Seven University of Iowa alumni and faculty who served their country in the United States Army, United States Navy, United States Marine Corp, and United States Air Force were honored with the 2022 Hawkeye Distinguished Veterans Award.
2023 Veterans Week events
Several events are taking place on Nov. 11-13 to celebrate Veterans Day. Read more about them and make plans to attend.
Criteria for the award include a strong university connection, having served honorably, military accomplishment, and service to the community.
The 2022 Hawkeye Distinguished Veterans Award recipients are:
Stewart Wallace, United States Army
James C Dickerson, United States Army, Iowa National Guard
John Hellstein, United States Army Dental Corps
William Lee Peters, United States Marine Corps
Jo Anne Rummelhart, United States Navy
Holly Wilson Greene, United States Navy
Patrick Chesterman, United States Air Force
Each recipient will be recognized with a plaque. The Memorial Honor Roll on the first floor of the Iowa Memorial Union recognizes students and alumni who have given their lives in service to the nation as members of the armed forces.
More about the honorees:
Stewart Wallace (68BBA) served 33 years in the United States Army after graduating from Iowa in 1968, ending his career as commanding general of United States Army Cadet Command. He serves as the military advisor and advisory board chair for the College of Engineering’s Iowa Technology Institute and is leading the effort to recognize Iowa students and alumni killed in combat.
James C Dickerson (83BGS) served for 23 years in the United States Army starting on active duty during the Vietnam War and in the Iowa National Guard ending with his retirement in 1991 as a Sergeant Major. Dickerson is a 1983 alumnus of the UI and is an instructor in the Sports and Recreation Management department.
John Hellstein (91MS) served more than 20 years in the United States Army Dental Corps before retiring as a Colonel in 2002. He now is a professor of oral pathology, radiology, and medicine in the College of Dentistry, where he also helps Veterans find information on financial assistance to address urgent needs.
William Lee Peters (66BA) served three years in the United States Marine Corp during the Vietnam War after he graduated from Iowa in 1966 and was a member of the varsity swimming team. He earned the Navy Cross for his heroism while serving with the Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 165, saving a reconnaissance team in hostile territory on April 12, 1969. On June 21, 1969, Peters and seven others were killed during an attempted insertion under heavy enemy fire.
Jo Anne Rummelhart (75BS, 81DDS) served 10 years in the United States Navy and was recognized as the Navy’s first female Periodontist. In 2022, Rummelhart established the Dr. Jo Rummelhart Veteran Appreciation Fund to provide sustainable, private financial assistance for fellow United States Veterans receiving care at the UI College of Dentistry.
Holly Wilson Greene (80PhD) served 20 years in the United States Navy as a physical therapist, retiring as a Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman. Before her time in the Navy, she served as the UI’s first female assistant athletic trainer from 1974 to 1980.
Patrick Chesterman (72BBA) served for 22 years in the United States Air Force where he was recognized as the expert on petroleum logistics and helped convert the Air Force to a safer aviation fuel. Chesterman is an alumnus of Iowa and was a four-year Air Force ROTC cadet.