10th annual event honored Dr. Benson’s lasting influence and celebrated excellence across Kentucky State University’s College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources

FRANKFORT, Ky. — A decade after Kentucky State University began gathering in his name, Dr. Harold R. Benson’s legacy continues to live through students preparing for agricultural careers, faculty advancing applied research, and Extension professionals carrying the University’s land-grant mission into communities across the Commonwealth.

The University celebrated the 10th Annual Harold R. Benson Agricultural Luncheon on Wednesday, April 29, honoring Dr. Benson’s life and influence while recognizing excellence across the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources.

The program was presided over by Dr. Marcus Bernard, dean of the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources and director of Land-Grant Programs, and opened with student leaders Jaiya McCargo and Jade McCargo of MANRRS, who welcomed guests and introduced Dr. Koffi C. Akakpo, Kentucky State’s 19th president.

Dr. Akakpo thanked the College’s Extension and research teams, partners, students, and special guests for their work in preparing the event and advancing Kentucky State’s mission.

“Working together to develop creative solutions and drive impact throughout Kentucky is critical for the future of the Commonwealth,” Dr. Akakpo said. “We want our students to think beyond the classroom and receive learning opportunities that broaden their ways of thinking and prepare them to be resilient and dynamic citizens.”

Dr. Benson, who was raised on a small farm in Bamberg County, South Carolina, became one of the most influential land-grant leaders in Kentucky State history. After graduating from Morris College in 1966 with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, he earned a master’s degree in counseling and a doctorate in Extension education from The Ohio State University.

At Kentucky State, Dr. Benson served as Extension administrator for 36 years, from 1975 to 2011, and research director for 26 years, from 1985 to 2011. His work helped shape the University’s modern land-grant programs and contributed nationally to the development of the USDA 1890 Land-Grant funding system.

A tribute video honoring Dr. Benson, shown during the luncheon, helped frame the day as both a remembrance and a continuation of purpose. Members of Dr. Benson’s family, including Geneva Benson and Yolanda Cherie Benson, were recognized during the program.

“The Benson Luncheon was created to remember the contributions of Dr. Harold R. Benson and recognize our fantastic students preparing to be the next leaders in agriculture,” Dr. Bernard said. “Dr. Benson demonstrated from a humble beginning that hard work and a commitment to helping people can significantly impact the world we live in.”

That connection between legacy and present-day impact was visible throughout the luncheon.

Guests were served University-grown beef featured in one of the spaghetti sauces, along with pawpaw ice cream and cupcakes, tying the meal itself to the College’s agricultural, research, and educational work.

The luncheon also recognized faculty, staff, Extension professionals, aquaculture leaders, graduate students, undergraduate students, 1890 Scholars, Agriculture, Food, and the Environment graduates, honors students, and master’s degree candidates.

Faculty honorees included Dr. Suraj Upadahya, Outstanding Early Career Faculty of the Year; Dr. Sarah Carr, Early Career of the Year Award in Teaching; Dr. Theoneste Nzaramyimana and Dr. Anuj Chiluwal, Early Career of the Year Award in Research; and Dr. Avinash Tope, Faculty of the Year Award in Grantsmanship.

Student honorees included Simone Graham and Manish Pandit, Outstanding Graduate Student Award recipients, and Jaiya McCargo, Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award recipient.

The School of Aquaculture and Aquatic Science also recognized Nathan Cochran with the Excellence in Service Award, Ken Thompson with the Distinguished Career Award, and Ifeoluwa Durowaiye with the Outstanding Graduate Student Award.

Extension honorees included Jessica Marquez and Rebecca Woodal, Extension Story of Impact Award; Stephanie Back and Kimberly Harriford, Extension Professional Excellence Award; Kristin Thompson and Danielle Kinder, Extension Learning and Engagement Award; Tyler London and Anita Love, Innovative Extension Practice Award; and Casey Townsend and Lyndsey Crumbie, Dean’s Award for Excellence in Extension.

Sen. Gerald A. Neal, Kentucky Senate Minority Floor Leader and a Kentucky State University alumnus, delivered the keynote address. A longtime advocate for the University, Sen. Neal has represented the 33rd District since 1989 and remains one of Kentucky State’s most distinguished public servants.

Sen. Neal spoke of his longtime friendship with Dr. Benson, with whom he partnered on numerous initiatives.

“Dr. Benson always emphasized the importance of education and service, and today’s event makes clear that this focus remains central to the important work being done at Kentucky State University,” Sen. Neal said.

The luncheon concluded with recognition of USDA 1890 Scholars, Agriculture, Food, and the Environment graduates, honors students, and students completing master’s degrees this May.

Dr. Bernard also thanked alumni and friends of the University for the support they continue to provide to Kentucky State students and to the University’s mission of impact.

For Kentucky State, the event served as more than an annual awards program. It was a reminder that Dr. Benson’s name remains attached not only to a luncheon or a farm, but to a living mission: preparing students, supporting communities, strengthening agriculture, and extending the University’s impact across Kentucky.