Henry G. Bennett
Henry G. Bennett
“Years later, writers were to refer to Dr. Bennett as showing definite signs of having inherited much of the ‘word’ power of his father and the ‘will’ power of his mother.”
Biography
Dr. Henry G. Bennett was born in Arkansas and graduated from Ouachita College (now Ouachita Baptist University) in 1907. He served as superintendent of schools in Choctaw County, Oklahoma (1909-1910), and Hugo, Oklahoma (1910-1919). He then served as president of Southeastern State Teachers College (now Southeastern Oklahoma State University) from 1919 to 1928 before accepting the presidency of Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College (now Oklahoma State University) in Stillwater (1928-1951).
His brilliant leadership can be seen in the college he built – the vast campus, the educational facilities and the scholastic attainment all are a credit to his original vision. His educational influence was international and he was the prolific author of such works as Trail Breaking, On the High Road, and American Literature. It was during a trip from Ethiopia to Iran on an education mission for the United States Point Four Program that Bennett tragically died in a plane crash.
Fun fact
In 2000 Dr. Henry Bennett was recognized by Oklahoma Today magazine as one of the 50 most influential Oklahomans of the century.
Oklahoma connections
Bennett came to Choctaw County, Oklahoma, as superintendent of schools in 1909.