Colonel James H. Benson, USMC (Ret)
Colonel James H. Benson, United States Marine Corps (Retired), became the 15th president of Marion Military Institute, Marion, Alabama on July 15, 2004. Colonel Benson retired from the Marine Corps in 1995 and subsequently served as Executive Assistant to the President, and Director of Planning and as Vice President of Administration at Bridgewater College, Virginia from March, 1995 until July, 2004.
As Vice President at Bridgewater College, Colonel Benson managed the offices of Admissions, Financial Aid, Intercollegiate Athletics, Institutional Research, Student Affairs, Facilities, Auxiliary Services and the College’s Information Technology Center.
Colonel Benson received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bridgewater College and holds a Master of Science Degree from the University of Tennessee, a Master of Public Administration Degree from Penn State University, and is completing his dissertation in Higher Education Administration at George Washington University. Colonel Benson is also a graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College and the Army War College.
Colonel Benson's military career included assignments as Commanding Officer, JTF-129, Special Operations Counter-terrorism Joint Task Force; Commanding Officer, Sixth Marine Regiment; and Chief of Staff/Assistant Division Commander of the Second Marine Division. He is a decorated combat veteran of the Vietnam War. Colonel Benson was awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, three Legion of Merit Awards, two Bronze Stars with "V" for Valor, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, three Navy Commendation Medals one with "V" for Valor and the Navy Achievement Medal.
Colonel Benson recently completed a book published by Trafford Publishing Company entitled, So You Want to be a Leader? He and his wife Mary have a daughter, Catherine R. Benson, graduate of George Mason University, and a son, James H. Benson, II, graduate of Eastern Mennonite University.
