About The Author
About The Author
Laurie Kubal Becvar
Laurie Kubal Becvar currently serves as the chief executive officer of the South Dakota Hall of Fame, a statewide organization that honors, inspires, preserves, and educates others about excellence in South Dakota. Prior to this role, she was the president and chief operating officer for Crazy Horse Memorial, a monumental, nonprofit project of international scope located in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Becvar has worked in the roles of chief academic officer and dean in both private and public institutions of higher education. She is an experienced leader who has a passion to make organizations better. Becvar possesses a doctorate and a Masters of Arts degree in higher education administration from the University of South Dakota and a bachelor’s degree from Wichita State University. She and her husband, Mike, live in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota, where she continues to love and care for horses, cats, and their beloved dog, Wendell.
About The Author
Laurie Kubal Becvar
Outside of work, Becvar and her husband Mike enjoy living in the Black Hills of South Dakota. They have been involved in different businesses to include owning a garage door business to farming and ranching. Since the original Ren, the cat featured in “Ren’s Journey Home”, Laurie has owned and cared for other gray cats, also named Ren, in honor of her first. Becvar’s book tells the story about her special bond with the original Ren, showing that love can truly exist between people and their pets. With her experience and dedication, Becvar continues to make a difference in education and the community inspiring others along the way.
Laurie Becvar is the CEO of the South Dakota Hall of Fame, a statewide organization with the visitor and education center in Chamberlain, South Dakota. Previously, she was President and COO of Crazy Horse Memorial in the Black Hills. Dr. Becvar also served as Chief Academic Officer at two South Dakota private colleges and spent nine years at the University of South Dakota as Dean of the Graduate School, Dean of Continuing and Distance Education, and Senior Associate Provost. Additionally, she was Director of the Business and Industry Institute at Butler County Community College in Kansas.
Laurie Becvar, with decades of senior-level experience in higher education and nonprofit administration, excels in innovative programming, business acumen in education, change management, organizational efficiency, and strategic planning. She holds doctorate and master’s degrees in higher education administration and leadership from the University of South Dakota and a bachelor’s from Wichita State University. Her contributions include board service, professional presentations, and consulting for colleges nationwide. Residing in the Black Hills with her husband Mike, they have owned small businesses and been involved in farming and ranching. “Ren’s Journey Home, her first published book, is based on her original cat Ren. She currently has a great cat named Ren in honor of the original Ren.