Michael T. Benson

A native of Salt Lake City, Utah, Michael Benson graduated Cum Laude with a degree in Political Science, English, and History from Brigham Young University in 1990. As an undergraduate, Michael earned a six-month scholarship to study at BYU's Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies. This trip in 1989 was the first of 15 visits to the Holy Land which have accumulated into nearly 18 months that Michael has lived in Israel.

While studying for his Doctorate at Oxford University, Michael was a Rotary Foundation Scholar and a Visiting Research Fellow at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. During his dissertation research and writing, Michael worked as a tour guide throughout Israel and Egypt and completed his Doctorate at Oxford in Modern Middle Eastern History in 1995.  Dr. Benson has taught International Relations at BYU and still maintains an appointment as Associate Professor (Adjunct) in the Department of Political Science at the University of Utah. His articles have appeared in the Jerusalem Post, the Arizona Republic, the Kansas City Star, the Salt Lake Tribune, and the Deseret News, and his 1993 article "Harry S. Truman as a Modern-day Cyrus," won the Brigham Young University Studies writing contest.

In 1997, Michael published his first book Harry S. Truman and the Founding of Israel (Praeger). This critically-acclaimed work has been featured in numerous journals, magazines, and articles.  Dr. Benson's expertise in Middle Eastern History has led to several consulting contracts, including as a Consulting Historian and Essayist for the Harry S. Truman Library in Independence, Missouri.  He is regularly sought after for speaking engagements on the modern Middle East and is a regular contributor to newspapers and other publications. 
         
In October 2001, the Utah State Board of Regents named Dr. Benson the 14th President of Snow College, a two-year institution of approximately 3000 students with campuses in Ephraim and Richfield, Utah.  Age 36 at the time of his appointment, Dr. Benson is the youngest College or University President in the history of the Utah State System of Higher Education. 

Michael T. Benson was appointed the 15th president of Southern Utah University on November 10, 2006, by the Utah State Board of Regents.  Benson recently completed a term as the Chair of the Mountain States Association of Community Colleges.  Prior to his tenure at Snow, Dr. Benson was special assistant to the president and secretary to the University of Utah, a cabinet-level position on that campus.  He also holds the rank of full professor at SUU in the Department of Political Science.

An accomplished athlete, Michael has completed several marathons, including the Boston Marathon, with his fastest time (2 hours and 41 minutes) and winning his age division in the St. George Marathon.

Michael's church service has included a full-time mission to Rome, Italy, organist in the Provo Temple, and a Gospel Doctrine Teacher.   Michael has two children: a daughter, Emma, and a son, Samuel.

Tours Guided by Michael T. Benson