SIU dedicates renovated boathouse to Ralph E. Becker

A few hours before Saturday's Cardboard Boat Regatta began, dignitaries and guests gathered at Campus Lake to dedicate the newly renovated boathouse and pavilion to 1955 SIU alumnus Ralph E. Becker, whose donation of $1 millions made the work possible.

Becker, who attended the dedication with his family, is one of the pioneers of the university's radio-television program and a recipient of the Alumni Achievement Award. During his long career, Becker managed radio stations, produced and directed radio and television programs, worked on numerous advertising and marketing campaigns, and served as president and CEO for a group of television stations.

Becker and his wife, Jane, live in Winston-Salem, N.C., and are longtime supporters of SIU.

"I want to challenge everyone to give back to others, and to what is important to them," Becker said.

The boathouse, built in 1959, had been home to countless celebrations by generations of SIU students, staff and community members. But the most popular Campus Lake event, by far, has been and remains the Great Cardboard Boat Regatta. The boathouse and pavilion have been the venue for the regatta since its inception in 1974, but for the past two years, the event was held at Evergreen Park while Campus Lake was being drained and cleared of toxic algae.

The renovated facility includes event space for a number of purposes, including classroom and social activities. Also dedicated Saturday as part of the pavilion were the Franklin N. Stanton Classroom and the Charles C. Hines Plaza.

The late Frank Stanton was Becker's "mentor and friend," president of CBS from 1946 to 1971, and the network's vice chairman from 1971 until his retirement in 1973.

The late Charles C. Hines, a 1954 SIU alumnus, was a prominent Carbondale attorney and Air Force veteran. He founded the law firm of Twomey and Hines with George Twomey in 1963 and served as special assistant attorney general for Illinois between 1981 and 1982.