Alabama State University News February 7, 2014 Alumni Donate More Than $500,000 to the ASU Foundation By Lois G. Russell The 114th Founders' Day Convocation set the stage for a major donor announcement by President Gwendolyn Boyd. The University has received a planned gift totaling more than $512,000 from the estate of the late Dr. William H. Benson (1915) and his wife, the late Bessie Wilson Benson (1914). The gift was made to the ASU Foundation. "The Bensons were longtime supporters of Alabama State University," said Zillah Fluker, vice president for University Relations. "They had always reached back to the University in tangibly generous ways through service and monetary gifts. ASU is extremely grateful to have had two alumni of their commitment and benevolence." In making the announcement, Boyd read a biographical sketch of the Bensons, detailing their history with the school both as students and successful alumni. An excerpt from the text of that presentation is below: Today, I have the opportunity to carry out one of the major components of the job of President. The name Bessie Benson is familiar to most of us as it has been immortalized as the name of one of the residence halls on this campus. Today, we are honored to share some of the legacy of Bessie Benson and her husband, Dr. William H. Benson, as we make what we feel is a notable announcement regarding their love of and commitment to this great University. Dr. William Henry Benson and Bessie Wilson Benson were both graduates of State Normal School, now known as Alabama State University. Dr. Benson was a native Montgomerian and Mrs. Benson hailed from Bullock County Alabama. Mrs. Benson was a member of the class of 1914. Dr. Benson graduated in 1915. That same year, the Bensons married and moved to Chicago where Dr. Benson established a thriving dentistry career. Throughout their lives, the couple remained connected to their beloved alma mater. Dr. Benson served as vice chair of the Alabama State University Foundation and as treasurer of the General Alumni Association for six years. In 1968, the Bensons donated $4,500 to the University in memory of his mother (an 1891 graduate of the college) to furnish the Edmonia Thompson Benson Lounge in McGhee Hall. They also helped to organize the Chicago chapter of the alumni association. The Bensons were active in recruiting promising students to the University and became advisors to Presidents H. Councill Trenholm and Levi Watkins. The Bensons were especially committed in their financial support of ASU and student aid programs. In 1972, Mrs. Benson made a generous donation to the University to establish the B.W. and W.H. Benson Student Loan Fund to assist promising students in furthering their education. We are proud to say today that the benevolent spirit of William and Bessie Benson continues. Virginia Harper, executive director of the ASU Foundation, said the Bensons' gift will benefit students. "When it comes to retention of our students, making sure that we don't lose good ones, as well as those who may be struggling and just need a little push, this gift provides the opportunity for us to help someone who one day just may make a difference at ASU," said Harper. For more information about planned giving to ASU, contact the Development Office at 334-229-4431. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.