2016 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient

Fred Ketchem, 1978 graduate of Northwest Florida State College (formerly Okaloosa-Walton Junior College) joined the Navy after a brief stent at Florida State University. After his Navy enlistment, he served in more than 100 countries as a member of the Department of State, Diplomatic Security Services (DSS), several years of which were as Chief Agent in Charge of the protective detail for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. During his years of service, he was awarded the Department of State’s Award for Heroism for “selfless actions under fire while in Iraq,” was nominated by Secretary Clinton and received the Department of State’s Distinguished Honor Award in 2013, and was named the 2008 Diplomatic Security Employee of the Year. Mr. Ketchem credits OWJC for providing a firm foundation for his future education. The small class size and excellent instructors helped him adjust to college life quickly.

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