DOCTORATE OF HUMANE LETTERS

Ray Beebe is being recognized for his outstanding achievement in his profession, service to his community, dedication to higher education, and support of Waldorf University.

Mr. Beebe received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Iowa State University in 1964 and his Juris Doctor degree with distinction from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1967. He was a founding member and first Chairman of the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) Lawyer’s Committee. In 1974 Mr. Beebe joined Winnebago Industries where he served as general counsel for 38 years. Mr. Beebe has received a number of prestigious awards for his professional work, including the Excellence in Legislative Advocacy Award by The Iowa State Bar Association and the RVIA National Legislative Award.

Mr. Beebe is an extraordinary volunteer within the community and has served a multitude of local organizations and charities, particularly with foster care, youth services and youth mentoring. His service has been recognized with his induction into the Forest City Education Hall of Fame, and the Forest City Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award. He is an active member of Rotary Club of Forest City, Forest City Economic Development, and Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Mr. Beebe has invested his philanthropic energies toward supporting the youth of North Central Iowa. He chairs both the Forest City Educational Foundation and the Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation. These entities have increased in both their visibility and their assets under Mr. Beebe’s leadership. Through these foundations, Mr. Beebe has kept the dream of attending college, or at least making it much more affordable, for countless students.

Mr. Beebe’s investment in the youth is not merely an academic or financial one. Each year, he invites Waldorf students for a focus group and asks about their experience and interests. He uses this interaction for his article in the Waldorf Magazine. He continues to follow up with these students throughout their Waldorf career. In addition, Ray and his wife Joan have hosted students at their homes over breaks and longer periods of time. Ray also invites Forest City high school students to breakfast to mentor them and checks up with them when they return to Forest City on breaks from college.

Finally, Mr. Beebe has been a major advocate for Waldorf University in the larger community. He has written several editorials in the local paper noting the positive progression of Waldorf over the years. He continually speaks highly of Waldorf and the faculty, staff and students at Rotary and other public gatherings.