Oilfield Roughneck to University President: Bruce Benson

by Ken McConnellogue

Bruce Benson was a man in a hurry. Born on the Fourth of July, he drew on a fierce work ethic learned on a World War II-era farm outside Chicago to propel him through an eventful and remarkable life. He overcame an early family upheaval and elusive educational success to attend an Ivy League university. Unsatisfied, he left school and hitchhiked west, where he worked as a roughneck in the Wyoming oil patch. He learned rigs from the ground up, working from the most menial rig job (known as a "worm") to become a top derrick hand. Fascinated by geology, he pursued his education in the field at the University of Colorado, where he learned the science of what was below the ground and earned a bachelor's degree.

He completed coursework for a master's degree, but as part of his thesis, he began drilling oil wells in southeastern Kansas. When 10 of the 11 wells he drilled produced oil, his master's advisor encouraged him to put the thesis on hold and continue drilling. After early struggles with his fledgling company, he used grit and savvy to build a prosperous oil and gas operation that at one time was among the largest oil and gas producers in Oklahoma. The company had operations in several states before he moved its headquarters to Denver in 1972.

Its success allowed him to pursue his passion for making a difference in education, politics, philanthropy and community service. After his first marriage ended, he met and married his soulmate, Marcy. Her journey before Bruce had taken her from her native Oklahoma to the White House, where she worked for Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. Marcy and Bruce were partners in all they did, and they did plenty. They forged a deep commitment to elevating the fortunes of countless community organizations, causes and civic endeavors.

Bruce engaged in myriad efforts to improve education, a particular passion for him. The capstone was serving as President of the University of Colorado, his alma mater. He overcame significant opposition to his candidacy for the position (largely among faculty, students and legislators) due to his background in oil and gas, as well as his active role in Republican Party politics (including the nomination to be the Republican candidate for Colorado's governor in 1994). After securing the university presidency in 2008, he led the four-campus system to a period of remarkable growth and sustained success during his 11-plus years as president.

Bruce and Marcy's quintessential American story demonstrates the power and promise of education, and of lives well lived.

532 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 15, 2024