Walter E. Carter Jr.

Summary

Walter Edward "Ted" Carter Jr. (born November 4, 1959) is an American academic administrator and retired United States Navy vice admiral. He has been serving as the 17th and current president of The Ohio State University since January 2024.[1] Carter previously served as the 8th president of the University of Nebraska system from 2020 to 2023, the 62nd superintendent of the United States Naval Academy from 2014 to 2019, and the 54th president of the United States Naval War College from 2013 to 2014.

Ted Carter
Carter in 2015
17th President of The Ohio State University
Assumed office
January 1, 2024
Preceded byKristina M. Johnson
8th President of the University of Nebraska system
In office
January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2023
Preceded byHank M. Bounds
Succeeded byChris Kabourek (interim)
62nd Superintendent of United States Naval Academy
In office
July 23, 2014 – July 26, 2019
Preceded byMichael H. Miller
Succeeded bySean Buck
54th President of the Naval War College
In office
July 2, 2013 – July 8, 2014
Preceded byJohn N. Christenson
Succeeded byP. Gardner Howe, III
Personal details
Born (1959-11-04) November 4, 1959 (age 64)
Newport, Rhode Island, U.S.
EducationUnited States Naval Academy (BS)
Websitehttps://president.osu.edu
NicknameSlapshot
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Navy
Years of service1981–2019
RankVice Admiral
CommandsU.S. Naval War College
Carrier Strike Group Twelve
Joint Enabling Capabilities Command, USJFCOM
USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70)
USS Camden (AOE-2)
VF-14 Tophatters
Battles/warsOperation Desert Shield
Operation Desert Storm
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Operation Southern Watch
Operation Allied Force
AwardsNavy Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal (2)
Legion of Merit (3)
Distinguished Flying Cross (with valor)
Bronze Star
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (4)
Air Medal (3, 2 with valor and 5 Strike/Flight)
Navy Commendation Medal (5, 2 with valor)
Joint Service Achievement Medal

Early life and education edit

Carter was born on November 4, 1959, and raised in Burrillville, Rhode Island. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1981, was designated a naval flight officer in 1982, and graduated from the Navy Fighter Weapons School in 1985. While at USNA, Carter majored in oceanography, lettered in ice hockey 4 years (team captain in 1981), and was editor in chief of the USNA satirical magazine, The LOG, from 1979 to 1981. He is a graduate of the Air War College intermediate course, as well as the Armed Forces Staff College.[2]

Career edit

United States Navy edit

His career as a flight officer includes sea assignments in Fighter Squadron 161 (VF-161) on board USS Midway (CVA-41) in Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) and in the VF-21 "Freelancers" on board USS Independence (CV-62) with Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14). He commanded the VF-14 "Tophatters", and served as Executive Officer of USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), culminating in command of USS Camden (AOE-2) and USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70). His subsequent fleet-command assignment was commander of the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group / Carrier Strike Group Twelve (CSG-12) during Big E's final deployment as a 51-year-old aircraft carrier.[2]

Carter accumulated 6,150 flight hours in the back seat of F-4, F-14, and F/A-18 aircraft during his career and safely accompanied pilots in 2,016 carrier-arrested landings, the record among all active and retired U.S. Naval Aviation designators. He also flew on 125 combat missions in support of joint operations in Bosnia, Kuwait, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.[2]

Shore assignments include instructor duty in VF-124 "Gunfighters"; chief of staff for Fighter Wing Pacific; executive assistant to the Deputy Commander, U.S. Central Command; chief of staff for Joint Warfighting Center, United States Joint Forces Command; and commander, Joint Enabling Capabilities Command where he also served as lead for the Transition Planning Team during the disestablishment of U.S. Joint Forces Command. Prior to becoming president of the Naval War College, Carter led Task Force RESILIENT as director, 21st Century Sailor Office (N17). He became the 54th president of the Naval War College on 2 July 2013.[2]

On 23 July 2014, Carter relieved Vice Admiral Michael H. Miller, becoming the 62nd superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy.[3] He was succeeded by Sean Buck on July 26, 2019.[4]

Post-naval career edit

After retiring from the Navy in 2019, Carter became the 8th president of the University of Nebraska System.

On August 22, 2023, Carter was announced as the 17th President of The Ohio State University. His tenure began on January 1, 2024.[5]

Board service edit

In April 2023, Carter was named as a Commissioner for the Council on Higher Education as a Strategic Asset.[6]

In March 2023, Carter was elected to the American Council on Education's Board of Directors.[7]

In 2022, Carter was named to the Executive Committee of the Council on Competitiveness.[8]

Awards and decorations edit

 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
                 
          
         
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
     
       
 
 
     
Naval Flight Officer Badge
Navy Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster Legion of Merit with three gold award stars
Distinguished Flying Cross (with Combat V) Bronze Star Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (with 3 award stars) Air Medal (with Combat V, 2 award stars and Strike/Flight numeral 5) Navy Commendation Medal (with Combat V and 4 award stars)
Joint Service Achievement Medal Joint Meritorious Unit Award (with 2 oak leaf clusters) Navy Unit Commendation with three bronze service stars
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (with 4 service stars) Navy "E" Ribbon (with Wreathed Battle "E" device) Navy Expeditionary Medal
National Defense Service Medal (with 1 service star) Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (with 1 service star) Southwest Asia Service Medal (with 3 service stars)
Kosovo Campaign Medal (with 1 service star) Afghanistan Campaign Medal (with 1 service star) Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Armed Forces Service Medal Humanitarian Service Medal
Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (with 8 service stars) Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon NATO Medal for Kosovo (with 1 service star)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) Navy Expert Rifleman Medal Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal

In 1999, Carter was awarded the Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale Award for Inspirational Leadership.[2]

In 2008, Carter was appointed an Honorary Master Chief by the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy.[2]

In 2009, Carter received the U.S. Navy League's John Paul Jones Award for Inspirational Leadership.[2]

In 2014, Carter was inducted into the Rhode Island Aviation Hall of Fame.[9]

In 2015, Carter was inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame.[10]

In 2019, Carter received the USS MIDWAY's Patriot Award in honor of the 50th Anniversary of TOPGUN.[11]

In 2022, Carter received the U.S. Naval Academy’s Distinguished Graduate Award.[12] He is one of the youngest graduates to receive the award since its inception.

References edit

  1. ^ Brown, Jared; Shillcock, George (22 August 2023). "Ohio State picks University of Nebraska leader to be its next president". WOSU News. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Rear Admiral Walter E. "Ted" Carter Jr. Bio". US Navy. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
  3. ^ Clark, Jessica (23 July 2014). "New Superintendent Takes Command of U.S. Naval Academy". Navy News Service. U.S. Naval Academy Public Affairs. Retrieved 27 July 2014.
  4. ^ "New Naval Academy superintendent takes command". Navy Times. 28 July 2019. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
  5. ^ https://news.osu.edu/walter-ted-carter-jr-appointed-by-board-of-trustees-as-17th-president-of-the-ohio-state-university/
  6. ^ "Council on Higher Education as a Strategic Asset".
  7. ^ "ACE Board of Directors". www.acenet.edu. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  8. ^ "The Council". Compete. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  9. ^ RIAHOF (22 November 2014). "VADM Walter "Ted" Carter » Rhode Island Aviation Hall of Fame". Rhode Island Aviation Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  10. ^ "Walter E. "Ted" Carter – Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame". Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  11. ^ "Past Honorees". USS Midway Museum. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  12. ^ "News22_2022 Distinguished Graduates Announced - www.usna.com". www.usna.com. Retrieved 2 December 2022.

Attribution edit

  This article incorporates public domain material from Vice Admiral Walter E. Carter, Jr. United States Navy.

External links edit

  Media related to Walter E. Carter Jr. at Wikimedia Commons

  • The REAL Truth About Being an Admiral on YouTube - interview with Walter Carter
  • Everything You Didn't Know About Commanding an Aircraft Carrier on YouTube - interview with Walter Carter
  • Everything You Didn't Know About Taking the F-14 Tomcat to War on YouTube - interview with Walter Carter
  • Deep Intel on the REAL Consecutive Miracles Strike on YouTube - interview with Walter Carter