Sullivan Watkins, 21, Dies: Citadel Military College in Charleston, SC Mourns Loss of Beloved Senior Cadet
Sullivan Watkins Citadel Obituary, Death cause: The tight-knit community at The Citadel military college in Charleston, South Carolina is reeling from the devastating and unexpected loss of one of their own – senior cadet Sullivan Watkins. Watkins, 21, was tragically found deceased in his dorm room last week, just months before his scheduled graduation this May with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering.
A Driven Leader Gone Too Soon
According to the somber announcement from The Citadel leadership, Watkins was an exemplary cadet who displayed tireless diligence in his academic studies as well as during the college’s rigorous military training. He was recognized on the Dean’s List across five consecutive semesters for maintaining above a 3.2 GPA in his demanding engineering coursework.
Watkins was a standout member of Delta Company within the famous South Carolina Corps of Cadets. The Charleston native was known by his peers and professors as a natural leader who always put the team first.
Beyond shining as a cadet, Watkins was laying the foundation for a promising construction management career. He had already gained hands-on experience during a summer internship with the esteemed firm Thompson Turner Construction last year.
The driven student had planned to intern with Thompson Turner again this coming summer upon graduation. Tragically, Watkins will never get to fully realize the vast professional potential recognized by all who knew him.
An ‘Immense Void’ Left Behind
Watkins’ sudden absence has left a deep scar on the tight-knit Corps of Cadets he devoted four years of his life to. In the wake of this tragedy, The Citadel has offered grief counseling and emotional support services to all cadets struggling to process the devastating loss.
His fellow cadets, professors and college leadership all acknowledge there is now an “immense void” where Watkins’ bright spirit once shined daily across campus. The Corps has lost one of their finest.