SAN ANGELO, TX - In commemoration of Veterans Day, Angelo State University has named alumnus Ricky A. Hudec, a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, the 2025 ASU Veteran of the Year.
A 1978 ASU alumnus, Hudec graduated and received his Air Force commission through Angelo State's ROTC Det. 847, where he also met his wife, 1980 ASU graduate Dr. Laurita Old Hudec. Both attended ASU on Carr Scholarships, and they were mentored in ROTC by their cadet flight commander, now-ASU President Ronnie Hawkins.
Upon entering Air Force active duty in 1979, Hudec served tours in South Korea and Nevada as a weapons controller before being selected for flight training as a navigator. He then served as a weapons system officer and electronic warfare officer on F-111 "Aardvark" fighter/bombers out of Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, before moving into various training and leadership roles at Mountain Home AFB, Torrejon Air Base in Spain and the Air Force Electronic Warfare Center at Kelly AFB in San Antonio.
From 1992-94, Hudec was on inactive reserve status until returning to active duty to serve as an analyst at the Defense Intelligence Agency in Washington, D.C., and the Joint Information Operations Warfare Command (JIOWC) at Lackland AFB in San Antonio. He retired in 2009, but was soon called back to active duty at the JIOWC, where he served until his final retirement in 2012.
Together, the Hudecs have established the Lt Col Ricky A. Hudec & Dr. Laurita Old Hudec DNP APRN WHNP-BC Scholarship Endowment benefiting Angelo State ROTC students.
"I always look forward to presenting this award, and it's particularly gratifying to recognize one of my peer group of former ASU cadets," Hawkins said. "It's also a privilege to honor a member of the Ram Family who has had an outstanding military career and graciously continues to support our alma mater. Ricky Hudec personifies our Core Value of what it means to be 'significant' and construct a legacy of dynamic impact beyond ourselves. We are proud to honor him as our 2025 ASU Veteran of the Year."
Hudec's many military honors and awards include the Global War on Terrorism Medal, National Defense Medal with Service Star, Combat Readiness Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, and Defense Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. He also earned a Senior Weapons Director Badge and Senior Navigator Wings.
The ASU Veteran of the Year program is sponsored by ASU's Veterans Educational and Transitional Services (VETS) Center and Division of External Affairs.
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