Guy Potter Benton

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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.

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 WWI. 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 later national president. 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 is buried 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 bee named for him. First was the administration building and auditorium now known as Hall Auditorium and the current Benton Hall is a psychology building.

[edit] External links

• GUY POTTER BENTON, EDUCATOR, IS DEAD; Former Head of Universities of Philippines and Vermont a Sleeping Sickness Victim. ACTIVE IN Y.M.C.A. WORK Spent Two Years With A.E.F. -Was Ex-President of Upper Iowa and Miami Institutions -- Was 62.. New York Times (1927-06-30). Retrieved on 2008-01-07.

[edit] 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

Preceded by David Stanton Tappan

President of Miami University 1902 – 1911

Succeeded by Raymond M. Hughes

Preceded by Ignacio B. Villamor

President of the University of the Philippines 1921–1925

Succeeded by Rafael V. Palma