É«É«À²

With over 40 years at É«É«À², Pat Benton has a long history with the University.  Benton received a B.S. in Aviation Technology and Management from É«É«À² in 1980, having obtained his FAA Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic license the year prior. Benton served in the United States Army from 1968-70 and was awarded three commendation medals and a Presidential Unit Citation. As a student, Benton assisted professors, performing maintenance on lab equipment and É«É«À² flight training aircraft from 1977-79. Benton was an undergraduate teaching assistant from 1979-80, and a graduate assistant from 1980-81. He served as a part time instructor from 1982-84 and performed advising duties, participated in research projects, and served as Sky Bronco faculty advisor. In 1991, after working for National Waterlift, he returned to É«É«À² as an Assistant Professor in Engineering Technology at the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. In 1993, Benton transitioned to the newly created É«É«À² School of Aviation Sciences, which would eventually become the É«É«À² College of Aviation, where he stayed until his retirement in 2017.  Benton earned a M.S. in manufacturing administration from É«É«À² in 1991, and served the college, the University, and acted as advisor to countless students.