2022 Distinguished Graduate Award
Vice Admiral William Crowder ’74, USN (Ret.): Vice Admiral Crowder served 36 years as a Surface Warfare Officer, commanded the strike group that assisted in tsunami relief following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, was the U.S. 7th Fleet Commander, and completed his career as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Plans and Strategy. As a commander, he spearheaded the Navy’s response to the attack on the Pentagon’s Navy Command Center on 9/11. After retirement, he served as the Chief Operating Officer for a $1B business unit for Boeing, then started a consultancy practice. Vice Admiral Crowder is the Director of the Admiral Nimitz Foundation and National Museum and was Director of the Olmsted Foundation. Vice Admiral William Crowder resides in Bradenton, FL.