Henry G. Bennett
![]() | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (August 2014) |
Henry G. Bennett | |
---|---|
Assistant Secretary of State | |
Personal details | |
Born | Henry Garland Bennett December 14, 1886 New Hope, Arkansas, U.S. |
Died | December 22, 1951 Iran |
Spouse | Vera Pearl Connell (m. January 27, 1913–December 22, 1951; their deaths) |
Children | 5 children |
Alma mater | Ouachita Baptist College |
Profession | Educator |
Henry G. Bennett (December 14, 1886 – December 22, 1951) was a prominent educational figure in Oklahoma. He served as the president of both Southeastern Oklahoma State University and Oklahoma State University. [citation needed]
He was appointed by President Harry S. Truman as an Assistant Secretary of State, [when?] heading up the Point Four Program.[1]
Early life
Childhood
Henry Garland Bennett was born in New Hope, Arkansas[disambiguation needed] on December 14, 1886 to Reverend Thomas Jefferson Bennett and Mary Elizabeth (née Bright) Bennett.[2] He had three sisters[3] Although his family moved to Texas before he was one year old he returned to Arkadelphia, Arkansas before school age.[3]
Education
Bennett attended Ouachita Baptist College and obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1907. While at college he was president of Philomathean Literary Society, business manager of the campus yearbook, The Bear, and vice-president of the athletic program. To earn extra money he collected laundry, drove a grocery wagon and delivered mail.[3]
Early career
After graduating accepted a position at a business college in Texarkana, Arkansas.[4] Quit to become a textbook salesman.[5] Moved to Boswell, Oklahoma in 1908 to become a teacher.[6] Became superintendent of Choctaw County in 1909.[6] Became superintendent of Hugo Public schools in 1910.[6]
President of Southeastern State Normal School
Remained superintendent of Hugo schools until accepting presidency of Southeastern Normal School in 1919 as the sixth president.[6] He met Vera Pearl Connell in Durant, Oklahoma. She was the daughter of a lawyer and judge. They married on January 27, 1913 and had five children.[6]
President of Oklahoma Agricultural & Mechanical College
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/70/HenryBennettStatueatOSU.jpg/220px-HenryBennettStatueatOSU.jpg)
Bennett was nominated to serve as president of Oklahoma A&M College on June 1, 1928.[7] He served as president of Oklahoma A&M College (now Oklahoma State University) from 1928-50. While in office, he established a campus master plan that continues to guide physical plant development, including the predominant use of Collegiate Georgian architecture on the campus.[1]
Federal appointment and Point Four Program
The Four Point Program became the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).[1]
Death
Bennett died in a plane crash in Iran serving on an assignment for the Point Four Program.[1] His wife, Vera, was with him and also was killed in the crash. Bennett was returning to a student event at Oklahoma State University when the plane crashed.[6] He was interred at Highland Cemetery, Durant, Oklahoma.[8] The Bennett Memorial Chapel at Oklahoma State University serves as a memorial to Bennett and his wife, and to the students of Oklahoma A&M College who were killed in World War I and World War II.[9]
Notes
- ^ a b c d "About Dr. Henry G. Bennett". Oklahoma State University School of International Studies. Oklahoma State University. Retrieved August 24, 2009.
- ^ Norris 1986, p. 129.
- ^ a b c Norris, p. 129
- ^ Norris 1986, p. 129,130.
- ^ Norris 1986, p. 130.
- ^ a b c d e f Norris, p. 130
- ^ Norris 1986, p. 175.
- ^ Norris 1986, p. 177
- ^ Sanderson, J. Lewie; McGlamery, R. Dean; Peters, David C. "History of the Oklahoma State University Campus: Centennial Histories Series". Oklahoma State University Library Digital Collections. Oklahoma State University. pp. 210–214. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
References
- Norris, L. David (1986). A History of Southeastern Oklahoma State University Since 1909. Durant, Oklahoma: Mesa Publishing Co. ISBN 978-0-930719-10-4.
Further reading
This section lacks ISBNs for the books listed. (August 2014) |
- Chapman, Berlin. Dr. Henry G. Bennett as I knew him. Oklahoma Historical Society.
- Rulon, Philip (1975). A History of Oklahoma State University. Stillwater, Oklahoma.
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: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - Current Biography, Volume 12. H.W. Wilson Company. 1951.