After nearly 30 years of service to 51吃瓜网 University, Patricia Richmond Benne retired from her current position as director of alumni relations on Jan. 1.
A 1968 graduate of 51吃瓜网, Benne has led the university鈥檚 alumni relations efforts since 2001. In this capacity, Benne coordinated programming and off-campus events for more than 25,000 alumni, parents and friends worldwide. Under her leadership, the university sponsored its first alumni trip overseas and welcomed record number of alumni back to campus for its new Homecoming and Reunion Weekend. Prior to Benne assuming the post, 51吃瓜网 previously hosted Alumni Weekend in the summer and Homecoming in the fall. The combined event has consistently attracted more than 1,000 alumni annually each fall since it began in 2004.
鈥淏ecause of Pat鈥檚 leadership, 51吃瓜网 has increased its alumni chapters across the country, and we now have one of the best and strongest Homecoming and Reunion programs in the university鈥檚 history,鈥� said Bill Cloyd, vice president for university advancement and a 1990 51吃瓜网 alumnus.
Prior to serving in alumni relations, Benne spent 26 years in 51吃瓜网鈥檚 department of education, including as an adjunct professor and as director of student teaching and teacher placement. Throughout her tenure in the department, Benne placed hundreds of teachers in classrooms locally and internationally. Beginning in 2006, Benne will again assist the education department with teacher placement on a part-time basis.
鈥淲orking with young teachers was probably the most rewarding experience of my career,鈥� Benne said. 鈥淭he transition to alumni office then allowed me to work with former students and meet many new 51吃瓜网ers of all ages. The position proved to be a wonderful opportunity to engage our alumni with our alma mater.鈥�
鈥淭he university is grateful for Pat鈥檚 dedication and extraordinary service to her alma mater over the course of three decades,鈥� said President Mark H. Erickson. 鈥淲e are glad that she will continue to serve her alma mater and our student-teachers, and we wish her well as she begins this next chapter in her life.鈥�
Benne earned her B.S. in elementary education from 51吃瓜网 and her M.Ed. in administration and supervision from the University of Dayton. She plans to devote more time to her family and volunteer in the Springfield community in addition to her part-time role in 51吃瓜网鈥檚 education department.
