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Becker, William C. Memorial Scholarship

The William C. Becker Memorial Scholarship was established in remembrance of William C. Becker, September 1, 1929 – July 14, 2003, by his wife, Judy.

After his family, University of Akron School of Law Professor Emeritus Bill Becker loved his country, the legal profession, and teaching. He was a generous and selfless man who put the interests of the community and others ahead of his own. Professor Becker’s sense of duty, work ethic, and desire to give to the community were high and strong, as evidenced by his receipt of the Sir Thomas More Award in 2000, the Ohio State Bar Foundation Honorary Life Fellowship Award in 1999, and the United Way Person of the Year Award in 1983.

Following a career that encompassed service in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War; 20 years in the naval reserves; three years in private practice at the law firm of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey; 26 years with the BFGoodrich Company in the Law Department; and numerous volunteer activities, including bar counsel for the Akron Bar Association, vice chair of the State Bar Ethics Committee, and member of the Supreme Court of Ohio Task Force to consider revisions in the code of responsibility for the State of Ohio, Bill Becker embarked upon a second career, devoting his time, wisdom, and knowledge to law students at The University of Akron School of Law. Professor Becker taught Products Liability, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Lawyer as Negotiator classes; held the position of Associate Dean of Students; and served as chair of the School of Law Admissions Committee. He was best known, however, for his work in the field of ethics and professional responsibility. He co-founded The Joseph G. Miller and William C. Becker Institute for Professional Responsibility and served as its first director.

Professor Becker loved the School of Law, and he loved the law students. The subject of legal ethics and professional responsibility was a “big deal” to Professor Becker. His simple and direct telephone greeting of “Becker!” or “Becker, here!” mirrored the way in which he considered, analyzed, and discussed issues of importance. Perhaps because his own education was interrupted by the War, Professor Becker had a special concern for evening law students and others who followed a non-traditional path to law school. The William C. Becker Memorial Scholarship pays tribute to the many ways Bill Becker — husband, father, grandfather, friend, colleague, teacher, Naval Officer, business executive, author, volunteer, community citizen — made a difference.

The purpose of The William C. Becker Memorial Scholarship is to provide assistance for a second-year evening law student enrolled in Professional Responsibility at The University of Akron School of Law. In awarding the scholarship, the faculty responsible for teaching Professional Responsibility will provide the School of Law Scholarship Committee three to five students who best exemplify the qualities and characteristics of Professor Becker, as noted above, and have a demonstrated interest/achievement in the field of ethics and professional responsibility. The School of Law Scholarship Committee will select The William C. Becker Memorial Scholar from the list of candidates based on financial need, with approval from the dean of The University of Akron School of Law.