Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters

Col. William P. Babcock, U.S. Army, retired, is a 1968 graduate of the University of Rhode Island who has served his country, Rhode Island, and his alma mater with honor. At URI, he completed the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps program, earned his bachelor’s degree in history, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant.

In August of 1969, Babcock was assigned to the Republic of South Vietnam. During one of his missions in Cambodia, his company commander was killed. Babcock immediately took command of the company and also rescued a wounded comrade. He was awarded the Silver Star for his actions.

After his first active-duty tour, Babcock earned a master’s degree in education from URI and worked for the next 15 years as a student personnel administrator at various colleges and universities. He also completed a master’s degree in business administration at Bryant University. He is a graduate of the Army War College.

Babcock served full time in the Rhode Island National Guard for 21 years, and volunteered for active-duty tours in Afghanistan in 2003 and Iraq in 2005.

He retired as a brigade commander and is a founding member and first president of the URI ROTC Alumni chapter.

His awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Silver Star, two Bronze Star medals, Purple Heart, Air Medal, and the Rhode Island Cross.

He now serves as coordinator of Veteran Mentors for the Rhode Island Veterans Treatment Court.