2023 Indiana Living Legends Gala Presented By Indiana Historical Society

Northern Hamilton County’s Sonny Beck and others were honored last week in front of nearly 300 people at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center as the Indiana Historical Society recognized the 2023 Indiana Living Legends at its annual gala. A record-setting year, the gala raised more than $200,000 for IHS’s statewide programs and services. In addition to Beck, this year’s class of Living Legends included Dennis Bland, Ben Lytle, Tomas Morales and Melissa Proffitt.

Each year, IHS recognizes extraordinary Hoosiers for their local, statewide and national accomplishments in a variety of areas and disciplines. The gala is IHS’s signature fundraising event and helps IHS fulfill its mission to collect and preserve Indiana’s unique stories.

Lawrence “Sonny” Beck is CEO of Beck’s Hybrids in Atlanta, Indiana, where his business philosophy emphasizes quality, service, and the importance of agronomic research to the future well-being of the American farmer. Under his leadership, Beck’s Hybrids has become the largest family-owned retail seed company and the third largest seed brand in the United States, serving farmers throughout the Midwest and Mid-South.

Sonny earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy and Plant Breeding and a Master of Arts Degree in Agricultural Economics, both from Purdue University. When he graduated in 1962, he became the first College of Agriculture student to receive Purdue’s G. A. Ross Award, presented annually to the overall outstanding graduating senior man. Sonny was also awarded the Purdue University Distinguished Agriculture Alumni Award in 1992, and he received an Honorary Doctorate of Agriculture from Purdue University in 2007.Sonny has held a variety of leadership positions within the agriculture industry, including president of the American Seed Trade Association; president of the Indiana Crop Improvement Association; a charter member of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture Advisory Board; a charter member of the Purdue Foundation Development Council; a founding member of the Purdue FarmHouse Fraternity Foundation Board; member of the Board of Directors for the Purdue Research Foundation; member of the Board of Governors for the U.S. Grains Council; and a member of the Purdue Agriculture Dean’s Advisory Council.

Since 2013, Sonny has served on Purdue University’s Board of Trustees. He has also been named the Indiana Chamber’s Business Leader of the Year in 2016; NAMA Agribusiness Leader of the Year in 2014; and FarmHouse Master Builder of Men in 2014. Sonny and his wife, Glendia, enjoy spending time with their three children, 13 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.