defense Artillery Brigade of the U.S. Army National Guard in Eastover, SC. He was an intern in the Washington, DC, office of Congressman Joe Wilson, assisting in a variety of functions. He also worked in the Columbia office of Senator Tim Scott on constituent services.
A member of the Citadel lacrosse team, Cadet Bowman has an outstanding academic record. He is a major in Political Science, International Politics and Military Affairs with a cumulative GPA of 3.95. He is a member of the Phi Kappa Phi honor society, of the National Political Honor Society, and of the National Leadership Honor Society. He will graduate from The Citadel in May and be commissioned into the Maryland Army National Guard as a Military Intelligence Officer.
He conducted analytic research in support of the Horn of Africa Joint Task Force and, not surprisingly, seeks a long-term career in issues involving national security, foreign policy, or intelligence analysis, applying his passion for problem-solving and political analysis, as well as his critical thinking and writing skills. Put all of this together, and there are surely few who have so well taken advantage of all that the Citadel offers in embarking on a career embracing military training and service and national and global security issues.
2017 award winner
SSgt jeffrey smeriglio
Originally from Greenwich, CT, Staff Sergeant Smeriglio enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 2007. Upon completion of basic training at Parris Island he was promoted to Private First Class and completed Marine Combat Training. Deployed to Camp Lejeune, he was an honors graduate of 2nd Battalion 6th Marines Corporals Course.
In August 2010, Corporal Smeriglio deployed to Afghanistan as Platoon Ammunition chief. In April 2011, he re-enlisted and was promoted to Sergeant, returning to the United States the following month. He has held a variety of leadership positions at the Marine platoon and company level and has been active throughout as a Martial Arts instructor. In June 2012, he was selected for the Marine Corps Commissioning Education Program. He completed Officer Candidate School in 2013, and came to The Citadel, being promoted to Staff Sergeant.
He is a double major in Political Science International and Military Affairs and Spanish, receiving the Gold Star award for a 4.0 grade point average in every semester at the Citadel. He has also received the Daughters of the American Revolution award for demonstrating qualities of dependability and good character, leadership ability and a deep understanding of the patriotic importance of ROTC training.
Jeffrey Smeriglio’s military awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. He currently serves the local community as a medical translator at the Dreamcenter free medical clinic in Mt. Pleasant.
Luis Miguel Parrado
Originally from Columbus, Georgia, Mr. Parrado is a senior cadet at The Citadel who will graduate in May 2016 with honors in Political Science with a focus on Pre-law and Legal Studies. He is an Eagle Scout and a Citadel Scholar who twice received the Star of the West Summer Scholarship, studying at universities in Estonia and Latvia and at The Hague University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands. He was an intern with the Superior Court of Muscogee County in Columbus and in the Washington office of U.S. Representative Marshall Sanford.
Captain of The Citadel’s Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl Team since 2013, he researches and plans case studies, assisting the faculty coach at the Regional Ethics Bowl in Florida. Both in 2015 and 2016, Mr. Parrado was a Citadel delegate to the NATO Bowl, held in Washington, where he represented Canada in the “Emerging Threats Committee.” He is also Editor of the Gold Star Journal, The Citadel’s scholarly journal, compiling and editing academic paper submissions, also formatting the paper and photograph submissions.
Within the Corps of Cadets, Mr. Parrado is a Company Commander, responsible for approximately 100 cadets, including their morale, academic proficiency, military training, and intramural athletics, and provides feedback to the Commandant for the improvement and daily functioning of the Corps. He is on the Dean’s List, the President’s List and the Commandant’s Distinguished Service List, and is a member of the Pi Sigma Alpha and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Societies.
