President Carter to be honored by Naval War College Foundation
Sentinel of the Sea Award is organization’s highest honor
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The Ohio State University |
The Naval War College Foundation (NWCF) announced Monday that retired U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Walter “Ted” Carter Jr., president of The Ohio State University, will receive the 2025 Sentinel of the Sea Award. Carter will receive the award at a gala held in his honor on Nov. 6 at the New York Yacht Club in New York City.
The Sentinel of the Sea Award is the NWCF’s highest honor. It recognizes distinguished American citizens whose lives and careers reflect the values and traditions of the U.S. Naval War College. Honorees exemplify the U.S. Navy’s motto, “Non Sibi Sed Patriae — Not For Self But Country” — through their unwavering dedication to the security, liberty and strength of the nation.
Carter served 38 years in the U.S. Navy, amassing more than 6,300 flight hours and holding the national record for carrier-arrested landings. As the 54th president of the U.S. Naval War College (USNWC), he led several key initiatives, including the establishment of the Advanced Studies in Naval Strategy Program.
A Rhode Island native, Carter graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and later returned to serve as its 62nd superintendent, becoming the longest continuously serving superintendent since the Civil War. In 2022, he was awarded the U.S. Naval Academy Distinguished Graduate Award, the institution’s highest honor.
While at USNWC, Carter was designated by the chief of naval operations to lead Navy-wide leadership and ethics training. He authored the white paper “Ethics in the Navy,” which influenced ethical discourse across the Navy and joint force. He also established the Naval Leadership and Ethics Center at Naval Station Newport.
“I’m deeply humbled and grateful to the Naval War College Foundation for this extraordinary honor. To be mentioned alongside the distinguished Americans who have previously received this award is an honor in itself,” Carter said. “I have always believed that each of us has an opportunity to answer the call of service before self, and I have strived throughout my life and career to uphold those values. To have been part of the work and mission of the U.S. Naval War College is a great privilege — one whose lessons in leadership and service I will carry forever.”
The gala will bring together NWCF supporters, USNWC leadership and guests to celebrate Carter’s contributions to national defense and education. Among them will be retired U.S. Navy Capt. George E. Lang, Jr., NWCF president and CEO, who served alongside Carter in the Navy as his chief of staff at commander, Carrier Strike Group Twelve/Enterprise Carrier Strike Group, the USNWC and U.S. Naval Academy.
“I have had the distinct honor of serving alongside this great American on land and at sea,” said Lang. “His leadership, strength of character and commitment to developing future leaders make him the perfect recipient of this award. I am thrilled our board of trustees selected him, and I look forward to celebrating his legacy this fall in New York.”
Following his naval retirement, Carter transitioned to higher education leadership. Since January 2024, he has served as Ohio State’s 17th president. He was previously president of the University of Nebraska System, where his tenure was marked by research innovation and a statewide expansion of medical education. Under his leadership, Nebraska was ranked among the world’s top 100 institutions for research patents.
Carter also serves on the boards of the American Council on Education, the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities’ Council of Presidents, the Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors, and the U.S. Council on Competitiveness.
Upon receiving the Sentinel of the Sea medal, Carter will join an esteemed group of past recipients, including Adm. James G. Stavridis, 16th supreme allied commander, NATO; John Francis Lehman Jr., 65th secretary of the Navy; retired U.S. Marine Corps Gen. James N. Mattis, 26th U.S. secretary of defense; secretaries of the Navy Paul R. Ignatius and Ambassador J. William Middendorf II; veteran advocates Gary Sinise and Tom Brokaw; Medal of Honor recipients retired U.S. Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer 4 Hershel “Woody” Williams, retired U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Hiroshi “Hershey” Miyamura, retired U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Allen J. Lynch, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. David G. Bellavia and U.S. Navy Lt. Michael P. Murphy (posthumously); retired U.S. Navy Adm. James “Jim” Hogg; and retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Michael V. Hayden.
