The American Story: Duty, Leadership & Legacy
Honoring those who answered the call and inspired future generations
Honoring our 2026 Recipient – Dr. Anthony Williams – honoring Dr. Anthony Williams for his contributions to the campus, the university, his profession and his community. Dr. Anthony Williams has had a remarkable trajectory of academic achievement, military service, and dedicated community involvement and achieved exceptional distinction as a leader in the United States Army.
Guest Speaker:
Dr. Heidi Ries, a 2022 inductee into The Ohio State University at Marion Alumni Hall of Fame, recently retired as Provost and Chief Academic Officer of the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) after 26 years of distinguished service. During her tenure, she served in numerous leadership roles, including Dean for Research, where she helped establish major research centers and led an increase of more than 800% in external research funding. A nationally recognized leader in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, Dr. Ries has been honored with numerous awards, including the Air Force Civilian Outstanding Career Service Award, the Air Force Meritorious Civilian Service Award, and recognition as one of the Dayton region’s Top Ten Women. Throughout her career, she has advanced military education, research, innovation, and leadership while serving as a role model for future generations of engineers, scientists, and defense professionals.