Dennis M. Beagen
Dennis M. Beagen
Dennis Beagen was appointed by Governor Rick Snyder in December of 2014 to replace Floyd Clack, whose term had expired. He is appointed for a term expiring December 2022.
Beagen was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. Upon graduation from high school in 1963, he enrolled at Eastern Michigan University. He received his undergraduate degree from EMU in three years majoring in speech-communication with a minor in business management. After receiving his bachelor’s degree from EMU, he was admitted to graduate school at the University of Michigan while serving as a graduate teaching assistant at EMU.
While serving as graduate teaching assistant in the Department of Speech and Dramatic Arts, Beagen volunteered to coach EMU students competing in intercollegiate forensics and debate. After completing his Master’s from the University of Michigan in the summer of 1967, he was hired at EMU as a full-time instructor of speech, and assistant coach for the EMU Forensic/Debate team. He then enrolled at Wayne State University, and completed all course work for his doctoral program.
In 1970, Beagen was appointed director of the EMU Forensic program. A position he held until 1981. During his tenure as director of forensics, EMU students achieved a total of eight national team championships, four top speaker in the nation titles, and 27 individual national championships.
In the summer of 1981, he was appointed administrative head of the Department of Communication, Media and Theatre Arts. He served in that role for more than three decades. During his tenure as department head for CMTA, Beagen also was appointed to interim administrative positions as Associate Provost for Academic Affairs and Dean of Continuing Education.
Beagen was also appointed to numerous special assignments and task forces, including numerous EMU negotiating teams (faculty, professional technical and clerical); chair of the 2005 President Search Committee; special assistant to the Provost for the Campaign for Scholars and chair of the Planning Committee for EMU's prestigious Undergraduate Research Symposium. After more than 45 years of service, Beagen was granted emeritus faculty/administrative status from the Department of Communication, Media and Theatre Arts.
He is a recipient of the EMU Alumni Association's Teaching Excellence Award, and the Dr. John Porter Distinguished Service Award. In 2003, he received the Institutional Values Award for Team Excellence (Undergraduate Symposium). He was also the recipient of the 2011 Presidential Award for Faculty and Staff Leadership in Advancement. In 2012, he was appointed by Governor Snyder to the Michigan Gaming Control Board and served on the board for 2 years.
Regent Beagen is currently Chair of the Student Affairs Committee and serves as Chair of the Education Policies Committee. In addition, he serves on the Eagle Administrative Services Board.
First appointed: January 2015
Current term expires: December 2022
Contact Info
Meet Regent Dennis Beagen: A Career of Service
Board of Regents Office
207 Welch Hall
Ypsilanti, MI 48197