Benson legacy solid

Re: “Board wanted to fire Benson,” Oct. 22 news story

The article on the CU Board of Regents’ discussions about the end of Bruce Benson’s presidency didn’t provide important context — Bruce Benson had one of the most successful presidencies in university history and his accomplishments are significant to our state’s success. I know. I watched it up close for eight of his 11 years from my seat on the CU Board of Regents.

Perhaps most important, he elevated CU’s reputation. After a series of university scandals and missteps in the early 2000s, Benson made it a priority to protect and promote CU’s reputation. He solved problems. He didn’t let issues fester. There were no major scandals on his watch. Coloradans once again are proud of their flagship university system.

Benson fundraised prodigiously. When he started in 2008, CU raised $ 140 million annually. After setting records nearly every year, CU raised more than a half- billion dollars in his final year, benefiting CU students, faculty and programs. The university’s endowment more than doubled to a record $ 1.3 billion. CU also surpassed $ 1 billion in annual research funding, leading to innovations that improve lives, address societal problems and add to Colorado’s economy.

Over Benson’s decade- plus, CU’s four campuses reached record enrollment. To support students and to enhance diversity efforts, internally generated financial aid increased from $ 88 million to $ 202 million.

Benson made CU a better institution and Colorado a better place. Regent plotting and squabbling near the end of his tenure doesn’t diminish that in the least.

Steve Bosley, Longmont Editor’s note: Bosley, the founder of Bolder Boulder, was an atlarge member on the CU Board of Regents, 2004- 16.