William Winkenwerder, Jr. '76
(Awarded 2011)

 Whether championing for better healthcare worldwide -or for a better academic and athletic environment at alma mater - Bill Winkenwerder has truly exemplified a life of leadership and service.

A graduate of Davidson and the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, with an MBA from the Wharton School, Bill has a long and distinguished career in health care as a private industry executive, government health policy leader, and practicing physician. He served as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs in the U.S. Department of Defense from October 2001 through April 2007. In this role, he was the leader of the Military Health System, which provides healthcare for 9.4 million people through more than 70 military hospitals around the globe.

In addition to serving the men and women who keep our country safe and free, Bill also has served-and continues to serve-on numerous Boards of Directors, advising companies and nonprofits as they chart new approaches to healthcare through health information technology, prevention, wellness, control of infectious diseases, and population health.

Even prior to helping the world become a healthier place, he contributed greatly to the well-being of Davidson College. Bill played four years of varsity football for Davidson and was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He served as a writer for the Davidsonian, as a chancellor of Patterson Court, and as president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Still today, Bill contributes his time and energies to Davidson. Just some examples: he was a chapter member within the Davidson Alumni Admissions Program, a committee member for the 25th and 30th Reunions for the Class of 1976, a longtime Board member of the Davidson Athletic Foundation, and a guest speaker for the Dean Rusk International Studies Program as well as the Speas Colloquium in Medical Ethics. He remains a loyal and active Davidson connector in the Washington, D.C. area.

Bill, for your non-stop commitment to all things Davidson, for your endless loyalty to our country, and for your tireless energy and enthusiasm for making the world a little healthier every day, the Davidson College Alumni Association is proud to honor you, Dr. Bill Winkenwerder, with the Distinguished Alumni Award.