SPECIAL ORIENTATION ISSUE
Received
MG 2 7 1996
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Thursday, August 22,1996
Benson’s million dollar gift
JAMES Cl BENSON: Powder and chairman of PHB> tnc,
Benson is tie second person to mate a rvflon dolar g# to
FemStafe-Behend.
Ground
Ground was broken August 2
far a new residence hall for
University Scholars and Honors
students studying at Penn State
Erie, The Behrend College.
The Almy Hall Living and
Learning Center will house 128
students in single-sex suites of
four students each. Each wing of
16 students has its own study
lounge; all students must agree to
abide by quiet study policies.
The new hall is intended to be
a living and learning environment
that fosters academic excellence,
out-of-classroom intellectual and
social experiences, and mentoring
relationships.
The new hall will be located
west of the trio of suite-style
residence halls built in 1991. In
keeping with a college tradition
that names all residential
facilities after people and ships
The Behrend College
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Erie, PA 16563
Hards-onexperienceimportartitDalumnus
Penn Stale-Behrend has
recently received a one million
dollar gift from the Jim and Gerda
Benson Family Foundation, an
endowment fund established
within the Erie Community
Foundation.
James O. Benson, a founder
and chairman of the
manufacturing conglomerate
PHB, Inc., is an adviser to the
endowment It is the second time
the young college has received a
million dollar gift from an
alumnus.
“I have been very fortunate,”
said Benson, who received a
degree from Penn State-Behrcnd
in drafting and design technology
in 1957. “I think it’s important
to give back to the community in
order to allow others to fulfill
their dreams.”
Benson made his gift in the
hopes of enhancing the College’s
commitment to working with
area manufacturers.
“As an engineer, I understand
the need for educators to work
closely with industry,” he said.
broken for new residence
associated with the Battle of Lake
Erie, it carries the name of
Thomas C. Almy, sailing master
of the Somers, part of Oliver
Hazard Perry’s fleet.
“Like real life, college life is
‘Wiatsludentsleam
hfriedassroommust
beapptedlhrou^xxjt
Iherhe&”
~P. Junker 111, vice chairman of
PNC Bank, and Thomas V.
Gibson, Penn State’s assistant
vice president for Auxiliary
Services.
not compartmentalized,” John M.
Lilley, Penn Stale-Behrend
“Penn Stale-Behrend is doing an
outstanding job of addressing
regional needs. I want to support
their efforts because they are
utilizing their facilities and
technology in a way that I
believe will benefit the
community.”
Benson also commented on the
importance of students receiving
hands-on experience during their
academic careers.
“Penn Stale-Behrend has
responded to the requests of
regional manufacturers to give
students experience in the real
world while they’re still in
school,” he said.
The College will name the
fourth and final building in its
six million dollar Engineering
Complex the James O. Benson
Building in his honor. Benson
joins four other industrialists
from the region who have made
serious commitments to the
complex: Richard J. Fasenmyer,
chairman and CEO of RJF
International Corporation; Joseph
J. Prischak, president of the
provost and dean, told
groundbreaking guests. “What
students leant in the classroom
must be applied throughout their
lives, and what students learn
(from) their co-curricular
activities can be used to promote
learning in the classroom. We
must bring all aspects of
University life together in order
to produce students who lead
successful and well-integrated
lives. Almy Hall is expected to
do just that.”
Other groundbreaking speakers
were University Trustee Edward
Construction of the new
residence hall is funded by Penn
State Housing and Food Services.
NON-PROFIT ORG.
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PAID
ERIE. PA
PERMIT #282
Vol XLV, No. 1
Plastek Group; and William C.
Witkowski, president of Port Erie
Plastics. The large atrium
connecting the four buildings is
named in honor of Paul and
Margaret Roche. Roche was the
founder of Erie Plastics.
“From the time Jim enrolled at
Penn State-Behrend in the mid
‘sos, he has made a major
contribution to the life of the
College: as student leader,
alumni leader, and now,
benefactor,” said Dr. John Lilley,
provost and dean. “The entire
Penn State-Behrend community
is enormously grateful for his
outstanding example of good
stewardship.”
Upon graduation, Benson
received numerous offers from
companies around the country,
but family considerations
eventually led him to accept a
temporary position with the
Parker White Metal Company.
“The ‘temporary’ position ended
up lasting about 37 years,” he
said.
oontlniMd on page 3
GROUNDBREAKNQ OonShucfcn
begun on tie new honors
tesUenoe Augusts