Rear admiral who helped with Asian tsunami named OSU Homecoming grand marshal

Thursday, September 15, 2005

The Oklahoma State University Homecoming Committee announced that William McDaniel, a retired rear admiral and OSU Alumni Association Hall of Famer, will be this year’s Homecoming parade grand marshal.

Most recently, McDaniel was hired to lead a team into Banda Aceh, and later to Nias, both in Indonesia, to help with recovery efforts after the Asian tsunami. The team, which preceded the USNS Mercury, spent several months working on public health and other issues. He also served as the federal liaison for Johns Hopkins University following the tragedy of 9/11.

McDaniel came to OSU on a full wrestling scholarship. After graduating in 1964, he received his medical degree and had an outstanding medical career with the U.S. Navy.

During his time in the Navy, he held several titles. He was commander of both the U.S. Naval Hospital in Charleston, South Carolina, and the Navy Medical Center in Portsmouth, Virginia. He also served as surgeon of the U.S. Pacific Command in Camp H.M. Smith in Hawaii.

In 1984, McDaniel served as a doctor for the U.S. Olympic team and was involved with the Olympics until 2000. He worked with the USA Wrestling Team in 2002. In 1994, McDaniel was inducted into the OSU Alumni Association Hall of Fame.

The Homecoming committee also announced that Habitat for Humanity is the 2005 Homecoming celebration’s target philanthropy. Chesapeake Energy Corporation will sponsor OSU’s Homecoming and will partner with OSU to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity through various Homecoming activities. Student groups will donate time to help build the Habitat house.

Homecoming week at OSU begins Oct. 23. The Homecoming parade is currently scheduled at 9 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 29, prior to OSU’s football game with the University of Texas. If the game is changed to 11:30 a.m. due to being televised, the parade will begin at 8 a.m.