Baker Veterans Fellows Program

Baker Veteran Fellow must meet the following requirements:

• Applicant must be a student in good academic standing at The Citadel, with minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5.
• Applicant must be an undergraduate veteran in the day or CTP program.
• Applicant must be considered an academic junior or senior.
• Applicant must have been a veteran with an honorable discharge (DD214 required).
• Applicant must be enrolled as a full-time student at The Citadel and remain classified as such throughout the Fellowship period.
• Fellows must be able to travel to their internship location in Charleston, Berkeley, or Dorchester counties in South Carolina as well as attend follow-up sessions with Citadel Career Center representatives.
• Fellows must submit progress reports during the Fellowship year.
• Applicant must complete an internship totaling 120 hours.

Submissions for the Fellowship should include the following:

1. A completed online application (GPA, major, etc.).
2. A 500-word cover letter addressing the applicant’s financial need and reasons the applicant believes he/she should be selected as a Baker Veteran Fellow and which of their attributes will contribute to the program.
3. A copy of a current resume.
4. A description of the candidate’s military service, including a copy of the applicant’s DD214 indicating an honorable discharge.
5. Two letters of recommendation:
   1. Professional letter of recommendation.
   2. Faculty member who can comment on your suitability to be a Baker Veteran Fellow.

All required materials must be included with the candidate’s application. This checklist is designed to assist you in preparing your information packet—no paper or incomplete applications will be accepted.

• Application: Complete and submit the application by midnight, October 1, 2022, to Ms. Jamie Frishberg, jfrishbe@citadel.edu . A confirmation email will be sent to your email address listed in the application.
• Resume: Submit a current copy of your resume in PDF. Applicants are encouraged to meet with  Susan Pope  (843-953-1618) in The Citadel Career Center prior to submitting their resume and cover letter.
• Cover Letter: Include a cover letter (500 words) addressing your military service and experiences, your need for financial assistance, the reasons you believe you should be selected as a Baker Veteran Fellow, and which of your attributes, talents, and/or experiences will contribute to the program.
• Letters of recommendation.

Fellows are selected on the strength of their applications, their financial need, and whether they have met all the necessary criteria. The Baker Veterans Fellows Advisory Board reviews all applications and accompanying materials, and conducts panel interviews with selected candidates. An overall evaluation form is used to select candidates.

Mr. Tommy Baker was born in Charleston, where he attended Moultrie High School before leaving South Carolina to serve his country in the Marine Corps. After his service, he returned to the Lowcountry in 1968 and attended The Citadel as a member of the Class of 1972 from the Veterans Program. Several years later, he was accepted into Harvard Business School’s exclusive Owner/President Management Program, an intensive three-year study of business models and executive education.

With a passion for his community, Mr. Baker saw the need for a true community bank in the Lowcountry and founded Beacon Community Bank in January of 2018. With 300 local shareholders, a 17-member board of Charleston’s most distinguished leaders and business owners, a team of seasoned banking professionals, and two Lowcountry locations, Beacon Community Bank is local to the core—focused on hometown, personalized, high-end service and swift local decision making. Mr. Baker is proud to actively serve as Chairman of the Board for Beacon Community Bank.

Mr. Baker has always prioritized giving back to the Charleston community. He has served as past chair of the MUSC Children’s Hospital, the College of Charleston School of Business, YEScarolina and the Free Enterprise Foundation. Currently, Mr. Baker serves as Chairman of the Board for Beacon Community Bank, and he is on the board of directors for the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, and the Board of Governors for the College of Charleston. Professionally, he has served as Chairman for the Mercedes-Benz Dealer Board and the Advisory Dealer Board for INFINITI. Mr. Baker currently resides on Sullivan’s Island, SC with his wife, Vickie, of 38 years. They have three grown children and five grandchildren, four of which are living. Mr. Baker is an avid runner, and most recently took up the challenging sport of paddle boarding. He also enjoys spending as much time as possible with his family and friends.

General James Livingston, USMC Retired

Mr. Ed Sherman

Mr. Bob Sneed

Mr. Jimmy Huggins