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President Kim Benston

Board Extends Benston’s Time as President to the 2018-2019 School Year

President Kim Benston will remain in his current position for at least another two academic years, announced the Board of Managers at its February 10 meeting.

“The College continues to make significant progress under Kim’s thoughtful and energetic leadership,” said Rick White ‘81, Chair of the Board of Managers. “We are grateful to Kim for his service, and to our entire community that has worked together in common cause over recent years to build on Haverford’s excellence.”

The announcement from the Board highlighted his “strategic and innovative vision, deep understanding of the Haverford community, and collaborative approach with faculty, students, staff, alumni and the Board of Managers” as some of the reasons they have decided to extend Benston’s tenure.

“It’s an incredible privilege to serve the College in my role, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue learning from the community as we together advance the College’s mission as an intellectually and ethically serious institution,” said Benston.

President Kim Benston
President Kim Benston

After the departure of Dan Weiss for the Metropolitan Museum of Art at the end of the 2015 semester, the board appointed Benston to the presidency for a two year probation period, which ran out at the end of this term. Previously, Benston served as provost and in the English department.

“I’m actually quite excited to have the opportunity of staying through the graduation of the Class of 2019: we will have accompanied one another through a full undergraduate cycle!” said Benston. “As I hope is true for my classmates, this period at Haverford is proving for me a wonderful learning experience, full of challenges and adventures (anticipated and unexpected) but above all defined by uplifting relationships.”

Students are also pleased Benston will be staying on in his current position. “He truly cares — we [the Students’ Council Co-Presidents] have seen this in his sensitivity and consideration when approaching plenary resolutions, both before and after they are passed,” said Ian Andolsek ‘17, Students Council Co-President. “He puts great effort into making sure that the campus’ voice is heard: their decisions ratified, the drafters are satisfied, and that the College can make these decisions a reality… Apart from his ability to consider both sides of an argument, his decision always demonstrates his heart, reflective of the fact that he truly cares about whatever matter is before him — even on our off days.”

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