Austin Peay State University (APSU) is set to recognize an esteemed group of veterans during its upcoming Governors Military Hall of Fame Class of 2025 induction ceremony. This special event will take place on Friday, November 7th, 2025, at the Morgan University Center ballroom, where the university will honor four distinguished individuals for their exceptional military service and contributions to the nation.
Founded in 2022, the Governors Military Hall of Fame aims to celebrate members of the APSU community—both living and deceased—who have made extraordinary sacrifices or demonstrated pivotal support for the military and veterans. The Hall of Fame is located within the William E. & Sadako S. Newton Military Family Resource Center, recognized as Tennessee’s largest military student center.
Austin Peay President Mike Licari expressed pride in the inductees, emphasizing that they embody the values of service and excellence the university stands for. He stated, “These four exceptional veterans represent the very best of what Austin Peay stands for—leaders who carry our values of service and excellence into their military careers. Their remarkable service demonstrates the strong connection between our university and the military community.”
The honorees for this year’s class include Colonel (Ret.) Ernest DeWald, Major (Ret.) Lance E. Richardson, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) James M. Walker Jr., and Colonel (Ret.) William N. “Ted” Wootton.
Colonel (Ret.) Ernest DeWald served diligently in the U.S. Army Dental Corps for a commendable 22 years, from 1972 to 1994. With a reputation as a pioneering figure in military dentistry and forensic identification, DeWald held crucial staff assignments at major installations, including the United States Military Academy at West Point and the Pentagon.
His expertise became notably significant during national tragedies, such as the Gander, Newfoundland disaster in 1985, where he was part of the forensic dental team that identified 252 remains. Beyond his impressive military achievements, DeWald established a one-year general dentistry residency program at Fort Campbell, which still operates today and earned him the Legion of Merit.
DeWald’s commitment to service did not end with his military retirement; he continued to contribute as a dental post-mortem mortuary officer for the National DMORT IV Team, responding to major disasters including Hurricane Floyd, Hurricane Katrina, and the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Additionally, his philanthropic efforts at Austin Peay are reflected in his considerable support for nursing education, particularly through the fully endowed Josephine and Bill DeWald nursing scholarship and the DeWald-Volpe Nursing Simulation Laboratory in the new Health Professions Building.
Major (Ret.) Lance E. Richardson, a proud graduate of Austin Peay State University from the class of 1989, also represents an exceptional military career marked by dedication and achievement. Over his 22 years of distinguished service, Richardson transitioned from an enlisted soldier to a commissioned officer, gaining recognition as the top Army ROTC cadet in the nation among more than 8,200 senior cadets.
His military journey began in 1979 when he enlisted as an infantryman in the elite 1st Ranger Battalion, where he distinguished himself as an honor graduate of the Army’s Ranger School in 1980.
Immediately after his commissioning in 1989, Richardson deployed to combat as a rifle platoon leader with the 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. His subsequent assignments ranged from operations in Germany with the 1st Armored Division to teaching at the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he instructed in chemistry and molecular biology. After retiring in 2004, Richardson returned to West Point as a Department of the Army civilian, overseeing laboratory programs until his retirement from teaching in 2023.
Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) James M. Walker Jr. brings his extensive experience in military and government leadership to the Hall of Fame, having dedicated over three decades of his life to service. An Austin Peay graduate in 1981 with a Bachelor of Business Administration, Walker stood out during his senior year by being the first APSU student to receive the esteemed George C. Marshall Award, recognizing outstanding senior ROTC cadets nationwide.
His military career spanned 21 years, featuring a breadth of roles from combat units to sensitive assignments in Washington, D.C. Walker was selected for the prestigious 3rd Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), where he served as company commander and as an aide to President Ronald Reagan.
His highest achievements included serving as aide-de-camp to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral William J. Crowe Jr. and operating as an operations briefer for General Colin Powell during significant military operations. Following his military service, Walker became Alabama’s first director of Homeland Security, effectively managing over $200 million in public grants and earning five national awards for innovation in government.
Finally, Colonel (Ret.) William N. “Ted” Wootton completed a remarkable 39-year career in the U.S. Air Force, beginning in Vietnam where he enlisted as an airman in February 1969. Wootton showcased his leadership capabilities while progressing through the ranks, ultimately serving as a senior officer after 12 years as an enlisted avionics technician.
His career led him to command maintenance operations during notable missions, including Operation Restore Hope in Somalia and Operation Allied Force in the U.K., where he oversaw the successful execution of 1,139 sorties without mishaps. His final role involved the directorship of aircraft maintenance policy applicable to 1,028 aircraft across 58 locations worldwide.
Wootton concluded his service with numerous accolades, including the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star, and multiple Meritorious Service Medals.
The upcoming induction will take place during a celebratory reception starting at 5:30 p.m. on November 7, followed by a dinner at 6 p.m. in the APSU Morgan University Center Ballroom. Tickets priced at $50 can be purchased through the APSU alumni website.
On November 8, the Class of 2025 honorees will also be recognized during the Governors football game against Central Arkansas at Fortera Stadium, contributing even further to the celebration of their accomplishments.
Retired Army Maj. Gen. Walt Lord, APSU’s vice president for Military and Veterans Affairs, highlighted the significance of this celebration, saying, “Each of these inductees has demonstrated exceptional courage, leadership, and dedication throughout their military careers. As we welcome them into our Military Hall of Fame this Veterans Day weekend, we honor not just their individual achievements, but the legacy of service they represent for our entire military community.”
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