Timeline: A look back at Coastal Carolina University President Michael Benson

Yahoo

22-02-2025

CONWAY, S.C. (WBTW) — By the time Michael Benson stepped into Coastal Carolina University's presidential suite on Jan. 2, 2021, he was already a rising star in higher education.
In December 2001 at just 36, he was tapped to lead Snow College in Ephraim, Utah — becoming the youngest college president in the history of the Utah System of Higher Education.
He took the reins at Southern Utah University from January 2007 through July 2013 before leading Eastern Kentucky University from August 2013 until January 2020.
Now, after four years in Conway, Benson is moving to the 25,994-student University of West Virginia.
Here's a look back at some of Benson's CCU milestones:
The state Fiscal Accountability Authority approved a pair of major capital improvement projects just a month into Benson's tenure, authorizing nearly $40 million to renovate Kimbrel Library and construct the two-story, 68,000-square-foot Thompson Learning Library Complex.
'I would maintain that at the core of any great institution is a great library. Ours is in need of attention and investment. This renovation – together with the additional square footage of new learning spaces – are at the core of our mission as a university,' Benson wrote in a February 2021 message.
Borrowing and building on initiatives from other schools, CCU officials rolled out an incentive program that offered $2,500 scholarships weekly for 10 weeks along with two grand prize, full-ride scholarships for a semester in a bid to get students vaccinated against COVID.
'I have read about other places and other institutions that are doing this but I don't think that anyone is doing it quite as aggressively as we are,' Benson said at the time. 'We have been talking about ways that we can make our campus safe, so the board of trustees approved our putting aside $300,000 to use to incentivize students. We are pretty excited about it. And, I hope students will take it seriously.'
Conway Medical Center donated a record $10 million to the university to help establish a College of Health and Human Performance, giving students access to degree programs such as nursing, public health and sports management.
'We see it as a chance to make a major investment, in a capital project, but most significantly, to help address the workforce needs in our county. We have more and more people moving here, and we have some really acute challenges as it relates to health care and training health care professionals,' Benson said at the time.
CCU's inaugural cohort of 28 students for its new bachelor of science in nursing prelicensure program was selected in January.
Tim Beck arrived in Conway from North Carolina State University, where he quickly landed a five-year deal to oversee the Sun Belt Conference powerhouse. Beck's daughter Haylie played volleyball at CCU.
Beck replaced Jamey Chadwell, who left to take over Liberty's program.
Coastal Carolina University secured state funding in June 2023 and broke ground that fall on a $20 million, 93,365-square-foot indoor practice facility for its athletic teams using $5 million in capital project reserves and $10 million from donor gifts.
The facility located south of Brooks Stadium, will include a full-size synthetic turf football field; a tower for coaches; a training room; video recording platforms; lighting and sound systems; restrooms; and storage space.
Through the program, space technology will help to conduct scientific research aimed at addressing pressing issues in the management of the coastal environment and focus on monitoring and managing coastal erosion, sea-level rise, stormwater runoff, and other ecological concerns critical to the health of South Carolina's coastal regions.
ChantSat-1 is expected to go into space in the spring or fall of 2027 and be in space for three to five years. The project will cost roughly $1.2 mill to $1.5 million.
Officials in June said they secured $10 million worth of federal and state funding to help finance a walkway over Highway 544 — a project years in the making.
The university began exploring the idea of a pedestrian walkway in October 2016 — weeks after 19-year-old Ryan Bielawa was hit and killed by a drunken driver as he crossed the highway.
'I've been in other places where pedestrian pedways work, so this is a priority and we're going to find a way to fund it,' Benson told a state House Ways and Means subcommittee during a Jan. 24, 2024 meeting in Columbia.
A project nine years in the making, Mayor Brenda Bethune said at the event that construction is a turning point for Myrtle Beach's future.
The $22.3 million venture is being built along an historic stretch of Main Street, occupying what once was Mates' Dress Shop, J&J Drugs and the original Broadway Theater.
Once complete, the 300-seat performing arts center expected to open in 2026 will boast amenities including rooftop patio space.
CCU will house its performing arts programs inside the theater, while also hosting cultural events. The school is responsible for operating costs and in return gets a minimum of 150 use days, while the city gets 30.
'This community will be so enriched by this venue. But more importantly, by the people that animate it. Enliven it. And bring to everybody. This is a venue and a facility for everybody,' Benson said.
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Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here.
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