EMU Today

As a freshman at Eastern Michigan University in 1963, Dennis Beagen [BS66] wanted two things: to play collegiate basketball and to continue working weekends at a local veterinary clinic.

Although basketball didn’t work out and the weekend job didn’t last, Beagen’s tenure at EMU—as a student, teaching assistant, faculty member, director of the nationally renowned Forensics program, administrator, and member of the Board of Regents—continues after 59 years.

“I’ve never really left Eastern,” says Beagen, a resident of Farmington Hills. “I’ve been so fortunate. I could never have imagined what the University would mean to me. It’s been a source of many opportunities, which is what we want for all of our students.”

Actually, Beagen nearly left Eastern before his second semester. But Reinhardt Wittke, a professor of history, took him aside for a chat.

“Like many first semester students, I was homesick and somewhat lost,” Beagen says. “I was enrolled in Dr. Wittke’s History of Civilization class. Late in the fall, I shared with him my reservations and fears about returning for the winter semester. He was understanding and very supportive. As I was leaving, he said, “Dennis, I hope you’ll give EMU one more semester and see what you think then?’

“I did just that, and it was the best decision I ever made. As a faculty member, administrator and Regent, I’ve had some incredible role models and mentors. Dr. Wittke and I remained close friends until he passed in the spring of 2021 shortly after his 100th birthday.”

Another stroke of fortune came when an academic adviser enrolled Beagen in a “Fundamental of Speech” class. 

“I immediately began to panic—the thought of giving a speech was the last thing I wanted to do,” Beagen says. “I was told all students had to take it in order to graduate. I got through that class and the instructor encouraged me to take ‘Advanced Public Speaking.’ I started to like it. The instructor, Professor Gary Evans, was amazing. He’s the reason I pursued a major and career in speech communication. He was a huge influence in my life as a mentor, colleague, and dear friend.”

After earning his undergraduate degree, Beagen became a graduate teaching assistant in EMU’s Department of Speech and Dramatic Arts while earning his master’s at the University of Michigan. That led to his involvement in Eastern’s Forensics program as an assistant coach in 1967.

By 1970, Beagen had become the program director—a position he held through 1981. Under his guidance, EMU students won eight national team championships, four top speaker in the nation titles, and 27 individual national championships.

“I’ve always been taken by the power of the word, whether through a written message or a public speech,” Beagen says. “As a coach, it was very gratifying to see students come alive when speaking publicly.”

Beagen completed coursework for a doctorate at Wayne State University while continuing to teach and coach. In 1981, he retired and considered leaving academia for the business world (he’d minored in business management at Eastern and had long been interested in public relations).

“The department head of Communication, Media and Theatre Arts was stepping down and returning to being a faculty member,” Beagen says. “A colleague urged me to apply for the open position. To my surprise, I got it and was deeply honored and excited.”

Beagen’s shift to university administration led to roles as interim associate provost for Academic Affairs and interim dean of Continuing Education. He also served on numerous task forces and completed special assignments, including being Chair of the Planning Committee for EMU’s Undergraduate Symposium. Before retiring from academic administration in 2012, he’d earned the 2011 Presidential Award for Faculty and Staff Leadership in Advancement, the EMU Alumni Association’s Teaching Excellence Award, and emeritus faculty/administrative status.

But he hadn’t finished just yet.

“Shortly after I retired, a close friend who worked with then-Governor Rick Snyder asked if I’d be interested in becoming a Regent,” Beagen says. “My fundraising experience for the Forensics team, EMU Theatre, and the Undergraduate Symposium was the basis of my being advanced as a candidate.”

Governor Snyder appointed Beagen to the Board of Regents in 2014. 

“As a Regent, I’ve had the good fortune of working with three excellent board chairs who assigned me to committees and leadership roles congruent with my interests and experience,” Beagen says. “With the collaboration and support of fellow regents, we’ve approved significant facility enhancements, new construction, and third-party partnerships that ensure Eastern will remain a trusted and well-respected institution that is an incredible source of opportunity for students.”

Beagen’s term expires in December, which may mark the beginning of a new chapter: full-fledged retirement.

“My wife Charline and I hope to spend time together golfing, gardening, or just reading,” says Beagen. “My EMU career has been a wonderful run. I'm very proud of all that we’ve accomplished and am thankful to students, faculty, colleagues, alumni, and friends.”

Editor's Note: This is the second in a series of feature stories about members of the EMU Board of Regents. We will be featuring a Regent each Wednesday from now through November. On Sept. 28, we featured Regent Michelle Crumm. 

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 15,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.