Scholarship & endowment continue the work Eric “Q” Beckman started

Attending winter classes at Delta College means facing the occasional snow storm. For students who arrived unprepared, there was an angel ready to help. A special faculty member kept large quantities of snow scrapers stored in the back of his truck and told students who needed one, to take one. 

That special faculty member was Eric “Q” Beckman, a beloved Delta associate professor of economics, who taught at the college from 2004 until his passing in 2021. He graduated from Owosso High School and was the first in his family to attend college, earning a master’s degree in applied economics from Central Michigan University.

For Q, education wasn’t just a job – it was a life calling – and he loved his students. His passion for teaching began when he substitute taught and the high school students appreciated his tattoos. They felt a connection to Q, which made it easier for him to teach. And, it made him realize this was what he wanted to do. 

The nickname “Q” started when Eric worked during college at Mt. Pleasant’s La Senorita restaurant. He had to change the letters on the sign to advertise the daily specials, and felt sorry for the letter Q. It never got used much, so he would leave it up in the corner of the board. The letter – and the name it inspired – stuck.

Q was involved in Delta’s Second Chance Pell Program, teaching incarcerated students at the Saginaw Correctional Facility in Freeland. He was known college-wide as an individual who respected and treated everyone equitably, regardless of their background. 

Music was Q’s lifelong passion, and his tastes were wide-ranging. He loved to listen to music, but also to play, especially as a member of the Uncle Skam Band.

Q presented a live TED Talk, participated in the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics and hosted his “legendary” Lawn Sport Olympics. He also took joy in playing Santa Claus and officiating weddings for friends. Above all, Q loved staying connected to his family (including sisters Janelle Hughes and Brittany Beckman, brother-in-law Aaron Hughes, a niece and three nephews) and friends.

Q passed away unexpectedly last year, but he is not forgotten. His mother and stepfather, Pam and Dan Butcher stepped forward to establish a scholarship for students. It honors his passion for seeing others succeed – especially those who may not have previously viewed college as a possibility.

Colleagues at the college also established the Eric “Q” Beckman Award for Exceptional Service, which recognizes adjunct (part-time) faculty members annually. The award recognizes dedication to supporting the well-being, learning, growth and development of
Delta College students. 

While shaping the award, Psychology Professor Jeff Dykhuizen said, “Q more than acknowledged and supported people. He was genuinely interested in people and wanted to know each person as they were.” Jeff spoke for everyone at Delta when he shared, “he was a model to us all.” 

If you would like support the Q Beckman scholarship, you may contribute online at delta.edu/donate.

Or, if you took a class from Mr. Beckman, and would like to share a story with his family, please send your comments to foundation@delta.edu.