August 16, 2012
A scholarship has been established at Shawnee State University to honor the memory of Brian Beckett who died Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011, at Southern Ohio Medical Center. He was only 54 years old. He was also an associate pastor of Grace Baptist Church.
Beckett was a paramedic at Minford Squad 3 and a former employee of Southern Ohio Medical Center and Life Ambulance. The scholarship is an annual award for Ohio Certified EMTs pursuing the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Emergency Medical Technology.
"He was dependable, hard-working, kind and caring," said Mary Kate Diltz Skaggs, director of the SOMC Emergency Department. "Many EMS are volunteers. They are the unsung heroes in our community."
Skaggs was instrumental in setting up the scholarship program after being approached by local EMS who wanted to honor Beckett.
"This scholarship will provide the opportunity to support an individual like Brian who wants to make a difference in the local community," she said.