Walter Eggert Beach '56
Doctor of Public Service

Honorary degree citation read by Provost Neil Weissman
Saturday, Nov. 25, 2006
Cosmos Club, Washington, D.C.

Today we honor Walter E. Beach, an exemplary alumnus of Dickinson College and a dedicated public servant. The American Political Science Association described Walter as “an enthusiastic citizen of political science and of public life, a benefactor to many, and a friend to all.” His many friends at Dickinson College would add “role model” and “sage counsel” to those descriptors.

Dedicated to the health and welfare of the political science profession and its sustaining organizations, Walter was instrumental in the development of the early international activities of the American Political Science Association. He directed the Congressional Fellowship Program and served as editor of PS: Political Science & Politics during his fifteen years with the Association. He played a significant role in the development of the Southern Political Science Association and sustained the activity of the National Capital Area Political Science Association through his work as its secretary treasurer for more than 25 years. His commitment to the diffusion of scholarly work continued through his time at the Brookings Institution and his years directing Heldref Publications.

Many organizations headquartered in Washington , such as the International Eye Foundation and the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area, were strengthened by his leadership. Walter's commitment to higher education was evidenced by his years of service as a trustee of both Dickinson and Mount Vernon Colleges and his directorship at the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars, where he was a founding member.

Walter was tireless in his efforts to advance the mission and prestige of Dickinson College . His career in public service gave him a broad sphere of influence which he used unstintingly to Dickinson 's benefit. He served on numerous college organizations, including the Board of Trustees, the Washington chapter of the Alumni Club, the Friends of the Library, the Trout Gallery Advisory Board, the Dickinson Bicentennial Committee and the most recent Presidential Search Committee.

More important even than such formal service was Walter's informal activity on behalf of his alma mater. The single phrase that will remain most closely associated with him on campus is the exhortation to “Say ‘ Dickinson ' three times a day.” He was tireless in using his personal and professional network to connect descendants of prominent Dickinsonians to the college, to identify individuals to receive honorary degrees and other college awards, and to recruit many young men and women to attend Dickinson .

These networking efforts extended to helping the college re-establish connections to its history, as well. Walter and his family have been generous contributors to the college's archives, providing many original manuscripts including, for example, letters from Richard Rush and members of James Buchanan's cabinet and the text of a rare 1764 speech by John Dickinson.

In 2004 he saw the culmination of a 40-year crusade to bring a statue of Benjamin Rush to the campus. Thanks to the efforts of Walter, his brother Allen Beach and Sherwood Goldberg, a replica of the larger-than-life statue of college founder Benjamin Rush, located in Washington , D.C. on the grounds of the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, was commissioned for installation on the Dickinson campus. The original monument, by renowned sculptor Roland Hinton Perry, was funded by members of the American Medical Association and accepted by President Theodore Roosevelt at dedication ceremonies on June 11, 1904. In June 2004 – precisely and uncannily one century later – the replica was dedicated on campus.

Walter's networking activity looked to the future as well as the past. In 1999, he and his brother Allen established the Liselotte von Usedom Beach Scholarship Endowment in memory of their mother. The scholarship supports a sophomore student majoring in German and will encourage many future generations of Dickinsonians.

In 1992, the College recognized Walter's outstanding service and loyalty as well as his professional accomplishments with the Distinguished Alumni Award. His other awards include the Frank Goodnow Distinguished Service Award from the American Political Science Association, the Elizabeth J. Sommers Award for Distinguished Service from Mount Vernon College , the Community Service Award from the Prevention of Blindness Society, and numerous recognition awards for service to his profession.

Today we add one more award to his very considerable list of accolades and achievements. Mr. President, it is a privilege and an honor to recommend to you Walter Eggert Beach , class of 1956, for the honorary degree of Doctor of Public Service.

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