In 1967, Charles Benson registered at Loyalist, the newly established College of Applied Arts and Technology in Belleville. He was student #001, and joined the 171 others who registered to study at Loyalist that year.
This year, Charles was recognized with the Hugh P. O’Neil Outstanding Alumni Award, at Loyalist’s Convocation. The award recognizes a Loyalist graduate who has made an exceptional contribution to his or her community through professional and community leadership, or through volunteer service.
Charles graduated from the Business Administration program in 1970 and joined the College as a staff assistant in Student Services. He worked in the Registrar’s/Admissions area in a number of capacities before serving as Assistant Registrar, Registrar, and finally as the College Bursar. In this position, he administered student financial aid, scholarships and bursaries. He contributed in an important way to the development of criteria for awards established in the endowment fund administered through The Loyalist College Foundation.
Charles continued his studies and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree on a part-time basis, graduating from Queen’s University in 1979. His extensive community involvement has included teaching Sunday school and serving as a member of the official board at his church and as a member of the board for the Belleville Volunteer Centre. A founding member of Belleville Community Policing, he chaired the organization for five terms. He has been an active member of the board of directors for Quinte Destinations for Youth and for the First Adventure Child Development Centre. As part of his work with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Rebekahs (IOOF), he has coordinated the local program for the International United Nations Pilgrimage for Youth for the past ten years. In 2001, he was appointed to the international board of directors for the program and in May of this year, he was installed as IOOF Grand Master for Ontario.
Charles’ many contributions have been recognized with a nomination for the Volunteer of the Year – Ruth Burrows award in 1998, and with the IOOF award in 1999 for distinguished service to the local community. In 2001, he received one of four international awards presented by the IOOF for distinguished and outstanding performance. He received the Loyalist College Alumni Distinction award for contributions to the College and the community in 2002, and was nominated by the College for a Premier’s Award. In December 2007, Charles was presented with the Dr. Harold Williamson Humanitarian of the Year award.
Media Contact: Dianne Spencer, College Advancement & External Relations, Loyalist College, (613) 969-1913, ext. 2235 or e-mail: dspencer@loyalistc.on.ca