William Harper serves wherever he can: his country, his community, and even his UAH campus

By Lucy Alred

As a United States Air Force cadet wing commander, Huntsville Police Department SkyFire drone pilot, search and rescue squad volunteer and full-time junior analytics student, Top 20 honoree William Harper is proof that one person’s impact can be felt by many. 

Harper, an Athens native, has a love for serving and caring for others. He originally had planned on a career in nursing but felt a calling to serve his country and explore a major in analytics. 

“I decided I can come back to nursing later,” he said. “I need to do the Air Force now.” 

After making the change to study analytics while serving in the Air Force, he significantly increased his grade point average, earned the Capt. Brian Thomas Memorial Scholarship, achieved recognition on the UAH President's List and fell in love with analytics and his career trajectory.

In the Air Force, Harper was chosen among his peers to serve as a cadet wing commander, leading a group of 80 other Air Force cadets. The inspiration he hopes to have goes far beyond military service. He finds fulfillment in the ability to influence future generations in many aspects of their life, describing it as a feeling like no other. 

“I hope that I have a positive impact and add to their skill set for their careers and their life.It’s not just about the military.” 

Through his service at the Huntsville Police Department, Harper works in surveillance, enabling him to assist officers and provide an extra layer of safety for those on the front line as well as for civilians. 

Harper also volunteers his time to local search and rescue squads, spending time with veterans, serving in local community homes, supporting aerospace awareness events, educating local youth on the military, working on campus as a UAH Lancer, and serving the community through the Air Power Association and the Air Force Auxiliary. 

Harper wants those around him to know that he is there to support them. 

“I always try to make sure people know we’re here, just saying ‘hi’ or ‘how’s your day going’. I feel like we don’t check in on people enough. I just like having an impact and caring for people.”

Harper plans to continue serving our country by working as an Air Force officer. He is set to graduate from UAH in May 2027, but he hasn’t forgotten his original calling. Eventually, he wants to come back to college and pursue a second degree in nursing.