HWS News
11 November 2025 • Alums Honorary Degree Celebrates Lieutenant General Woodward ’68
On Veterans Day, HWS announces Lt. General John L. Woodward Jr. '68 will be awarded an honorary degree.
During today's Veterans Day service and wreath laying ceremony, President Mark D. Gearan announced that Hobart and William Smith will present an honorary degree to Lt. General John "Jack" L. Woodward Jr. '68 (USAF, Ret.) during the 2026 Commencement ceremony. The honorary degree recognizes Woodward's extraordinary 35-year military career, high-level leadership in the critical field of Command, Control, Communications and Computer (C4) systems and his enduring commitment to his alma mater.
"Lieutenant General Woodward's life is a testament to the power of commitment, leadership and service," said Gearan, during the service in St. John's Chapel. "His distinguished career in defense and his ongoing devotion to his alma mater make him a truly exceptional recipient for this honorary degree."
Col. Katherine Platoni ’74, Lt. General John "Jack" Woodward ’68, Col. C.R. Anderegg ’67 and Lt. Col. John Norvell ’66, P’99, P’02, L.H.D.'24 present the HWS Legacy of Military Service during Hobart Bicentennial weekend.
Woodward received his commission through HWS’ Air Force ROTC program, commencing a celebrated career in the U.S. Air Force that saw him rise to the rank of a three-star Lieutenant General.
As Deputy Chief of Staff for Communication and Information and Deputy Chief Information Officer in the U.S. Air Force in Washington, D.C., Woodward was directly responsible for strategic plans, policy and architecture for C4 systems across the entire Air Force, managing a force of nearly 100,000 communications and information professionals.
His extensive assignments included leadership posts at NORAD and U.S. Space Command, Air Force Space Command and tours of duty across five major commands, the Pentagon, and overseas in Taiwan, Saudi Arabia and the Philippines.
For his distinguished service, Woodward is decorated with numerous military honors, including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal and the Legion of Merit.
Following his retirement from the Air Force, Woodward leveraged his expertise in the private sector, serving as an Executive Vice President at Accenture and later establishing his own consulting firm, Information Stronghold Inc: Woodward Enterprises. He has served on multiple corporate and non-profit boards.
Woodward has been a dedicated volunteer and supporter of HWS for many years. He received an Alumni Citation in 2023 and is an active Career Services volunteer and a member of the Veterans Memorial Committee. He has participated in many campus events, including the recent Veterans Day Panel and Campus Volunteer Leadership Summit. For Hobart’s Bicentennial celebration in 2022, Woodward contributed the foreword to the book 200 Years Hobart and William Smith Colleges Legacy of Military Service.
As a student, Woodward majored in biology and minored in mathematics. He was a member of the soccer, squash and golf teams, receiving the Blazer Award for Golf in 1968. He served as class treasurer, was involved in the Board of Control, the Arnold Air Society, ROTC and was a member of Delta Chi fraternity.
Commencement will be held beginning at 9 a.m. on Sunday, May 17, 2026 on the Quad.
