Hometown Pride

Dr. Khristian Becker (’97)
For months, Dr. Khristian Becker worked diligently, digging up the soil and replacing it with cement that will form the walkways at the soon-to-open Maquoketa Dog Park. Of course, he had some help from his family. But it was his idea to do it all and pay to get it done. “That was the first kind of physical thing that said, ‘Hey, we are having a dog park here,’” said Stephanie Stagers, office manager and economic development specialist at Jackson County Economic Alliance. “He has been a really big proponent of the dog park. He is also very humble and would not tell all the things he has done.” Sagers recently successfully nominated Becker, a longtime veterinarian, for the George Bailey Award presented by Maquoketa Area Chamber of Commerce. Every year, residents in the area nominate someone who they think goes above and beyond to give back to others. The award is named after the character from “It’s a Wonderful Life.”