Rockville Campus Quad Named for Becker Family
Inauguration week at the College included a celebration of philanthropists Arthur and Miriam Becker with an October 16 event marking the official renaming of the Rockville Campus Quad as the Arthur and Miriam Becker Family Quad. Becker family members attended the event and applauded the unveiling of a permanent quad marker.
Arthur Becker, a successful real-estate developer, was instrumental in securing the
land on which the Rockville Campus sits. Both he and Miriam were longtime supporters
of the Montgomery College Foundation and contributed to scholarships. During their
lifetime,
they generously supported MC students through scholarships.
Meeting students and receiving their thank-you letters brought the Beckers great joy. To-date, more than 400 students have received the Arthur P. and Miriam G. Becker Scholarship. With the family’s ongoing support, that number will only continue to grow.
“Although Arthur Becker will always be known for the impact he had on Montgomery County as a real estate developer, his greatest impact has been helping families throughout Montgomery County gain access to higher education,” said Dr. Williams, Montgomery College president.
Two Becker scholarship recipients spoke at the event: Catherine Shelton ’15, a U.S. Air Force veteran who is now pursuing a master’s degree in aerospace engineering at the Whiting School of Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, and Maura Ayala, a 2019 Clarksburg High School graduate and current MC student who aspires to become a dental hygienist.
Shelton credited her MC professors and the small class sizes for her success. Ayala described juggling rigorous academic courses, including microbiology, essentials of organic and biochemistry, human development, and pre-calculus, while holding down a job.
Montgomery County Council President Gabe Albornoz participated, representing the significant investment of the county and state to make the Quad possible. Completed as part of the Long Nguyen and Kimmy Duong Student Services Center project, leaders saw the value of providing the funding needed to create this beautiful campus gathering spot that supports student success.