I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

Dr. Plemmons Partici-

pates in SC Cyber

Luncheon at Trident

Technical College

2

Formation of the

Department of

Engineering

Leadership and

Program Management

(ELPM) Advisory

Board.

4

Dr. Graves Receives

Certificate of Com-

mendation from The

Citadel.

7

PM NEWS Department of Engineering Leadership & Program Management

2 0 1 5 – 2 0 1 6 V O L U M E 6

S P E C I A L P O I N T S

O F I N T E R E S T :

Dr. Gerry Graves

Receives Certificate

of Commendation

from The Citadel.

The Citadel Project

Management

Students Visit

Clemson Energy

Innovation Center.

Spring 2016 PMGt

672 Students

conduct Executive

Leadership

Interviews.

MSPM Program Celebrates Achieving PMI

GAC Accreditation

On 25 September, 2015 approximately 110 people attended the reception and

celebration to witness the Citadel’s Masters of Science in Project Management

(MSPM) being awarded The Project Management Institute (PMI) Global

Accreditation Center (GAC) accreditation. The attendees were composed of

students, faculty, alumni, advisory board members, and other leaders from the

Citadel and School of Engineering. This 3 year effort culminated in June 2015

with the Citadel MSPM becoming only the 26th program in the Unites States to

earn this academic distinction.

Speakers included Dr. Chuck Skipper (Engineering Leadership and Program

Management Department Head and MSPM Program Director), Mr. Tim Parker

(Alumni and Adjunct Faculty), Mr. Chris VanMetre (Chair of the ELPM

Advisory Board), Dr. Ron Welch (Dean, School of Engineering), Dr. Tracey

Richardson (Faculty at Embry Riddle University and PMI GAC representative),

and Dr. Connie Book (Citadel Provost). The talks by each speaker were both

humorous and inspiring.

Dr. Tracey Richardson (left), representing PMI’s Global Accreditation Center

(GAC), presents the Accreditation Plaque to Dr. Connie Book (right), The

Citadel Provost at the GAC reception & celebration held at Mark Clark Hall.

P A G E 2

Dr. Plemmons Participates in SC Cyber Luncheon at

Trident Technical College

P M N E W S

On May 6, 2016, Dr. Keith Plemmons participated in the SC Cyber luncheon and spoke with the Secretary of the USAF, the Honorable Deborah Lee James. The SC Cyber luncheon, held at Complex for Economic Development

at Trident Technical College, North Charleston, SC, was one of many events planned for SC Cyber across the State

of South Carolina. For the past several years, Dr. Plemmons has participated in several SC Cyber Consortium

events and planning sessions. This was the most recent and significant of those events.

During the luncheon, opening remarks and an overview of SC Cyber were delivered by Major General Les Eisner,

ANG (Retired). Following the overview, the Secretary of the Air Force delivered the keynote address emphasizing

the importance of collaboration in responding to cyber threats. After the luncheon, Dr. Plemmons attended the Senior Executive Cyber Threats workshop, taught by SPAWAR Atlantic and the SC National Guard. Attending

the luncheon from The Citadel were Lt Colonel Linda Riedel (MSPM,

SCNG) and Dr. Shankar Banik.

“SC Cyber is a statewide initiative, based at the University of South Carolina

and with partners across all levels of academia, industry, and government,

with a mission is to develop the talent, techniques, and tools to defend criti-cal, connected infrastructure within South Carolina and the United States.”

Dr. Plemmons and the Project Management program have had a continuing

influence in stressing the importance of The Citadel being actively involved in educating the cyber workforce. The Project Management program hosted

the first ever Cyber conference at The Citadel in January, 2011, which fea-

tured 45 attendees from all over the county.

Following the presentation of the plaque and comments by the Provost, a celebration cake was cut and

distributed. In keeping with MSPM tradition, the cake was cut with Dr. Skipper’s cadet officer’s

sword from 1971.

Dr. Connie Book (right) cuts the GAC celebration cake assisted by, and using, Dr. Skipper’s Citadel cadet

officer’s sword.

Citadel Project Management Students visit Clemson

Energy Innovation Center

P A G E 3 V O L U M E 6

On 25 February, 18

Project Management

Graduate Students

taking PMGT 653

(Technical Project

Support and

Operations) visited the

Clemson University

Energy Innovation

Center in North

Charleston. Students

and Dr. Charles

Skipper toured the one

of a kind research

facility, and were

educated and entertained

by Mr. Jim Tuten. Jim is

the current Facility

Systems Director and

additionally served as the

Project Manager for the

design and construction of

this unique facility. The

facility was designed to

Masters of Science in Project Management (MSPM) Students enrolled in PMGT 672: Applied

Leadership Concepts, conducted three executive leadership interviews during the Spring 2016 semester.

In the below picture students posed with Chief Karen Brack, Fire Chief of the Charleston Fire

Department. Also interviewed this semester were Tommy Baker, President of Baker Motor Company;

and Jim Senter, Athletic Director, The Citadel. These interviews provided the students with a terrific

opportunity to interview successful local executives regarding their leadership experiences and behaviors

in the workforce. The students were then required to compare and contrast the results of the interviews

with applied leadership concepts and techniques presented in the course material.

test massive wind

turbines, and it is the

largest one of its type

in the world. The

tour and follow-up

presentation and

question and answer

period provided a nice

comparison between

practices the students

are studying and the

complications present

on an actual project.

Spring 2016 PMGT 672 Students Conduct Executive

Leadership Interviews

Pictured from Left to right, standing; Travis Junkins, Lew Wadsworth, Eric Treadway, Bryan Johnson, William Zirkle, Nate

Cropp, Nicholas Kyryliuk, Chief Karen Brack, Charles Mulligan, Matt Fann, Greg Moore, and Alicia Lopez. Sitting; Brittany

Oliver, Heather Barbour, Sandy Batt, and Melody.

P A G E 4 V O L U M E 6

Formation of the Department of Engineering

Leadership and Program Management (ELPM)

Advisory board

The Advisory Board was formed to provide strategic advice and support to the new

Department which hosts the Masters of Science in Project Management (MSPM). Specifically,

the Advisory Board will advise the Chair on issues that impact mission, strategy, and student

engagement. A key responsibility is to serve as advocates for the school’s interest with the

external community, provide access to business leaders, and assist in acquiring resources.

Members of the advisory board are, Mr. Tommy Gardner, PhD, PE, Chief Technology Officer,

Jacobs Missions Solutions, Mr. Todd Lant, Vice President IT, Blackbaud, Inc., Mr. Charles A,

Leath Jr.,’66, PE, Owner, Leath Contracting, Inc., Mr. Tom Leonard, Owner, Leonard Strategic

Advantage, Mr. Jamie Lewis,’89, Branch Manager, Cintas, Mr. Van D. Lott III,’74, President,

(Retired), Van Lott, Inc., Mr. William “Lee” Monroe, EPIC Program Manager, BAE Systems,

Mr. Perry J. Morrissette, Sr. Mgr. Airplane Level Engineering Integration, Boeing, Mr. Arnold

Singleton,’91, PE, Vice President Power Delivery, Santee Cooper, Mr. Bernie Still, VP

Commercial and Air Force Programs, SRC, Mr. Paul Tamburrino,’89, Sr. Consultant – SPHR

and Sr. PM, Epicor Software Corp., Mr. Chris Van Metre, President, ATI Applied R&D, EX-

OFFICIO MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, Dr. Charles Skipper ‘71, Department Head, Dr. Ron

Welch, Dean of Engineering, Dr. Keith Plemmons,’80, Board Secretary, and Jennifer

Hightower, The Citadel Foundation.

Pictured from Left to Right; Chris Van Metre (Chair), Charlie Leath, Jamie Lewis, Van Lott, and Tom Leonard.

Dr. Charles O. Skipper,’71, PE, PMP, Colonel, US Marines (Ret.), Visiting Professor, The Cit-

adel School of Engineering, is especially pleased to announce the formation of an Advisory

Board for The Citadel School of Engineering’s new Department of Engineering Leadership

and Program Management (ELPM).

P A G E 5 V O L U M E 6

Mechanical Engineering Becomes a Separate

Department

The Citadel School of Engineering has established a Bachelor’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering

program. The new degree was stood up under the Department of Engineering Leadership and Program

Management. This effort, which began with Dr. Skipper leading search committees in Spring 2013,

resulted in the incremental hiring of four faculty. The first class of Freshman Cadets began in Fall

Semester 2014 and in just two years, Mechanical Engineering is a close second to Business

Administration for the highest number of enrolled Freshmen. Due to the success of this special project,

Mechanical Engineering was spun off from ELPM and became a separate Academic Department on 1

July 2016.

Pictured from Left to Right; Dr. Robert Rabb (ME Department Head), Dr. Monika Bubacz (ME Associate Professor), Dr.

Jason Howison (ME Assistant Professor), and Dr. Kevin Skenes (ME Assistant Professor)

Pictured from Left to Right; Dr. Charles Skipper (ELPM Department Head), Dr. Jason Howison (Mechanical Engi-

neering Assistant Professor), and Dr. Keith Plemmons (Associate Professor ELPM) on 4 May 2016

In the above picture, Dr. Jason Howison stands in front of the Mechanical Engineering Department

sign. The above picture was taken shortly after Jason was inducted into the prestigious Tau Beta Pi En-

gineering Honor Society on 4 May 2016.

P A G E 6

December 17, 2015 found very happy students who completed the 4 courses of the Technical Project Management

(TPM) Graduate Certificate program. The students presented their Capstone Projects and were honored at a

Graduation Dinner in the Regimental Commander’s Riverview Room of Coward Hall. The Graduation Speaker

was Mr. Chris Van Metre, President of SCRA Applied R&D.

From Left to Right: Heather Barbour, Greg Moore, Nate Cropp, Paul Geier, Rob Young, Lew

Wadsworth, Audwin Mumford, Megan Tuell, Sean Oddis, Camille Peterson, Brittany Oliver, and Allison

Bringardner.

Technical Project Management (TPM) Certificate Graduation

Dinner: 17 December, 2015

Project Management Students Inducted into Phi Kappa Phi

Honor Society

On 21 February, 2016, three students from The Citadel’s Masters of Science in Project Management were inducted into Phi

Kappa Phi Honor Society at the Holiday Alumni Center. The ceremony featured a Keynote Remarks by Dr. Mark Bebensee

(Associate Provost for Academic Affairs), an oath taken by the inductees, and formal presentation of Phi Kappa Phi lapel pins

and medallions. Following the ceremony, there was a dinner in honor of the inductees and their families.

Phi Kappa Phi is the Nation’s oldest, largest, and most selective all-discipline honor society. The society’s mission is to recog-

nize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to

others. Jensen Anderson, Phil Straney, and Brittany Oliver were formally recognized for their high academic achievements in

the graduate study of Project Management, and are representatives of excellence in our program.

Pictured from Left to right; Dr. Charles Skipper, ELPM Department Head, Jensen Anderson, Phil Straney, Brittany Oliver,

and Dean of Engineering Ron Welch.

Dr. Gerry Graves Receives Certificate of

Commendation from The Citadel

On 16 April 2016, Dr. Gerry Graves (left), formerly an

Associate Professor at The Citadel, receives a Certificate of

Commendation from Engineering Leadership and Program

Management Department Head, Colonel Charles Skipper.

Dr. Graves served on the faculty full time and was

instrumental in standing up the Graduate Certificate in

Technical Program Management (TPgM). Gerry has

continued to serve as an Adjunct Professor after his 1

January 2016 retirement to mature the TPgM Certificate

program.

P A G E 7

ELPM Faculty 2015 –2016

On 10 April, available ELPM faculty members posed at The Citadel’s Grimsley Hall for a picture. Not pictured

due to other commitments were Dr. Plemmons (Associate Professor), Dr. Jim Brickell (Adjunct) and Erik Rooman

(Adjunct). The value of our Adjunct Faculty to the Masters of Science in Project Management (MSPM) program

cannot be overstated. They are a remarkable group of professionals who bring not only a passion for teaching, but

extensive experience in the areas they teach. Without their dedicated efforts, we would not be able to offer our

MSPM, as well as Certificate Programs in Systems Engineering Management (SEM) and Technical Program

Management (TPgM).

Pictured from Left to right; Dr. Charles Skipper (Department Head), Mr. Tim Parker (Adjunct), Attorney Gail Sil-

verman (Adjunct), Dr. Gerry Graves (Adjunct), Dr. Josh Gomer (Adjunct) and Dr. Mel King (Adjunct)

Not present; Dr. Keith Plemmons, Dr. Jim Brickell, and Mr. Erik Rooman.

Congratulations to our Graduates!

Systems Engineering Management (SEM) Certificate

Graduation Dinner: 5 May, 2016

May 5th, 2016 found a gathering of very happy students

who completed the 4 courses of the Systems Engineering

Management (SEM) Graduate Certificate program. The

students were honored at a Graduation Dinner in Buyer

Auditorium of Mark Clark Hall.

Pictured from left to right: Kevin Erskine, Haydn Campbell,

William Brown, and Ignacio Florendo.

Technical Project Management (TPM) Certificate

Graduation Dinner: 5 May, 2016

On 5 May, 2016 thrilled students who completed the 4 courses of the Technical Project Management (TPM)

Graduate Certificate program attended a dinner in their honor and received their Graduate Certificates. After the

students presented their Capstone Projects and ate dinner, they enjoyed a fascinating speech by the Graduation

Speaker, Claudius E. Watts, IV, ‘83, Managing Director, The Cargyl Group. The ceremony was held at Buyer

Auditorium.

From Left to Right: Julie Bowling, David Zeiler, Lisa Hoover, Carl Jewell, Benjamin Salvatini, Kevin

Erskine, Travis Junkins, Lauren Smalls, William Brown, Matthew Rhoads, Brendan Jones, Anthony

Isaac, Eric Treadway, Jay Kramer, Benedito de Camargo, Ignacio Florendo, and Guest Speaker Bud

Watts IV.

May 2016 MSPM Graduates

From Left to Right (back row): Nick Kyryliuk, Paul Capps, Travis Junkins, Haydn Campbell, Matthew Jessup,

William Zirkle, Greg Moore, Robert Redmond, Brendan Jones, Eric Treadway, and Adjunct Faculty Timothy

Parker.

From Left to Right (front row): Brittany Oliver, Johnny King, Heather Barbour, Kevin Erskine, Lauren Smalls,

Matthew Rhoads, Anthony Isaac, Timothy Beckham, Ralph Arzbach, Alicia Lopez-Floyd, Subodh Aurora, and

Department Chair Dr. Charles Skipper.

Technical Program Management (TPgM) Certificate

Graduation Dinner: 5 May, 2016

Pictured from left to right: Ralph Arzbach, Greg Moore, Heather Barbour, Brendan Jones, and Andrew Kavanaugh.

May 5th, 2016 saw our second group of graduates who completed the 4 courses of the newly

established Technical Program Management (TPgM) Graduate Certificate program.

Standing, from Left to Right: Matt Jessup, Greg Moore, Heather Barbour, William Zirkle, Lew Wadsworth, Tim

Beckham, Coy Brown, Allison Bringardner, Lauren Smalls, Josh Denny, Sam Arora, Johnny King, Bryan Johnson,

Kevin Erskine, Phil Straney, and Brittany Oliver. Kneeling, from left to right: Guillermo Leiva, Alicia Lopez

Floyd, Anthony Isaac, Nate Cropp, Alex Arntz, and Audwin Mumford.

171 Moultrie St.

Charleston, SC 29409

Phone: 843-953-0115

E-mail: engineering@citadel.edu

The Citadel is a four-year, public college in historic Charleston,

South Carolina. The Citadel offers a classic military college education

for young men and women profoundly focused on leadership excel-

lence and academic distinction. Graduates are not required to serve

in the military but about 30 percent of each class commission as

officers in every branch of U.S. military service. Graduates of The

Citadel have served the nation, their state and their community as

principled leaders since the college was founded in 1842. The Cita-

del Graduate College offers more than 40 Master's degrees and

graduate certificates in a wide range of disciplines, plus five under-

graduate programs, through an all-evening schedule. Some gradu-

ate courses are available online.

Class of 2016 MSPM Graduates at Citadel Graduate College

Commencement: 7 May, 2016