Photo supplied by The Citadel. General James W. Duckett was born in Greenwood, South Carolina in 1911. He was an honor graduate of The Citadel Class of 1932. During World War II, he held command and staff positions with the U.S. Army Chemical Corps in this country and overseas. General Duckett began his career at The Citadel in 1934 as Assistant Professor in the Chemistry department. He later served as the head of the Education department, Registrar, as first Dean of Admissions, Administrative Dean, and Dean of the College. In 1970 he was named President. General Duckett retired from the presidency in 1974. He died in 1991. (The Citadel website)

As a cadet, General Duckett was a member of more clubs and teams than anyone on campus, per a notation in the 1932 Sphinx. In addition he was an excellent student, cadet major, Battalion commander, member of two varsity teams (Baseball and Tennis). Read his student activities below ... amazing versatility and variety... an all-round cadet. And apparently most of his time as a cadet was tending to the many girlfriends that occupied his time... He is fondly remembered by his classmates as a "man who had strength enough of character to stand up for the right."

1928-1929 Recruit, Company "D"; Freshman Baseball Team, Greenwood Club.

1929-1930 Corporal, Company "G"; SPHINX Staff; Bull Dog Staff; Round Table; Buccaneer Club; Greenwood Club; Commencement Hop Committee; Tennis Team.

1930-1931 First Sergeant, Company "C"; SPHINX Staff, Bull Dog Staff, Round Table; Buccaneer Club; Greenwood Club; Commencement Hop Committee; Tennis Team; Junior Exhibition Company; Delegate of S. C. I. O. A.; Y.M.C.A. Cabinet; Investigation Committee.

1931-1932 Captain, Company "B"; Editor-in-Chief THE SPHINX; President Round Table; President Buccaneer Club; Captain Tennis Team; Cadet Committee; Advisory Board Y.M.C.A Cabinet; Commander Lang's Grenadiers; Delegate S. C. I. O. A.; Commander of Honor Guard for Admiral Raby. Major, First Battalion.

His classmates voted him "The Most Valuable" and "The Most Capable" cadet of his class of 1932.

A building on The Citadel campus is named in his honor. Duckett Hall is named for Maj. Gen. James W. Duckett, 1932, president of The Citadel from 1970 to 1974. General Duckett devoted his career to educating cadets. After his term of office, he held 11 faculty and administrative posts before retiring. This modern facility provides classrooms, laboratories and offices for the Department of Biology. The building is three stories high with a greenhouse and an animal facility on the roof. Architecturally, the building follows the same Spanish-Moorish style as most other buildings on campus.

Cadet James W. Duckett, Class of 1932, The Citadel, Charleston, S.C. He was the 13th Superintendent and President of The Citadel, 1970-1974. Senior photo from the 1932 Citadel Sphinx yearbook. Commander, Lang's Grenadiers (pre-Summerall Guards).

Cadet James W. Duckett, Class of 1932, The Citadel, Charleston, S.C. He was the 13th Superintendent and President of The Citadel, 1970-1974. Photo from the 1932 Citadel Sphinx yearbook. Voted by his peers: Most Valuable, Most Capable cadet.

Cadet James W. Duckett, Class of 1932, The Citadel, Charleston, S.C. He was the 13th Superintendent and President of The Citadel, 1970-1974. Senior photo from the 1932 Citadel Sphinx yearbook.

Gen. James W. Duckett, (U.S. Army, Ret.) oil portrait in the main hallway of Bond Hall, The Citadel, Charleston, S.C. He was the 13th Superintendent and President of The Citadel, 1970-1974. Photo by Richard Hodges, 10/25/2017.