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University of Portland alumnus John Becic '52 gives $100,000 to establish professorship in accounting and help with upgrades of Joe Etzel Field

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Business

Athletics

July 20, 2015

University of Portland has received a $100,000 gift from alumnus John N. Becic, who graduated in 1952 with a degree in accounting. With his gift, the University has established the John Becic Distinguished Professorship in Accounting within the Pamplin School of Business. In addition, a portion of his gift will provide support for recent and future upgrades of Joe Etzel Field and the University’s baseball program.


Becic has been a strong supporter of the University and its athletic programs, especially baseball. While a student of the University, he was a pitcher for the baseball program.  He joined the U.S. Army after graduation, and upon his return to the Portland area was on the Dean’s Executive Council as an alumnus. He had a career in accounting mostly in the Medford area. John and his wife Inez have four daughters and 13 grandchildren and currently live in the Portland area.

Accounting professor Ellen Lippman has been appointed the inaugural holder of the John Becic Distinguished Professorship in Accounting, announced business dean Robin Anderson, who is also the Franz Chair in Entrepreneurship and a UP professor.

“The generous gift from John Becic will support programs and activities to enhance the student-learning experience and promote professional growth and leadership development,” said Anderson.

The professorship will provide for such activities as a weekly Accounting Mentoring Forum and a professional speaker series to develop awareness of career opportunities and create relationships among students, alumni, and local management professionals. Other plans call for a comprehensive leadership development program offered by the Franz Center for Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation. 

Becic was an original member of Slabtown Boys, a group that has included as many as 25 former Pilots who played baseball on the Bluff or at St. Patrick’s church and school between the 1940s and 1970s.