Michael T. Benson
Michael T. Benson | |
|---|---|
| 27th President of West Virginia University | |
| Assumed office July 15, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | E. Gordon Gee |
| 3rd President of Coastal Carolina University | |
| In office January 1, 2021 – July 7, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | David A. DeCenzo |
| Succeeded by | James J. Winebrake |
| 13th President of Eastern Kentucky University | |
| In office 2013–2020 | |
| Preceded by | Charles D. Whitlock |
| Succeeded by | David McFaddin |
| 15th President of Southern Utah University | |
| In office 2006–2013 | |
| Preceded by | Steven D. Bennion |
| Succeeded by | Scott L. Wyatt |
| 14th President of Snow College | |
| In office 2001–2006 | |
| Preceded by | Gerald J. Day |
| Succeeded by | Scott L. Wyatt |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 28, 1965 Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S. |
| Spouse | Debi Benson |
| Children | 5 |
| Residence(s) | Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Education | Brigham Young University (BA) St Antony's College, Oxford (DPhil) University of Notre Dame (MNA) Johns Hopkins University (MLA) |
| Academic background | |
| Thesis | Sympathy or Strategy? Harry S. Truman’s Decision to Recognize the State of Israel, May 1948. (1995) |
| Doctoral advisor | Dr. Noah Lucas |
| Academic work | |
| Discipline | History |
| Institutions | |
Michael Taft Benson (born February 28, 1965) is an American academic administrator serving as the president and professor of history at West Virginia University. He previously served as president of Coastal Carolina University, Eastern Kentucky University, Southern Utah University, and Snow College, and as special assistant to the president at the University of Utah. He was appointed Visiting Professor within the Department of the History of Science and Technology at Johns Hopkins University in January 2020. On February 24, 2025, it was announced that he would become the 27th President of West Virginia University, taking effect on July 15, 2025.