About Dr. Becker

I am Professor of English at UMFK where I have been teaching composition, literature, and other courses since 2003. Born in Iowa of German, Scottish, and French Canadian heritage, I grew up in Rock Hill, South Carolina where I attended Winthrop University and earned a BA and an MA in English literature. Later, I earned an MA and PhD in Comparative Literature at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville using the principles of analytical psychology to examine archetypal dynamics in English, French, and German Romantic literature.

I am married to fellow UMFK English professor Geraldine Cannon Becker, and we have two grown daughters. We are the co-founders and publishers for Old Sylvain House Press, LLC and co-founders and co-directors of the North Woods Jung Society.

Aside from my academic endeavors, I enjoy the works of J. R. R. Tolkien, classical (particularly Baroque), jazz, and progressive rock music, PBS nature, science, and history documentaries, and motorcycling around the Valley in the summer months.

I am also a trained NWS storm spotter and earned a certificate in weather forecasting from Penn State University. I run Apex Wx, a private weather information service, focusing on Fort Kent and the Saint John Valley.