Karen Becklin, a retired NMSU employee and higher education advocate, will receive New Mexico State University’s Presidential Medallion during the university’s convocation ceremony at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16. The Presidential Medallion recognizes outstanding service individuals give to the university beyond their time as employees.
“For years now, Karen Becklin has given tremendous support to New Mexico State University,” said NMSU Chancellor Garrey Carruthers. “She’s devoted her life’s work to public policy and has also been very generous with her time, contributions and support of our students. While she often shuns the limelight, she richly deserves this recognition.”
Becklin is retired after a career in higher education at both the state and university levels. She holds a doctorate from NMSU and spent 20 years working on college and university policy and funding issues in New Mexico, with positions at the Commission on Higher Education, the Legislative Finance Committee and NMSU. She retired from NMSU in 2001 but currently serves on the university’s Labor Relations Board.
“NMSU is a great institution and an exciting place to work,” Becklin said. “I know there are a tremendous number of people at NMSU who feel strongly about the university’s contributions to the state and the nation.”
In 2013, Becklin donated $250,000 to help create the Becklin Public Policy Endowed Professorship in NMSU’s College of Business and Domenici Institute. The Domenici Institute hosts a yearly public policy conference as well as various public policy forums. Its goal is to engage the general public and encourage them to discuss and take part in issues of public interest, specifically when it comes to important policy matters. Becklin’s tireless commitment to well-informed public policy and research inspired her to establish a legacy that will pay dividends for future generations. The faculty member who holds the professorship will continue the work of those like Becklin and engage the public and especially students in the rigor of policy development on issues that impact our state and nation.
Information from NMSU