Beginning in 2013, Laurie Becvar was appointed by the board of directors as the president and the chief operating officer of the Crazy Horse Memorial.
RAPID CITY, SD, June 17, 2021 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Laurie Becvar has been inducted into Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
With over three decades of experience in higher education and nonprofit administration, Dr. Becvar's strengths lie in developing innovating programming, combining business acumen with higher education, managing change, creating effective organizational operations and strategic planning. Beginning in 2013, she was appointed by the board of directors as the president and the chief operating officer of the Crazy Horse Memorial. In this role, she works tirelessly with other devoted managers and staff to protect and preserve the culture, traditions and living heritage of the indigenous people of North America. Dr. Becvar leads the educational and administrative components of the memorial, including finance, information technology, central office operations, development, human resources, legal affairs, risk management and visitor services. Moreover, she is tasked with overseeing The Indian University of North America and the Indian Museum of North America.
Harboring a lifelong passion for teaching and education, Dr. Becvar began to gravitate toward administration while completing her undergraduate education. She obtained Bachelor's degree, with honors, in general studies from Wichita State University and a Master of Arts in higher education administration from the University of South Dakota. Thereafter, Dr. Becvar earned a management diploma from Bryn Mawr College.
Dr. Becvar later returned to the University of South Dakota to graduate with a Doctor of Education in higher education administration. Prior to her career with the Crazy Horse Memorial, she found notable success as the chief academic officer at Mount Marty College and Presentation College and as the dean of the graduate school, the dean of the division of continuing and distance education at the University of South Dakota. Likewise, Dr. Becvar served as the senior associate provost at the University of South Dakota.
In tandem with Monique Ziolkowski, Dr. Becvar is honored to have led the Crazy Horse Memorial sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski and chief executive officer of Crazy Horse Memorial, the Memorial's board of directors and other devoted managers and staff. Dr. Becvar is honored to be a part of leading Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation in becoming an internationally known public charity. Crazy Horse Memorial is gratified to have received donations from every state in the United States, as well as 54 additional countries. Furthermore, the board of directors, chief executive officer and Dr. Becvar as president and chief operations officer are currently leading a $50 million campaign. For her achievements, she is proud to have been a recipient of the Presidential Award for Academic Innovation and Achievement from the University of South Dakota. Additionally, Dr. Becvar is recognized as a Bush Foundation Fellow, an Up and Coming Leader by Eyes on You and as a Volunteer of the Year by the Federal Prison Camp in Yankton, South Dakota.
Over the course of her career, Dr. Becvar has provided consultation services to nearly 15 colleges and universities across the United States. She has presented her research across South Dakota and beyond, and has received grants from various foundations. Committed to her community, she and her husband have owned numerous small businesses and have been actively involved in farming and ranching. Looking toward the future, Dr. Becvar aims to continue in her leadership position at the memorial and participate in other educational interests.
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Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Today, Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® now publishes many Who's Who titles, including Who's Who in America®, Who's Who in the World®, Who's Who in American Law®, Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare®, Who's Who in Science and Engineering®, and Who's Who in Asia®. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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