Benjamin R. Thompson first Citadel cadet elected to BACCHUS Network Student Advisory Committee

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Cadet Benjamin R. Thompson

CHARLESTON, SC (11/16/2012)(readMedia)-- Cadet Benjamin R.Thompson of Silver Spring, Md., was elected to the Area 9 Student Advisory Committee of the BACCHUS Network, a collegiate peer education initiative gives student leaders skills to address campus health and safety issues.

It is the first time The Citadel has had an elected representative on a BACCHUS Student Advisory Committee

"It represents a significant recognition of our cadets by other college students who attack these campus health and safety issues everyday on their campuses," said Col. Kevin Dopf, assistant commandant for personnel and logistics. "This is significant for Ben as well. He won this position representing South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, and Puerto Rico – the largest area committee in the country. He beat out other candidates from schools such as Clemson, University of Florida, Florida State, Miami and University of Georgia."

A graduate of John F. Kennedy High School, Thompson is a cadet master sergeant and regimental human affairs NCO. He served as the 2014 class president during his sophomore year, is a member of Political Science Honors Society, Campus Crusade Ministry and the 1 in 4 team, which educates men in the Corps and The Citadel community on sexual assault and harassment issues on college campuses. Thompson is a four-year Army ROTC scholarship recipient and intents to be commissioned as an Army office after graduation.

During my short time working with BACCHUS, I have been amazed with the leadership and motivation on college campus' to educate and assist students with the issues they face ranging from sexual abuse, to drug and alcohol use, to overall student and cadet well-being," Thompson said. "The desire of students nationwide to affect change motivated me to seek a leadership role in the BACCHUS organization and be a leader within my region."

The Citadel, founded in 1842, is a public, coeducational military college in Charleston, S.C., that offers a classic military education for young men and women seeking a college experience that is meaningful and academically strong. With the core values of honor, duty and respect, The Citadel prepares principled leaders for the military as well as the global workplace.