(Kevin Kadooka -- The Beacon)
By Rachel McIntosh, Staff Writer -- mcintosh14@up.edu
As a man who has every right to be proud of the work he has done for UP, Bill Reed is the epitome of humility.
John and Patricia Beckman decided to honor the hard work and dedication of their longtime friend and UP's Events Director, Reed, by creating a scholarship in his honor.
"We believe it is important to recognize inspiring people like Bill before they retire," John said. "Bill has been around for quite a while and is an exemplary person who carries his job lightly and does well."
"We like his spirit and the way he does everything cheerfully. He is a great example to everyone," John added.
The scholarship is designated to support juniors or seniors with financial need as recognition of the investment they have made in their education. The scholarship is set up as a matching gift. That means the Beckmans will match $2 for every $1 donated by anyone to the scholarship fund, up to a total of $100,000.
"There are not enough scholarships available for students," Beckman said. "This scholarship is special because it helps the students who have two years left and are financially struggling to finish their education. We can't allow tuition to bury them."
Reed began working for UP 27 years ago as the alumni director. Even after almost three decades of service to UP, Reed still greets each day with the same contagious enthusiasm as he did on his first day on the job.
"I look forward to every day because it is different," Reed said. "I spend many parts of my day solving problems and making sure an event goes the way it is supposed to go. It makes me feel good when I can resolve the issues."
Reed remembers the night the Beckmans invited him over to dinner to give him the news of the proposed scholarship in his honor.
"It was both embarrassing and humbling," Reed said. "I am not the person that likes to be in the center of any fan fair … to the side, but not the center."
As the oldest of 12 children, Reed loves being around a lot of people and being a member of a team but he also appreciates the serenity of his garden.
"In my free time I enjoy spending time in the garden making things grow," Reed said. "I find that neither plants nor dirt can talk back to you."
Students can apply for this scholarship any time throughout the school year through the Office of Financial Aid. The focus of this scholarship is to assist students who have unexpected financial hardships that may result in their leaving the university before graduating.
"Students who have finished two or three years at UP have made a significant investment in their educations," Director of Annual Giving Diane Dickey said. "So, too, does the University have an investment in wanting dedicated students to succeed. The Bill Reed Scholarship is one means available to help ensure that the investment is realized."
Students interested in applying for this scholarship should contact Financial Aid to make sure the proper funds will be available by September.
Everyone who has worked with Reed agrees his accomplishments for UP are innumerable and priceless.
"I really don't have just one word to describe Bill because he is the person that seems to always be on campus and can get anything done that needs to be done," CPB Director-elect and sophomore Sean Ducey said. "I hope that one day I can be like him and be able to have all the patience in any situation that Bill always shows."
As Reed has worked with ASUP to plan and organize events, he has had the opportunity to inspire many students with his dedication to UP.
"Bill Reed is one of the reasons UP is the great place it has become," ASUP Vice President and senior Katie Scally said. "Every year he puts his entire heart and soul into the university as if every event is his last."
