Brown to Benson?

Surprise finalist for next CU president must spell out his vision

The Rocky

Friday, February 1, 2008

Bruce Benson is a most unlikely finalist - not to mention sole finalist - for the job as next president of the University of Colorado.

Benson is no scholar, or even an intellectual in the usual sense of the word.

He's never worked in the public sector.

He's blunt, not smooth or diplomatic.

He comes from an industry - oil - that is not exactly a favorite with the university's large progressive community.

He's spent much of his adult life as an active Republican - a species of American that many faculty members seem to rub shoulders with only in sports arenas and shopping malls.

Finally, although a vigorous 69, Benson is approaching the tail end of his professional life - rarely the ideal time to build a new career in such a complex field.

Ah, but Benson's upside from the university's perspective is not to be ignored, either - and obviously wasn't by the seven of nine regents who voted Wednesday to accept Benson as the sole finalist or by the search panel that recommended him 15-0.

For starters, Benson is a terrific fund-raiser whose community service on behalf of numerous civic organizations is legendary. Nor has he neglected CU, his alma mater (BA in geology), during these money-raising exploits. In the 1990s, he spent six years on the board of directors of the CU Foundation, and he also led the fund drive for the university's Benson Earth Sciences Building (to which he personally donated $3 million).

Anyone who doubts the capacity of a wealthy, dedicated university president to transform his institution's infrastructure need only stroll in the vicinity of University Boulevard and Evans in Denver to marvel at what Dan Ritchie accomplished during his tenure at the University of Denver.

Second, Benson has a proven commitment to education and boasts solid knowledge of this state's higher education system. Two governors, one of each party, have appointed him to blue-ribbon education panels. He also served on the Colorado Commission on Higher Education and as chairman of the Metropolitan State College board.

Last but not least, he has political clout and a reputation for working with people on both sides of the aisle - an important asset when a university president heads down to the legislature to talk about funding and governance issues, as he must at this time of year.

Despite these pluses, Benson still has some work to do to satisfy the CU community and Colorado taxpayers that he is the right choice for such an important position. Sitting on the board of a college is one thing; actually managing a large university is something else. Among the unknowns: Will Benson and faculty governance groups be able to interact comfortably, or will they approach each other as members of alien cultures? CU president Hank Brown also comes from the world of partisan politics, but he had long been considered a measured, thoughtful man. In addition, he'd already served as president of the University of Northern Colorado.

In crises such as enveloped CU over football recruiting and the rantings of Professor Ward Churchill, would Benson be able to present the university's position in a compelling fashion - especially in off-the-cuff remarks at press conferences and other public events? As we recall, Benson did not altogether distinguish himself as an extemporaneous speaker during his failed run for governor in 1994.

For that matter, what exactly is his vision of the university's future?

On Thursday, regent Paul Schauer, who has issues with Benson but voted for him nonetheless, said he did so to "give Benson full exposure. I want to hear what the reaction is and how he responds."

Now that he's sole finalist, so do we.

• February 1, 2008

  6:17 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Earl writes:

  I think churchill would be a better fit for the cu community of progressives. he is such a scholar and wise man who gets along so well with everyone. It would be a joy to see him run the university and then all the scandals would be over as they would be approved by the president of cu.

• February 1, 2008

  7:30 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Frank25 writes:

  After 26 years military service where most officers have degrees, the 2 most illogical, unable to manage assets, personnel or facilities was one PhD individual, and another just short of earning his doctorate. But they were very impressed with office wall full of certificates and deplomas, and spent hours discussing where they or others had attended school. WOW. My 2 grandsons attended Boulder CU (one received his Aeronautical Degree, and other attended 1 year and went elsewhere. Born of Caucasian mother and Philippino father(Civil Engineer) , they had to arrive at Boulder to be told they were Philippino (sarcasm intended). One toughed it out. God forbid we get someone there of the business world, who is logical, who has worked with people over his 60 (?) years. I really don't think we need more Ward Churchill types, and we also don't need young, female students, who look forward to "getting wasted, passing out condoms, then going to bed in apartment with many young, high school age football players present." Then to collect over $2 million because school did not protect her. Give me a break as a taxpayer.

• February 2, 2008

  11:13 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  watcher writes:

  So now you are going to hire from the same job pool that gave us the Iraq war and the bankruptcy of the U.S. banking system?

  Just Watching all the idiocy and being amazed.

• February 4, 2008

  9:53 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  raysmom writes:

  Watcher, by "job pool", I assume you weren't honest enough to say "conservatives who I hate out of hand because I'm so smart and superior"? I am a registered Democrat, and I think Benson is a sound choice. The last thing CU needs is more liberal sound-bite-aholics! Sometimes, Watcher, it's best to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.