For many alumni and alumnae commemorating their 50th reunion this year, the celebration will be among family and dear friends. Today the entire Colleges community is able to celebrate Bruce Bensley, Hobart Class of '51, long-time board member, and recipient of a Doctor of Humane Letters degree.
Mr. Bensley's commitment to Hobart and William Smith Colleges is extensive and varied. While a student, he was a Druid and elected to Chimera and Orange Key. He was president of his Senior Class, Captain of the golf team and played varsity football, and was also active with Board of Control and Interfraternity Council. His involvement with Hobart Alumni activities began a number of fund-raising committees, and in 1980 was elected to the Board of Turstees. As a trustee, Mr. Bensley was noted for his ability to work closely with others and bring his considerable financial expertise to a variety of committees, Investments, Admissions, Trustees, Financial Affairs, and Institutional Advancement. He received two Hobart Alumni Citations, in 1968 and 1996, and is co-chair of the 2001 Reunion – his 50th.
Mr. Bensley's daughter, Carolyn, is a 1998 graduate of William Smith College.
Mr. Bensley, formally the director of the Mutual savings Bank of Mrristown, vice president of Goldman Sachs. And managing director of C.J. Lawrence, one of the oldest stock exchange firms since the Civil War and a subsidiary of Deutche Bank, is now a member-trustee of the Fanni E. Rippel Foundation. Throughout his career, he has served as an investment officer, account manager, and vice president to a number of financial and investment institutions.
He is active as a trustee and treasurer of the Diocesan Investment Trust of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark, N.J., and is the former president of the YMCA of Morristown, and a member of the Central Atlantic Area Council of the National YMCA.
A trusted friend and advisor, Bruce N. Bensley's 50th reunion celebration at Hobart is matched only by the gratitude of the entire community for his remarkable commitment to the Colleges.