Veteran Student Earns Zedlitz Award

April 24, 2025

Sergeant Walter Torres, an army veteran and student at Motlow State, is the 2025 recipient of the Zedlitz Award. This award was created in 2021 to recognize the service of Harold R. Hoeferkamp, Lt. Col. (ret) and Gerald O. Zedlitz (Capt. USAR) who served together as United States Army Infantry Officers attached to the 4th United States Army Missile Command (AT), Camp Page, Korea during the years 1962-1963.

Pictured: J. Mark Hutchins, Assistant Vice President for Corporate and Foundation Services; Sergeant Walter Torres, student award winner; Norma Zedlitz; and Jerry Zedlitz.

In order to be eligible for this award, a student must be a veteran or active-duty military personnel in the United States military and signify special achievement, excellence, hard work, unit pride, respect, and esprit de corps in their service, community, or campus.  Torres is one of 40 students in the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) System who received the Chancellor’s Coin of Commendation for Military Veterans. He received this commendation for his military service to defend freedom, the Constitution, and democracy as part of the system’s Veterans Day recognition program. This special recognition made him a worthy candidate for the Zedlitz Award.

During his service, he was an exemplar, earning numerous awards and medals for leadership and bravery, including the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with a Campaign Star, Army Commendation Medal, NATO Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Military Outstanding Volunteer Medal, and Parachutist Badge.

"We are proud of Sergeant Torres and all of our veteran and active-duty students at Motlow,” said Dr. Michael Torrence, President of Motlow State.  “Their service to our country is only further exemplified by their thirst for education, and they will continue to be outstanding representatives of Motlow in the future.”

Torres exudes excellence in all he does and is a prime example of a leader. If you are a veteran looking to attend college, visit motlow.edu/students/veterans/.