Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, August 10, 1993 TAG: 9308100136
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A8 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CHARLESTON, S.C. LENGTH: Short
Norman P. Doucet this fall becomes the highest-ranking cadet, making history at the state-supported military college. The Citadel admitted its first black student in 1966.
"It's a fact that I'm black, but people shouldn't say they chose a black regimental commander. It should be they chose the person qualified," Doucet said. "People here are judged on merit. It would be absolute ludicrous to choose someone on lineage, economic status or race."
Doucet of Charleston was chosen to lead more than 1,800 cadets after a vigorous and thorough selection process, said college President Gen. Claudius E. Watts III.
"He's a Marine scholarship holder, an excellent role model and an outstanding cadet. I want everyone to downplay the fact that cadet Doucet is African-American," Watts told The Post and Courier of Charleston in a story published today.
Memo: shorter version ran in the Metro edition.