Luke Beckwith Memorial Scholarship Fund
Kindness. That is the overwhelming sentiment that is expressed whenever friends, colleagues, or mentors speak about Luke; Luke’s kindness is always foremost in their memories. He was, of course, many other things as well.
Luke was funny, with a very dry, off-the-cuff sense of humor, but one that could be wickedly pointed at just the right moment. He was friendly and gregarious and cherished his friends deeply. He was a crazy soccer fan who preferred sitting in the Bailey during FC Cincinnati matches and avidly followed Premier League soccer. He loved working at UC Press because it allowed him to broaden his creative boundaries, and he respected and adored the people that he worked with there.
But Luke’s greatest passion was music…all kinds of music. There isn’t a genre of music that he didn’t find some appreciation for. He consumed music like most of us consume food and water, and consequently, his musical knowledge was encyclopedic. Luke was a drummer, a very talented drummer, and he was wholly and joyfully alive when he was creating music. He skillfully played for both rock and alternative local bands but playing drums for his jazz ensemble was Luke’s first love.
He was also very concerned about politics, cultural issues, and social justice. Whether it was participating in the voter registration drive on campus or taking an active part in the local Black Lives Matter marches in 2020, Luke tried in his own way to make the world a better place. And that, it seems, brings us back to kindness. Luke was a genuinely kind soul who cared deeply about the world and the people in it. In today’s world that typically honors status and money above all things, what a wonderful tribute that Luke will be most remembered for something that is truly important: the depth and power of his kindness.
Luke lived with mental health challenges. He had ADHD and in spring 2020 was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Although Luke did not allow this to define him, it certainly impacted his life. Despite the challenges he faced, Luke pursued and posthumously received a BFA in electronic media through CCM and was lauded by both teachers and mentors for his dedication and creativity. To honor Luke’s passion for music and to carry on his legacy of kindness, we have created this scholarship to help other young artists who are living with challenges of their own. Luke would love that.