Ken Beckley

Originally from Lynnville, Indiana, Ken Beckley graduated from Indiana University Bloomington in 1962 with a degree in Radio and Television. He worked as a broadcast journalist for 14 years, before moving on to more executive roles. In September of 1964 he married Audrey Beckley (née Hofelich), and was married to her for 56 years, prior to her passing in 2020. The couple had two kids and six grandchildren.
Clips in this video
Indeed, Beckley's impact has spread much further than a handful of news stations. He is a multiple award winner, an author of a donor to Indiana University alongside Audrey's support, a former VP and spokesperson for a local Indiana tech company, a proud Hoosier volunteer, the first director of IUPUI's university relations, and a proud supporter of Indiana broadcasting.
Beckley is also the author of two highly successful fiction novels: Knuckleball: The Uncertainties of (a) Life, which was published in 2012, and An Act of Frustration, published in 2016.

Career:
Beckley's 14-year career spanned from 1963 to 1977, with stops at WTHI-TV in Terre Haute, WLOS-TV in Asheville, North Carolina, and WFBM/WRTV-TV in Indianapolis.
Clips in this video
In 1970, Beckley and Howard Caldwell made quite a splash at Indiana's own Channel 6. The duo formed a formidable alliance, earning a status of broadcast pioneers as one of the state's first dual-anchor teams. Ken Beckley became Channel 6’s first executive news producer in 1976.

From 1976 to 1983, Beckley served as Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis’s first director of university relations.
However, his career path veered towards yet another route immediately after leaving IUPUI. In 1983, Ken Beckley joined the Indiana-based tech retailer, H.H. Gregg. For 18 years, Beckley served as executive vice president and was the public face and voice on all of the firm’s broadcast commercials. He retired in 2001.
Then from 2002 to 2007, Beckley was established as the president and CEO of the Indiana University Alumni Association. He had already volunteered for this organization for nearly 30 years prior, so it was a smooth transition. Amidst this five-year tenure, Beckley brought forth an impressive amount of growth, such as a massive uptick in membership and establishing the $9 million Jerry F. Tardy Operating Endowment.
As part of his volunteer work over his career, Beckley served as vice president of the Indianapolis Press Club and president of the Indiana Broadcast Pioneers.

Awards and Achievements
Ken Beckley is the recipient of a myriad of high honors. For instance, he is the recipient of Indiana University's Distinguished Alumni Award and its President's Medal for Excellence. He was also granted the IUPUI Maynard K. Hine Medal.
In 2000, Beckley received the CASPER award for meritorious service from the Greater Indianapolis United Way/Community Service Council. Later in this year, he was named Advertising Person of the Year by the Indiana Federation of Advertising Agencies.
Seven years after those two honors, Beckley was named the 2007 Sagamore of the Wabash by then-Governor Mitch Daniels.
Additional Accolades
In 2016, Ken and Audrey Beckley gifted what is now considered a staple of the Media School to Indiana University: a state of the art television studio, aptly named Beckley Studio. This space now serves as a space in which IU students can partake in production classes, simulations, and workshops. Moreover, though, it also serves as the home base for IUSTV, Indiana University's very own student-run news space. Through this program, news, sports, entertainment, and interviews are all covered at length.
During May of 2023, Mike Conway of the IBHA had the opportunity to interview Ken Beckley on his career, achievements, and legacy throughout the state of Indiana. The interview takes place within the aforementioned Beckley Studio. Beckley's full oral history can be viewed below.
Ken Beckley was inducted into the Indiana Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame in 2011.
March 2024
Indiana Broadcast Pioneers
Edited and Archived by Cooper Hudson
Related Items
Title | Station | Date Aired | Description | |
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CASPER Awards Clayton Taylor Collection |
1994 |
Ken Beckley, CASPER Awards Judge; |
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Richard Yoakam Tribute Dinner Telecommunications |
1998-06-13 |
Richard Yoakam Tribute Dinner Department of Telecommunications held a tribute dinner for Richard Yoakam to commemorate the start of the Richard Yoakam Technology... |
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Richard Yoakam Tribute Telecommunications |
1988-06-13 |
Colleagues pay their respects to Richard Yoakam as he embarks on his retirement from Indiana University. |
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Monday Night Football Karen Rariden Collection |
1990 | ||
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Richard Yoakam Tribute Dinner Marilyn Schultz Collection |
1998-06-13 |
Richard Yoakam Tribute Dinner Department of Telecommunications held a tribute dinner for Richard Yoakam to commemorate the start of the Richard Yoakam Technology... |
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10pm News Ken Beckley Collection |
1964-01-16 |
Ken Beckley reports on the daily local and international news |
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Sports Highlights Ken Beckley Collection |
1960 |
Ken Beckley gives the sports highlights on WFIU, which includes announcing Ted Williams' last baseball game before his retirement. :13 How to get a free WFIU Program bulletin |
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This is Your Life Ken Beckley Collection |
1976-12-21 | ||
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The News Ken Beckley Collection |
1976 | ||
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Return to Radio News Ken Beckley Collection |
1964-03-14 |
The verdict of Jack Leon Ruby is read. Defense Lawyer, Melvin Belli, Prosecutor Henry Wade and Judge Joe Brantley Brown responds to the verdict and the process of the legal proceedings. |
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IUPUI: Westside Story Ken Beckley Collection |
1978-11 |
Section 1: "IUPUI: Westside Story" Section 2: "Sports Scene" from WISH TV |
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Mid Day News Ken Beckley Collection |
1964-07-08 |
News at noon update discussing the possible termination of the school bus system in Terre Haute and other local news updates, as well as national news, sports and politics |
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Ken Beckley's last day at WTHI Ken Beckley Collection |
1965 |
WTHI Monthly News Conference saying goodbye to Ken Beckley as he leaves for a new job in North Carolina |
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Ken Beckley and Howard Caldwell radio intervew Ken Beckley Collection |
1997-07-08 |
Ken Beckley and Howard Caldwell are interviewed on Gold 104.5 about their friendship and long history as news broadcasters |
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Interview with Bob Knight Ken Beckley Collection |
1978-10-24 |
Ken Beckley interviews IU Basketball Coach, Bobby Knight. Shot at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana. |
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Indiana Gov Campaign Ken Beckley Collection |
1964 |
Governor of Indiana, Roger Branigin discusses the democratic systems in Indiana and the commitment to President Johnson; discusses civil rights legislation in Indiana and Branigin's disagreement... |
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Fire Near TH Spring Ken Beckley Collection |
1964 |
Ken Beckley reports on a fire near Catlin, Indiana |
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Bob Knight Interview Ken Beckley Collection |
1981 |
Ken Beckley interviews Bobby Knight about the 1980-81 basketball season, comparing most recent season with previous seasons, coaching responsibilities and discussing basketball players |
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Indianapolis 500 Qualifications Audition Tape Ken Beckley Collection |
196x |
Ken Beckley reports on the Indianapolis 500 Qualificaitons |
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Scenes from WLOS-TV Ken Beckley Collection |
1965/1967 | ||
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RCA Championships Ken Beckley Collection |
1994-08-21 |
Ken Beckley opens the NBC Telecast of the 1994 RCA Championships |
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The News Ken Beckley Collection |
1976 |
Early 1976 Newscast and pieces of others, pre 1976 |
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Lasting Relationships Ken Beckley Collection |
1997-10-25 |
"Lasting Relationships" |
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HH Gregg and Bobby Knight, 8x:30 Ken Beckley Collection |
1986-12-12 |
H.H. Gregg |
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H.H. Gregg-Bob Knight Outtakes Ken Beckley Collection |
1986-11-22 |
H.H. Gregg Sales Meeting Video Presentation; |
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H.H. Gregg Out-takes Ken Beckley Collection |
1996-04-25 |
H.H. Gregg/ PCFE; |
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H.H. Gregg Grand Opening in Clarksville Ken Beckley Collection |
198x |
H.H.Gregg Grand Opening in Clarksville, Indiana |
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H.H. Gregg Cooking Extravanza Ken Beckley Collection |
1985-10-02 |
H.H. Gregg, Pearson Crahan Fletcher |
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H.H. Gregg "Takin Care of Business for 16 Years" Ken Beckley Collection |
1999-10-07 |
H.H. Gregg "Takin' Care of Business for 16 Years" |
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H.H. Gregg "Bobby Knight-Towel" Ken Beckley Collection |
1986-12-03 |
H.H. Gregg |
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H.H. Gregg "Bobby Knight on Screen NEC" Ken Beckley Collection |
1986-11-12 |
Pearson Crahan & Fletcher |
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Christmas Special Ken Beckley Collection |
1997-12-08 |
Feature of Ken Beckley and Patty Spitler Christmas Special |
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Career Highlights; Interview with Bobby Knight Ken Beckley Collection |
197x |
WRTV Opening of Channel 6 Final Report with Howard Caldwell and Ken Beckley; |
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Bobby Knight Funnies Ken Beckley Collection |
1986 | ||
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Bits and Pieces of Ken Beckley's Career Ken Beckley Collection |
1960/1979 |
Cued to good starting point of Ken on WRTV newscast early 1976 (including Bob McLain); |
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Ken Beckley Oral History Oral History Collection |
2023-05-04 |
Mike Conway interviews Ken Beckley |
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50 Years Together Kurt Swadener Collection |
1999 |
50 years of television history, hosted by Howard Caldwell. Includes contributions from: John Guion, former Director of Engineering; |
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11 O'Clock News Report Ken Beckley Collection |
196x |
Ken Beckley delivers the 11 O'Clock News. Includes additional footage |
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Final Report Ken Beckley Collection |
1969-02-19 |
Ken Beckley delivers the 11:00pm Final Report news broadcast |
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TheNews broadcasts Ken Beckley Collection |
1976 |
TheNews segments from 1976 Synopsis: This video is a newscast from WRTV Channel 6 Indianapolis TheNews. Ken Beckley is the news anchor and covers stories locally and nationwide on the... |
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Patty Spitler Christmas Special Ken Beckley Collection |
198x |
Patty Spitler interviews Ken Beckley about his career in news broadcasting and time with H.H. Gregg |
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Outtakes Ken Beckley Collection |
198x |
H.H. Gregg commercial outtakes |
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H.H. Gregg commercial to "Takin' Care of Business" Ken Beckley Collection |
198x |
Ken Beckley's H.H. Gregg commercials. Segment one includes commercials to the song "Takin' Care of Business." Section two contain several commercial outtakes. Segment three is an interview with... |
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Career Highlights Ken Beckley Collection |
197x |
WRTV news segments with Ken Beckley from the 1970s. Ends with an interview with Bobby Knight |
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Gene Slaymaker's Hall of Fame Video Bio Indiana Broadcast Pioneers Collection |
2007 |
Video bio of Gene Slaymaker, inducted to Indiana Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame in 2007. Producer: Ken Beckley; After serving in... |
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Ken Beckley's Hall of Fame Video Bio Indiana Broadcast Pioneers Collection |
2011 |
Video bio of Ken Beckley, inducted to Indiana Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame in 2011. Producer/Voice-over: Gene Slaymaker; |
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Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame Banquet and Last Broadcast Howard Caldwell Collection |
1991 |
Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame Banquet; Howard Caldwell's last news broadcast before his retirement; Howard Caldwell's Retirement Special: 35 years of making a difference Indiana... |
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Howard Caldwell Retirement Special: 35 Years of Making a Difference Howard Caldwell Collection |
1994 |
Howard Caldwell's 1994 Retirement Special, celebrating 35 years with Channel 6. |
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Channel 6 History Howard Caldwell Collection |
1966/1990 |
Broadcast History; Channel 6 History Channel 6 History Video (3:24:34) Notes by Marisol Sanchez, J450 History of Journalism, Fall 2021 -First Section of... |
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50 years on the air with Channel 6 Howard Caldwell Collection |
1995 |
Howard Caldwell narrates this documentary of Channel 6 celebrating 50 years on TV. It includes a newscast with Clyde Lee and Howard Caldwell and ends with an episode of "Howard's... |
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