Guy Potter Benton
Encyclopedia
The Reverend Dr. Guy Potter Wharton Benton (May 26, 1865 – June 29, 1927) was an American educator who served as president of Miami University
from 1902–1911, the University of Vermont
from 1911–1920, and the University of the Philippines
from 1921-1925. He is credited with being instrumental in the founding of the sorority Delta Zeta
at Miami University in 1902.
Benton was an alumnus of Ohio Normal University (now Ohio Northern University
), Ohio Wesleyan University
, Baker University
and the College of Wooster.
He was born to Daniel Webster and Harriet (Wharton) Benton in Kenton, Ohio
. After serving as superintendent of schools at Fort Scott, Kansas
(1890–95), he became assistant state superintendent of public instruction in Kansas
(1895–96). He was professor of history and sociology at Baker University
(1896–99) and assumed the presidency of Upper Iowa University
in 1899, serving until 1902 when he became president of Miami University. He left Miami to become president of the University of Vermont
1911-1919. He was educational director of the Third Army occupying Germany following World War I. He served as the third president of the University of the Philippines from 1921-1925.
He was an ordained Methodist minister.
Benton was a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University
where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta
fraternity, of which he was national president 1912-14. For his help in the founding of Delta Zeta, he was named Grand Patron and is the only man ever permitted to wear the Delta Zeta member badge. He was a member of the forensics honorary Tau Kappa Alpha and served as its national president 1915-17.
In 1889 he married Dolla Konantz of Arcadia, Kansas
and they had two children, Helen Geneva and Pauline Corinth.
He is buried next to his wife in the Miami University plot of the Oxford Cemetery and his headstone indicates that he was "President of Miami University" and "National President of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity." Two buildings on the Miami University campus have been named for him. First was the administration building and auditorium now known as Hall Auditorium and the current Benton Hall
is an engineering building.
Miami University
Miami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S...
from 1902–1911, the University of Vermont
University of Vermont
The University of Vermont comprises seven undergraduate schools, an honors college, a graduate college, and a college of medicine. The Honors College does not offer its own degrees; students in the Honors College concurrently enroll in one of the university's seven undergraduate colleges or...
from 1911–1920, and the University of the Philippines
University of the Philippines
The ' is the national university of the Philippines. Founded in 1908 through Act No...
from 1921-1925. He is credited with being instrumental in the founding of the sorority Delta Zeta
Delta Zeta
Delta Zeta is an international college sorority founded on October 24, 1902, at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Today, Delta Zeta has 158 collegiate chapters in the United States and over 200 alumnae chapters in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada...
at Miami University in 1902.
Benton was an alumnus of Ohio Normal University (now Ohio Northern University
Ohio Northern University
Ohio Northern University is a private, United Methodist Church-affiliated university located in the United States in Ada, Ohio, founded by Henry Solomon Lehr in 1871. ONU is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. ONU is a sister...
), Ohio Wesleyan University
Ohio Wesleyan University
Ohio Wesleyan University is a private liberal arts college in Delaware, Ohio, United States. It was founded in 1842 by Methodist leaders and Central Ohio residents as a nonsectarian institution, and is a member of the Ohio Five — a consortium of Ohio liberal arts colleges...
, Baker University
Baker University
Baker University is a private, residential university located in Baldwin City, Kansas, United States. Founded in 1858, it is the oldest university in Kansas and is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Baker University is made up of four schools...
and the College of Wooster.
He was born to Daniel Webster and Harriet (Wharton) Benton in Kenton, Ohio
Kenton, Ohio
Kenton is a city in and the county seat of Hardin County, Ohio, United States, along the Scioto River. The population was 8,262 at the 2010 census. It is named for Kentucky/Ohio frontiersman, Simon Kenton...
. After serving as superintendent of schools at Fort Scott, Kansas
Fort Scott, Kansas
Fort Scott is a city in and the county seat of Bourbon County, Kansas, United States, south of Kansas City, on the Marmaton River. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 8,087. It is the home of the Fort Scott National Historic Site and the Fort Scott National...
(1890–95), he became assistant state superintendent of public instruction in Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
(1895–96). He was professor of history and sociology at Baker University
Baker University
Baker University is a private, residential university located in Baldwin City, Kansas, United States. Founded in 1858, it is the oldest university in Kansas and is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Baker University is made up of four schools...
(1896–99) and assumed the presidency of Upper Iowa University
Upper Iowa University
Established in 1857, Upper Iowa University is a private institution of higher education with its residential campus located in northeast Iowa near the Volga River in the rural community of Fayette, where around 900 students are enrolled....
in 1899, serving until 1902 when he became president of Miami University. He left Miami to become president of the University of Vermont
University of Vermont
The University of Vermont comprises seven undergraduate schools, an honors college, a graduate college, and a college of medicine. The Honors College does not offer its own degrees; students in the Honors College concurrently enroll in one of the university's seven undergraduate colleges or...
1911-1919. He was educational director of the Third Army occupying Germany following World War I. He served as the third president of the University of the Philippines from 1921-1925.
He was an ordained Methodist minister.
Benton was a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University
Ohio Wesleyan University
Ohio Wesleyan University is a private liberal arts college in Delaware, Ohio, United States. It was founded in 1842 by Methodist leaders and Central Ohio residents as a nonsectarian institution, and is a member of the Ohio Five — a consortium of Ohio liberal arts colleges...
where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta
Phi Delta Theta
Phi Delta Theta , also known as Phi Delt, is an international fraternity founded at Miami University in 1848 and headquartered in Oxford, Ohio. Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, and Sigma Chi form the Miami Triad. The fraternity has about 169 active chapters and colonies in over 43 U.S...
fraternity, of which he was national president 1912-14. For his help in the founding of Delta Zeta, he was named Grand Patron and is the only man ever permitted to wear the Delta Zeta member badge. He was a member of the forensics honorary Tau Kappa Alpha and served as its national president 1915-17.
In 1889 he married Dolla Konantz of Arcadia, Kansas
Arcadia, Kansas
Arcadia is a city in Crawford County, Kansas, United States. The population was 310 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Arcadia is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
and they had two children, Helen Geneva and Pauline Corinth.
He is buried next to his wife in the Miami University plot of the Oxford Cemetery and his headstone indicates that he was "President of Miami University" and "National President of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity." Two buildings on the Miami University campus have been named for him. First was the administration building and auditorium now known as Hall Auditorium and the current Benton Hall
Benton Hall (Miami University)
Benton Hall, built in 1907~1908 as an administration building, dedicated in 1909, was used as such until the new Administration Building was completed in 1956. It housed the music department, and the auditorium seating 1200 was used for small group meetings as it can accommodate only a fraction of...
is an engineering building.
Sources
- Encyclopedia Vermont Biography: A Series of Authentic Biographical Sketches of the Representative Men of Vermont and Sons of Vermont in Other States. Dodge. Burlington: Ullery, 1912, p 118-119