Creator: August Benson

Subjects: Anniversaries, Sesquicentennial

Description:

August Benson came to MSU in 1956 where he was involved with the ROTC program until 1960. He began working on his PhD in 1962 with an emphasis on the function of the foreign student advisor, as perceived by knowledgeable MSU faculty members who had foreign students in their classes. This dissertation topic led Benson to a position as foreign student advisor in the Office of International Studies and Programs at MSU in 1964. During his 19 years in this position, he served as president of NAFSA (the National Association of Foreign Student Affairs) and oversaw the workings of CVIP (Community Volunteers in International Programs). This student-led group ran several programs such as lending household items, training foreign wives in the English language, helping wives of foreign students find scholarships to pursue their education, etc.

Benson also filled in for professors in guidance and counseling and in the College of Education and advised MSU faculty members of important features of foreign students at the university. He retired from MSU in 1983.

Topics/People Covered in Interview include: George Axinn; experiences during the Depression; ROTC and military service; David Horner; Glen Taggart; Homer Higbee; Jack Shingleton; John Hannah; Judd Heathcote; Ralph Smuckler; Gerald Ford; Walter Johnson; M. Peter McPherson; foreign student needs while attending MSU; relationship with Immigration Office; study abroad program; Larry Summers; Clifton Wharton

Date: February 16, 2005

Collection Number: UA 3

Language: English

Rights Management: Educational use only, no other permissions given. Copyright to this resource is held by Michigan State University and is provided here for educational purposes only. It may not be reproduced or distributed in any format without written permission of the University Archives & Historical Collections, Michigan State University.

Contributing Institution: University Archives & Historical Collections, Office of the Provost

Relation: Sesquicentennial Oral History Project

Contributor: MSU Archives and Historical Collections