Sam Becker
Age: 87. Professor, departmental chair, interim provost, trusted teacher and counselor, grew the University of Iowa’s communications studies program to national prominence and is now called by some a “living legend” with a prominent campus building bearing his name. The Quincy native became a faculty member in 1950 and full professor in 1961. With bow tie and suspenders as his trademark, he guided some 60 dissertations, authored eight books and hundreds of articles, served on more than 50 university committees including Faculty Senate, which he chaired. He also served as faculty representative to the Big Ten and NCAA.