William T. Cooper, '50, Scholarship

In February of 2022, Mr. J. Ashley Cooper announced to The Citadel Foundation the intention to establish the endowed William T. Cooper, ‘50, Scholarship in honor of his late father. When Bill Cooper entered The Citadel in 1946, the intensity and standard of higher education found him ill-prepared. His academic limitations, however, presented possibility. Through hard work, dedication, and an innate sense of duty further cemented by the Citadel’s philosophy, he went from a struggling first-year cadet to an upperclassman whose achievement earned the attention of his peers as the recipient of the John O. Willson Ring. His determination, perseverance, and intellectual curiosity propelled him to earn gold stars and to become Second Battalion Commander before earning the Willson Ring. The William T. Cooper award is presented to an underclassman majoring in business administration, demonstrating leadership ability, humility, intellectual curiosity, a desire to understand various points of view, compassion for fellow students, and strong academic progress. Bill Cooper was a veteran of the Korean War, successful businessman, devoted husband, father, and grandfather who had an insatiable thirst for learning. Guided by his faith and concern for his fellow man, he was driven to consistently try his best, and to faithfully execute his duties in life. Humble but confident, he knew no one was beneath him and he also knew no one was above him. Be humble. Be confident. Be kind. The purpose of the William T. Cooper, ‘50, Scholarship fund is to provide financial resources to cadets with demonstrated financial need who are majoring in one of the degree programs offered through the Tommy and Victoria Baker School of Business. First preference shall be given to upperclass cadets who have shown steady academic growth since their freshman year and who have demonstrated the qualities of leadership, academic achievement, self-discipline, and service-qualities that will enable them to excel in The Citadel’s unique military environment.