The board of visitors of The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, shall be composed of the Governor, the Adjutant General and the State Superintendent of Education, who shall be members ex officio of the board, and eleven others who shall be graduates of the college, seven of whom are to be elected by joint vote of the General Assembly as hereinafter provided, three of whom are to be elected by such means and methods as may be determined by the Association of Citadel Men or any succeeding organization of Citadel men, the result of election to be certified by the president of the association to the Secretary of State, and one of whom shall be appointed by the Governor. The Governor shall make the appointment based on merit regardless of race or economic status and shall strive to assure that the membership of the board is representative of all citizens of the State of South Carolina.