Alumni - Richland Community College

& AlumniFriendsFaculty SpotlightProfessor Karen BeckerRichland Community College Alumni NewsletterProfessor Karen Becker teaches Englishcomposition, literature, and filmstudies at Richland Community College.She is recognized as a distinguishedscholar, inspiring teacher, and experiencedadministrator.Professor Becker began her teachingcareer at Richland Community College in1983 as an adjunct instructor. During thistime, she also taught as an adjunct instructorat Millikin University. In 1988, Richland’sBoard of Trustees approved Professor Beckerfor a full-time, tenured faculty position.She received her B.A. and M.A. in Englishfrom Kansas State University and ABD inEnglish from the University of Missouri.Professor Becker’s passion for teachingand enthusiasm for movies led her to expandlearning opportunities for students by developing Richland’sfirst film class in 1988, which she continues to teach.In 1991, colleagues and students honored Professor Beckerwith the title of Faculty Member of the Year. Currently, sheserves as the President of the Richland Federation of Teachersand served in this position two times previously. From 1995-1997, Professor Becker served as Richland’s first representativeon the Faculty Advisory Committee to the Illinois Board ofHigher Education. Service on this committeeis considered an honor because the FacultyAdvisory Committee to the Illinois Board ofHigher Education only selects community collegerepresentatives every 30 years. From 1999-2002,Professor Becker’s career at Richland continuedas she served as the Academic Director of theCommunications Division.Professor Becker also plays an important rolein the community, as she is active in the DecaturFriends of the Library and currently serves asPresident of this organization.Richland Community College has alwaysbeen a family affair for the Beckers. Her latehusband, Dr. Stephen Becker, served on theRichland Board of Trustees from 1997 to 2001.Both children, Bryan and Kathleen, attendedthe Richland Child Development Center and areRichland graduates. Bryan graduated in 2009 and Kathleengraduated in 2006. Kathleen also graduated May 2009 fromthe University of Illinois – Champaign-Urbana.During the rare time when Professor Becker is not teaching,she enjoys reading, watching movies, working out at theYMCA, and playing bridge. She also has visited Englandtwice, and if independently wealthy, she would visit Londonevery year! If you would like to contact Professor Karen Becker,please email her at kbecker@richland.edu.U.S. Senator Dick Durbin Visits CampusRichland Community College was honored when U.S. Senator DickDurbin visited campus April 16 to hear firsthand from displacedworkers who are being retrained with federal stimulus dollars distributed byWorkforce Investment Solutions. Displaced workers shared their personaland work situations; where they were laid off from; what type of training theyare receiving at Richland; and how they are dealing with the situation. Manyof the displaced workers with young families are struggling with providinginsurance coverage. The Senator also visited classrooms where studentstalked with him about their specific training. Displaced workers expressedtheir genuine appreciation for the stimulus funding that is providing them anopportunity to retrain.10 Spring/Summer 2009