CU Boulder President Bruce Benson To Step Down

BOULDER, CO – After 10 years leading Colorado's flagship university, alumnus and President Bruce Benson, 80, announced he will step down from his post in July of 2019.

Benson, whose annual salary is $359,100, has led university to improved solvency since the scary days of the 2008 economic crash. Benson graduated with a geology degree from the university in 1964 and made his fortune in the oil and gas industry before branching into other businesses. He chaired the Colorado Republican Party from 1987-1993 and ran unsuccessfully as a GOP candidate for Colorado Governor in 1994.

During Benson's time at University of Colorado, enrollment has increased from 54,174 to 65,375 (with an additional 7,000 taking courses for credit), the university said in a statement. The university's endowment has almost doubled from $640 million to $1.2 billion and "internally generated" financial aid increased from $88 million to $184 million.

In a statement to faculty and staff announcing his planned retirement, Benson credited the staff's efforts to keep tuition in check and "make access to a CU education a reality for Coloradans."

"The University of Colorado has been a part of my life since I was an undergraduate some 55 years ago. It will remain an important part of my life," Benson said.

Read the letter to faculty and staff:

Bruce D. Benson Statement

July 18, 2018

It has been my honor and privilege to serve as president of the University of Colorado for the past decade. Today I informed the University of Colorado Board of Regents that I intend to retire from my position, effective July 2019. I want to give the board ample time to find a successor who can continue the tremendous positive momentum at CU.

I’m proud of what we have accomplished over the past 10-plus years. The university is well positioned for a bright future. I want to stress that it is a team effort. On all four CU campuses, we have record enrollment, record research funding and record fundraising. Tens of thousands of students have earned degrees that will improve their lives and allow them to contribute to communities across Colorado and beyond. We have kept tuition increases in check, substantially increased financial aid and made access to a CU education a reality for Coloradans. The university has shown improvements in all forms of diversity.

My goal as CU president has always been simple – to make sure the university is among the best in the world, and we have a faculty that delivers on that promise every day. Great staff members support them. Students and alumni embody the university’s ideals and contributions. Donors add substantial value to our enterprise.

The university has contributed billions to our state’s economy and is one of Colorado’s greatest public assets. We improve the economy, health and culture of our state every day. Our hospital partners, with their $4.1 billion annual budget, provide first-rate health care and innovations that improve the lives of those in Colorado and beyond.

I’m also proud that our $4.5 billion annual enterprise runs efficiently and effectively thanks to measures we have taken over the past decade. Additionally, we have partnered with the Colorado legislature and governor to pass many bills that not only help CU run efficiently, but all of higher education in the state.

CU has also been innovative in the delivery of education and has placed a sharp focus on ensuring that our campuses are places where robust debate and discussion are welcome, as is a diversity of viewpoints.

None of this happens because of one person. CU is fortunate to have an exemplary faculty, an exceptional staff, a great executive team and first-rate campus chancellors.

Over the next year, I will work with the Board of Regents and my team to continue to build on the progress we have made.

Finally, I would like to thank my wife Marcy for her support. She is a partner in every sense of the word and she has supported me throughout my tenure. I could not do this job without her.

The University of Colorado has been a part of my life since I was an undergraduate some 55 years ago. It will remain an important part of my life. It will also remain critical to Colorado’s success and will continue to address the critical issues facing our nation and world. I invite you to join me in ensuring that CU lives up to the considerable promise of higher education. Thank you for allowing me to serve as your president.

Image via University of Colorado Boulder