From student-athlete to super fan

NAME: Jeff Beck
CLASS YEAR: 2001
MAJOR: Computer Science 
CURRENT EMPLOYMENT: Partner, Group Benefit Partners

HOW WERE YOU INVOLVED AS A STUDENT: Member of steering committee for Unified Sports Day, volunteer tutor at Bremwood, service Trip to East St. Louis, Ill., Student Athlete Advisory Committee, Ambassador, football team, student coach for football team

WHY WARTBURG: My parents and one of my uncles went to Wartburg, so Wartburg was always on my list of possibilities, but for some reason I was looking at a bunch of schools besides Wartburg over the summer before my senior year. I was kind of driving my parents a little crazy through the process because all the places we were visiting were good schools, but I wasn’t very fired up about any of them. There wasn’t necessarily anything wrong with them, but none of them felt like home when I visited. When I visited Wartburg in the fall of my senior year I told my parents within a half hour of being on campus that I was pretty sure this is where I wanted to go. There was something about Wartburg that just felt right. I went to a basketball game on campus one of the times I visited and will always remember seeing both of the Dr. Waltmanns sitting behind the bench in the gym. I had met with Dr. Bill Waltmann earlier that day and just thought it was really cool to see the faculty being so supportive of students outside the classroom as well. The bottom line is that Wartburg felt like the place I wanted to be. I guess that’s why I’m still here more than 20 years later.

HOW DID YOUR WARTBURG EXPERIENCE PREPARE YOU FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE: Wartburg allowed me to be able to explore my interests and passions in a variety of ways, including coaching as a student, developing as a leader, and learning in the classroom how to be a critical thinker and problem solver. And I met my wife. 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WARTBURG TRADITION: I love telling our kids stories about the pranks that occurred because of the Wartburg/Luther rivalry. I don’t know if most people would consider this to be a tradition, but I love the commitment to excellence that is so pervasive at Wartburg. I love that we’re so successful in athletics, music, and that our students and alumni are doing so many great things in so many ways.

HOW DO YOU STAY CONNECTED TO THE COLLEGE: Living in town and still coaching football part-time it’s pretty easy. Our kids are Wartburg super fans, we’re at The W a lot, and we attend a lot of Wartburg athletic events. I also serve on the Athletics National Advisory Board and Hall of Fame Committee.

HOW ARE YOU LIVING OUT THE WARTBURG MISSION: Mainly through approaching things through the lens of service, whether that’s working with clients, or being involved in the community.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR CURRENT STUDENTS: Take advantage of the great opportunities at Wartburg to be involved. That’s the best way to learn and grow. At the same time, don’t spread yourself too thin. Make sure you take the time to cherish and enjoy the great friendships you make during your years at Wartburg.