Steven D. Bennion
Encyclopedia
Steven D. Bennion has served as president of Snow College
, Ricks College, and Southern Utah University
. Most recently, he was president
of the New York New York City South Mission
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Bennion was born and raised in Salt Lake City. He served a mission for the LDS Church in Scotland and earned his bachelors degree from the University of Utah
. He married Marjorie Hopkins in the Salt Lake Temple
in 1963. Bennion then went to Cornell University
where he earned a MPA degree. Following this he worked in the state of Wisconsin and then the University of Wisconsin in budget positions. He also received an Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin.
During his tenure at Ricks College, Bennion prepared the college for the future as computer access for students was expanded. The “fast track” program was developed to allow more students to attend. As a result of that program, student enrollment increased to 8,250 students. The John Taylor Building was constructed, the first new building on campus in 17 years.
Bennion left Ricks College to preside over Southern Utah University. In 2006, Bennion left Southern Utah University to preside over the New York New York City South Mission. He officially began his duties as president of the mission
on July 1, 2006 and served through July 1, 2009.
Bennion is the grandson of prominent Utah educator Milton Bennion
, who served as the first president of what would later become Southern Utah University.
In addition to being a mission president, Bennion has also served as a bishop and a member of a stake presidency in the LDS Church.
Snow College
Snow College is a rural, two-year state college located in Ephraim, Utah, U.S. It offers certificates and associate degrees in a number of areas...
, Ricks College, and Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University, or SUU, is located in Cedar City, Utah. It was founded in 1897 as an extension of the Agricultural College of Utah, by the citizens of Cedar City.During its history, the school has been known as:...
. Most recently, he was president
Mission president
Mission president is a priesthood leadership position in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . A mission president presides over a mission and the missionaries serving in the mission...
of the New York New York City South Mission
Mission (LDS Church)
A mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a geographical administrative area to which church missionaries are assigned. Almost all areas of the world are within the boundaries of an LDS Church mission, whether or not Mormon missionaries live or proselytize in the area...
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Bennion was born and raised in Salt Lake City. He served a mission for the LDS Church in Scotland and earned his bachelors degree from the University of Utah
University of Utah
The University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest...
. He married Marjorie Hopkins in the Salt Lake Temple
Salt Lake Temple
The Salt Lake Temple is the largest and best-known of more than 130 temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is the sixth temple built by the church, requiring 40 years to complete, and the fourth operating temple built since the Mormon exodus from Nauvoo,...
in 1963. Bennion then went to Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
where he earned a MPA degree. Following this he worked in the state of Wisconsin and then the University of Wisconsin in budget positions. He also received an Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin.
During his tenure at Ricks College, Bennion prepared the college for the future as computer access for students was expanded. The “fast track” program was developed to allow more students to attend. As a result of that program, student enrollment increased to 8,250 students. The John Taylor Building was constructed, the first new building on campus in 17 years.
Bennion left Ricks College to preside over Southern Utah University. In 2006, Bennion left Southern Utah University to preside over the New York New York City South Mission. He officially began his duties as president of the mission
Mission (LDS Church)
A mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a geographical administrative area to which church missionaries are assigned. Almost all areas of the world are within the boundaries of an LDS Church mission, whether or not Mormon missionaries live or proselytize in the area...
on July 1, 2006 and served through July 1, 2009.
Bennion is the grandson of prominent Utah educator Milton Bennion
Milton Bennion
Milton Bennion was an American educator and a university and educational administrator.-Biography:Bennion was born in Taylorsville, Utah Territory. He received a B.S. degree from the University of Utah in 1897 and an M.A...
, who served as the first president of what would later become Southern Utah University.
In addition to being a mission president, Bennion has also served as a bishop and a member of a stake presidency in the LDS Church.