Julius and Louise Becton

Lt. General (Retired) Julius Wesley Becton, Jr. graduated from Prairie View Agricultural & Mechanical College of Texas in 1960 with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and Mrs. Louise T. Becton graduated in 1959 with a bachelor’s degree in nursing education. From 1989 until 1994, General and Mrs. Becton returned to their alma mater as president and first lady. General Becton served in the United States Army for almost 40 years and retired at the rank of Lieutenant General. He is a veteran of three wars and was the first graduate of Prairie View A&M University to attain star rank in the military. General Becton served as the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency from 1985 to 1989. His last civilian post was as CEO/Superintendent of public schools in the District of Columbia. General Becton has been listed several times by Ebony magazine as ‘One of the 100 Most Influential Blacks in America.’ In 2007, he was selected to receive the George Catlett Marshall Medal, the highest award presented by the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA), for being a ‘soldier, combat commander, administrator, educator, public servant, government leader, and role model.’ In April 2008, he received the University of Maryland President’s Distinguished Alumnus Award. General Becton’s autobiography, “Becton: Autobiography of a Soldier and Public Servant,” highlights his remarkable career and reveals the influences that contributed to his success. Currently, the book is available online and through major book sellers. The Bectons continue their spirit of giving back by donating a percentage of the book’s sales to the University.