Board of Trustees Creates ‘Beck College of Sciences and Mathematics’ at A-State
Buddy and Charlotte Beck
JONESBORO – In recognition of a lifetime of professional achievements by Buddy and Charlotte Beck, the Board of Trustees of the Arkansas State University System today approved a resolution naming an academic college at the Jonesboro campus in their honor.
Effective immediately, it is now the Beck College of Sciences and Mathematics. The Beck College is home to the Departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Physics, and Mathematics and Statistics.
“Through the Beck Foundation, Arkansas State University Distinguished Alumni Buddy and Charlotte Beck have made significant philanthropic contributions to the university of a magnitude worthy of special gratitude and lasting recognition,” stated the resolution that was adopted unanimously by the seven-member Board of Trustees.
The Beck Foundation provided the original funding to establish the nationally recognized Beck Center for Veterans at A-State. Other gifts over a period of years have supported creation of numerous endowed scholarships and endowed professorships, and they also provided funding for the Chancellor’s Medal for Research, given annually to the most outstanding faculty researcher.
The Beck Foundation has committed to endowing the Beck Scholars program to provide scholarships to those majoring in chemistry, physics or mathematics in an effort to recruit and retain gifted individuals who will go on to leadership and success in these and related professional fields. The foundation is also creating an endowment to support Create@State student research endeavors, endowing a fellowship in chemistry, physics or mathematics, and endowing the dean’s position in the newly named college.
“Empowering the next generation of innovators and problem solvers in the realms of Science and Mathematics is pivotal for shaping a brighter future,” according to a statement from the Beck Foundation. “We are proud to advance these areas of excellence at Arkansas State University.”
A-State Chancellor Todd Shields, who recommended the naming resolution, noted the Becks’ exemplary career achievements along with their generosity and longtime support of the university.
“I am deeply grateful to Buddy and Charlotte Beck for their unwavering commitment to Arkansas State University,” Shields said. “The Beck College of Sciences and Mathematics will not only celebrate their remarkable contributions, but will ensure their legacy inspires future generations of physicians, veterinarians, researchers, innovators and other professionals. The Becks’ visionary leadership has truly transformed our institution, and we extend our heartfelt thanks for their enduring impact on our community.”
A native of southeast Missouri, Beck earned his Army officer commission through ROTC at A-State, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. Later he completed his master's degree in systems management from the University of Southern California and graduated from the Army War College in 1976 with the Bicentennial Class. After serving the nation domestically as well as in Korea, Germany and Vietnam, he retired from the Army in 1984 after 26 years of distinguished service.
Charlotte V. Beck, who also attended A-State before marrying and supporting Buddy as he pursued his military career, received the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Arkansas State University in 2009 in recognition of her outstanding achievements and exemplary public service. She was recognized for generously giving her time and talent, exemplifying the power of volunteerism and philanthropy to benefit countless individuals.
Buddy Beck held numerous senior leadership positions in the private sector, founding and serving as president and CEO of several successful companies, including Trans Digital Technology, which advanced the nation’s ability to use technology to ensure its security and safety.
His companies supported millions of finger, face, palm and iris records and produced millions of secure credentials annually. These technological advances led in the production of secure and accurate driver's licenses and passports, and as a leader in the passport security market, including as provider for the U.S. Department of State and Department of Defense.
Mr. Beck has served on the board of directors for a number of public and private companies along with other national security boards and nonprofit organizations. He has been instrumental in the development of programs that focus on stimulating entrepreneurialism, job creation, leveraging technology into business applications, and advanced government-to-industry privatization initiatives.
In addition to serving on the White House National Security Council staff for Presidents Ford and Carter, he was a member of the Army Science Board and worked at the forefront of securing advanced technology identity solutions to help safeguard America after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
