[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10541]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING DR. JOSEPH W. BASCUAS, INTERIM PRESIDENT OF BECKER COLLEGE, 
                             WORCESTER, MA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 10, 2010

  Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Dr. Joseph W. 
Bascuas for his accomplishments as Becker College interim president and 
for his dedication to quality higher education.
  Becker College, located in Worcester and Leicester, Massachusetts, 
serves more than 1,700 students from 18 states and 12 countries, and 
offers over 25 diverse, first-quality bachelor degree programs in 
unique, high-demand career niches. Born in Cuba, he shares my 
dedication to improving relations with Latin America. Dr. Bascuas 
utilized his great volume of experience and passion for quality higher 
education and strong relationships in his role as Becker College 
interim president.
  The Becker College Board of Trustees named Dr. Bascuas as interim 
president on September 26, 2008. Dr. Bascuas gave his leadership and 
support to the Becker College community in various ways during his 
tenure. He brought more than 25 years of experience in higher education 
to Becker College.
  Prior to serving as interim president at Becker College, Dr. Bascuas 
served as president of Medaille College, Buffalo, NY, a private 
institution that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, from 2002 
through 2006. Dr. Bascuas successfully took Medaille through an 
accreditation and strategic planning; completed a $2.4 million capital 
campaign; nearly doubled revenue and undergraduate freshman to 
sophomore retention; and increased overall and undergraduate enrollment 
as well as the number of resident students. As founding president 
Argosy University Atlanta, GA campus, Bascuas spent 12 years with the 
Argosy Education Group. During his tenure, the Argosy corporate entity 
grew from three to thirteen campuses, offering undergraduate and 
graduate programs in business, education, and psychology, two law 
schools, and one technology-focused school. Dr. Bascuas also increased 
enrollment at all campuses, introduced new programs at five campuses, 
and hired presidents at two campuses. Previously, Bascuas held 
administrative and teaching positions at the Georgia School of 
Professional Psychology, Antioch University, Nova/Southeastern 
University and Salve Regina University. He has held a number of 
positions with professional boards and associations, most recently as 
site visit team chair for the Middle States Commission on Higher 
Education, and he has served on the National Collegiate Athletic 
Association Division III Presidents Council. Dr. Bascuas has written 
and co-authored numerous papers on psychological topics and has 
presented at symposia and conferences. He received a B.A. from LaSalle 
University and an M.A. and a Ph.D. from Temple University.
  As interim president, Dr. Bascuas encouraged Becker to find ways to 
provide more aid to students who need it most, thus increasing 
retention among current students and giving access to new students. Dr. 
Bascuas was successful in communicating across audiences, promoting 
unity among Becker College's two campuses, forging relationships with 
faculty, and energizing the board of trustees. On a personal note, I 
appreciate his strong interest in promoting the College's nursing 
education program and his personal invitation to me to participate in 
the ``Pinning'' graduation ceremony for its nursing students.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to commend Dr. Joseph W. Bascuas for his 
remarkable work as interim president. I ask my colleagues to join me in 
thanking Dr. Bascuas for his work and wishing him all the best in his 
future endeavors.

                          ____________________