Announcement Article
Colonel James Benson Selected As 7th President of Riverside Military Academy
Military Academy’s Board of Trustees have unanimously approved the appointment of Colonel James H. Benson, Ed.D. as the next president of Riverside Military Academy effective June 1, 2009. A retired United States Marine Corps Colonel and doctorate in Higher Education Administration, Benson is currently president of Marion Military Institute, in Marion, Alabama where he has served since July 2004.
In announcing Colonel Benson’s appointment to the academy’s faculty on Friday, Dr. Dan Kaufman, chairman of the search committee, Fred Kennedy, chairman of the RMA Board of Trustees and Alec Fraser, incoming chairman said, “The members of the search committee were continually impressed by Colonel Benson’s intellect, his global expertise, his ability to build consensus and introduce innovation, and his devotion to educating young people."
Colonel Benson retired from the Marine Corps in 1995 and subsequently served as Executive Assistant to the President and Director of Planning and as Vice President for Administration at Bridgewater College, Virginia from March, 1995 until July, 2004.
As Vice President at Bridgewater College, Colonel Benson managed the offices of Admissions, Financial Aid, Intercollegiate Athletics, Institutional Research, Student Affairs, Facilities, Auxiliary Services and the College’s Information Technology Center.
Following the announcement in November that Colonel Guy Gardner will retire as the RMA Superintendent at the end of this school year, a search committee to find his successor was formed by the Board of Trustees and chaired by trustee member Dr. Dan Kaufmann, president of Georgia Gwinnett College and former Dean of the Academic Board at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Comprised of academy trustees, the search committee along with faculty, staff, alumni, and students spent the last several months discussing the desired qualifications and attributes of the new president.
“When we formed the search committee, we stated that we would be looking for a replacement that would bring considerable gifts of both heart and mind, who would be deeply committed to the value of single-gender education for young men. I have no doubt that we have found just such a person in Colonel Benson” said Kaufmann.
Kaufmann went on to say “I would like to thank Colonel Gardner for his invaluable leadership, guidance and dedication to Riverside over the past three years. We will miss the Gardners and wish him and his wife Linda the best as they relocate to PA to be closer to their family. I would also like to express my gratitude to the RMA Board and the committee members for their support and hard work during this search. There was strong input and open discussion among all participants, and their contributions were considerable. It was a pleasure to work with such a dedicated and committed group of students, faculty, parents and administrators in this exciting and successful process.”
Incoming Board chairman and president of Turner Properties Alec Fraser stated, “I am excited about this new chapter in Riverside’s history. Colonel Benson is an exceptional teacher, scholar, mentor and leader. His unique background combined with his passion of educating young people aligns perfectly with Riverside’s mission of developing focused learners, cultivated leaders and dedicated brothers who advance to colleges and service academies of their choice.
Colonel Benson received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bridgewater College and holds a Master of Science Degree from the University of Tennessee, a Master of Public Administration Degree from Penn State University. Most recently, he completed the dissertation and all requirements for a doctorate degree in Higher Education Administration at The George Washington University. Colonel Benson is also a graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College and the Army War College.
Colonel Benson’s military career included assignments as Commanding Officer, JTF-129, Special Operations Counter-terrorism Joint Task Force; Commanding Officer, Sixth Marine Regiment; and Chief of Staff/Assistant Division Commander of the Second Marine Division. He is a decorated combat veteran of the Vietnam War and has been awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, three Legion of Merit Awards, two Bronze Stars with “V” for Valor, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, three Navy Commendation Medals one with “V” for Valor and the Navy Achievement Medal.
In addition, he recently completed a book published by Trafford Publishing Company entitled, So You Want to be a Leader-Advice and Counsel to Young Leaders. He and his wife, Mary, have a daughter, Catherine R. Benson, graduate of George Mason University, and a son, James H. Benson II, graduate of Eastern Mennonite University. Benson succeeds Colonel Guy Gardner, who announced his retirement in November. Colonel Gardner and President-elect Benson will work hand-in-hand to ensure a smooth transfer of leadership and collegial exchange of information until Benson officially takes office on June 1, 2009.
Myers McRae, formerly Jon McRae & Associates, served as consultants to the committee for this search.