Agriculture Alumnus Memorialized Via New Endowment Fund
April 22, 2024
MACOMB, IL – – The life and spectacular profession of WIU alumnus Cliff Becker are being memorialized via a brand new fund for the Faculty of Agriculture.
Becker, initially from Oak Park, IL, graduated from WIU with a level in Agriculture in 1984. He was a fourth-generation farmer who had a powerful 39-year profession within the agricultural subject. Becker spent greater than 10 years as govt vice chairman at Farm Journal and 23 years with Vance Publishing, the place he served as senior vice chairman and publishing director for his or her food360 division. At his passing, Becker was the vice chairman of New Campus Improvement for the American Royal in Kansas Metropolis, MO.
Becker was a passionate graduate, staying concerned in lots of capacities with the WIU Faculty of Agriculture, together with serving because the vice chairman of the Faculty’s Advisory Board. In 2021, Becker was named a Faculty of Agriculture Distinguished Alumnus.
“Cliff was a really supporting alumnus, who all the time had a constructive, partaking, energetic angle. He was all the time prepared to share his reminiscences and tales about his time at WIU. Cliff was the keynote speaker on the 2017 Ag Expo and emceed the Faculty of Agriculture a hundredth anniversary banquet and different alumni occasions,” Faculty of Agriculture Director Andy Baker stated.
That zeal for Becker’s alma mater and educational program has led his spouse, Kristine, to decide on to protect Cliff’s reminiscence via the brand new Cliff Becker Agriculture Excellence Fund. When endowed, this fund will present unrestricted assets yearly to permit the Faculty of Agriculture to pursue rising alternatives, deal with its highest wants and help pupil success.
“Cliff was an enormous proponent of protecting youth concerned within the agricultural sector. He needed to work and assist himself via college. Staying concerned with the faculty and with the ability to supply his perception, transfer tasks ahead, be an influencer and proceed to convey school college students into the fields was tremendous necessary to him,” Kristine stated.
Becker developed a number of connections all through his spectacular profession within the agricultural publishing trade and his accomplishments on the American Royal, offering Kristine with a number of choices for establishing a everlasting memorial in his honor.
“I actually felt that establishing a fund at WIU actually spoke to Cliff and what his wishes can be. When it comes to shifting his legacy ahead and having a much bigger affect, it made sense to work with WIU,” Kristine stated.
In line with Baker, the Becker Fund will help his staff in recognizing people and actions that characterize Becker’s grit, power, resilience and constructive angle.
“Cliff was well-loved. He was really a present. It is such an honor to see him proceed to be acknowledged for every little thing that he contributed. My hope is Cliff’s title, his ardour and every little thing that he was about stays within the forefront,” Kristine stated.
“This primary-of-its-kind, unrestricted fund is an unimaginable tribute to Cliff and all that he helped additional along with his involvement with the Faculty of Agriculture. We’re so grateful for the items Cliff gave to WIU throughout his lifetime via volunteering and his philanthropy, and we’re overwhelmed by the outpouring of help that others have proven to assist set up this fund in Cliff’s reminiscence. Our purpose is to endow this fund so that it’s going to help the Faculty of Agriculture in perpetuity,” School of Enterprise and Expertise Director of Improvement Liz Gougeon stated.
The response to the institution of the Becker Fund has been robust. Up to now, greater than 90 people have chosen to honor Becker with a present to the fund. Alumni, associates and different supporters are invited to help this initiative and push the Becker Fund to endowment degree.
The Faculty of Agriculture Advisory Board has elected to champion the Becker Fund throughout this week’s Western Problem, WIU’s ninth annual day of giving, scheduled for Wednesday, April 24. Throughout the 24-hour fundraising initiative, monetary help for any space is inspired. To direct a present to the Cliff Becker Agriculture Excellence Fund, go to bit.ly/WC24_BECKER_AG_EXCELLENCE_FUND.
Posted By: Drew Donahoo (AM-Donahoo@wiu.edu)
Workplace of College Communications & Advertising