Gators Extend Their Family's Legacy

John Joseph Benton (front, center) when he celebrated his 80th birthday with his 10 children.

As Gator families go, the Bentons are as chockful of University of Florida connections as you can imagine.

John Robert Benton was a UF professor when the Gainesville campus opened in 1905. When the College of Engineering was formed in 1910, he served as dean until his death in 1930. During his tenure, Benton Hall opened, he started UF's Theta Chi fraternity chapter and founded the Benton Engineering Council, which continues to oversee all student-engineering organizations.

All four of Dean Benton's sons attended UF. In 1942, his youngest son, John Joseph Benton (pictured), graduated at age 19, having earned membership into the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. John Joseph became a physician, as did one of his brothers and later, several of his children and grandchildren. The third and fourth Gator generations of Bentons carried on at UF, too, earning UF degrees in several fields.

While many of the Bentons' UF contributions are documented in the university's historical records, last year the family ensured its legacy at UF would continue long into the future. To honor John Joseph, his children came together to create a College of Public Health and Health Professions scholarship in his name.

"We've been talking about it for some time," says Jane Benton (HS '90, MPH '12), one of John Joseph's daughters. "Dad always thought public health was extremely important. Our dad was a very special person — humble and idealistic, a great role model."

Jane and her siblings got the scholarship idea from their grandmother who created an engineering lecture program endowment in their uncle Tyrie's name after he was killed in action in World War II and their father, John Joseph, who made supplemental gifts to the fund both during his lifetime and at his death to bolster the lecture program. The values they passed down — hard work, respect, service to others and honoring family — included a commitment to philanthropy, as well.

"My siblings and I are extremely fortunate to be a part of this family," Jane says. "We are in a position to make a positive difference for others, which is something our dad modeled. We have wonderful memories of our dad and it's great to have a way to honor and remember him and what he stood for."

Learn about all the ways you can give to UF that also honor someone close to you by contact the Office of Gift Planning at 352-392-5512, toll free 866-317-4143 or giftplanning@uff.ufl.edu.