Academy of Distinguished Alumni

Recognizing the best of BGSU

The Academy of Distinguished Alumni was created in 2011 by Bowling Green State University and its Alumni Association. The award is the highest honor bestowed by the University and was established to recognize the extraordinary accomplishments of alumni who have made significant contributions to their chosen professional field and/or through their philanthropic endeavors. The University is proud to honor those alumni who have inspired their country, state, community and BGSU.

2012 honorees

The BGSU Alumni Association is proud to congratulate the 2012 class of honorees:

Joseph Philport '75

Philport, who earned a doctorate in media communications from BGSU, is president and CEO of Traffic Audit Bureau for Media Management, Inc. Previously, he held executive positions at Arbitron, CMR, Nielsen, and AGB Television Research. He was given the Advertising Research Foundation’s 2009 Gold Great Mind Award for innovation in research behind the EYES ON system, and is also a frequent speaker at industry conferences and symposia.

View Joseph Philport's induction video.

Ed Reiter '62

Ed Reiter is retired Senior Chairman of Sky Financial Group and has been involved with several boards and capital campaigns in northwest Ohio. He has been involved with BGSU's Alumni and Foundation Boards, the Cosi Board of Directors, the Toledo Community Foundation Board, the Toledo Symphony Board and the United Way. He is a former Board of Trustees member for Owens Community College, Lourdes College, Davis College, the Toledo Area Chamber of Commerce, Cherry Street Mission and the Boys and Girls Club of Toledo.

View Ed Reiter's induction video.

Linda Davis Watters '75

Watters currently serves as vice president for government relations at John Hancock Insurance Company, a role which she took on in 2009. Previously, she was appointed by Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm as commissioner for the state's Office of Financial and Insurance Services. Since being named BGSU's Homecoming Queen in 1972, Watters has been involved with Hutzel Women's Hospital, the Urban Financial Services Coalition, the National Black MBA Association and several other organizations.

View Linda Davis Watters' induction video

Jack Williams, Jr. '79

Jack Williams is a partner for the law firm of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, which he joined in 2008. He is a former federal prosecutor with more than 20 years of experience as a trial lawyer and litigator. Since receiving a degree in business administration from BGSU, he moved on to earn an MBA from Cleveland State University and a juris doctorate from the University of Michigan Law School.

View Jack Williams' induction video

Past ceremonies and additional information