Luke Poindexter 2024 Recipient
In 2023 the Benjamin Family Scholarship Fund was established to award Scholarships to future Alliance High School graduates. William E ‘Bill’ Benjamin, AHS Class of 1968, originated this fund to honor his entire family, in particular, an uncle, Dr. Chester Benjamin ‘40, AHS Distinguished Alumnus elected in 1969, and a brother, Robert Lee Benjamin ‘69, AHS Distinguished Alumnus elected in 2014.
Dr Chester Benjamin ’40 served four years in the U S Navy during WW II and returned to Mount Union to graduate in 1948. He continued his education at the University of Iowa, where he earned his master’s degree and doctorate. Early in his career, he was involved in research with the growth and fermentation of penicillin. Dr. Benjamin became president of the Mycological Society of America in 1967. As the incoming president he challenged the membership to increase participation in international activities. He began representing the U S government on many international committees with Japan and throughout the world.
Upon his graduation from Alliance High School, Robert Benjamin was accepted by the Ivy School of Professional Art in Pittsburgh. He then moved west and worked in New Mexico as an illustrator, art director, lithographer and art bronze foundry owner. He decided that his true love was landscape painting. Robert’s lithographs are displayed in museums and galleries across the country, including the Smithsonian Institution National Collection of Fine Arts, Washington D.C.; The Museum of Natural History, Albuquerque; New Mexico, and other public and private collections.
Bill Benjamin ’68 graduated from Arizona State University with a concentration in computer programming. During his career he spent time in China and Japan and is now retired in Arizona. Bill has four children and twelve grandchildren.
The Benjamin Family Scholarship will be awarded annually to an AHS graduating senior planning to pursue their education beyond high school. Financial need and plans to study in a S.T.E.M. field (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) will qualify students for consideration.
The AHS Foundation Scholarship Committee will select recipients from applications received from each year’s graduating class. The Foundation appreciates the confidence demonstrated by entrusting administration of the Benjamin Family Scholarship Fund to our care.
Dr Chester Benjamin ’40 served four years in the U S Navy during WW II and returned to Mount Union to graduate in 1948. He continued his education at the University of Iowa, where he earned his master’s degree and doctorate. Early in his career, he was involved in research with the growth and fermentation of penicillin. Dr. Benjamin became president of the Mycological Society of America in 1967. As the incoming president he challenged the membership to increase participation in international activities. He began representing the U S government on many international committees with Japan and throughout the world.
Upon his graduation from Alliance High School, Robert Benjamin was accepted by the Ivy School of Professional Art in Pittsburgh. He then moved west and worked in New Mexico as an illustrator, art director, lithographer and art bronze foundry owner. He decided that his true love was landscape painting. Robert’s lithographs are displayed in museums and galleries across the country, including the Smithsonian Institution National Collection of Fine Arts, Washington D.C.; The Museum of Natural History, Albuquerque; New Mexico, and other public and private collections.
Bill Benjamin ’68 graduated from Arizona State University with a concentration in computer programming. During his career he spent time in China and Japan and is now retired in Arizona. Bill has four children and twelve grandchildren.
The Benjamin Family Scholarship will be awarded annually to an AHS graduating senior planning to pursue their education beyond high school. Financial need and plans to study in a S.T.E.M. field (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) will qualify students for consideration.
The AHS Foundation Scholarship Committee will select recipients from applications received from each year’s graduating class. The Foundation appreciates the confidence demonstrated by entrusting administration of the Benjamin Family Scholarship Fund to our care.
