John C. Benson *59

John C. Benson, who spent almost 50 years at St. Peter's College in Jersey City, N.J., as professor and administrator, died Jan. 7, 2007. He was 75.

Benson received a bachelor's from St. Peter's in 1953, and as a Fulbright Scholar from 1953 to 1955, earned a doctorate in classics at the University of Turin. He earned a master's in classics from Princeton in 1959.

Of his near half-century on the St. Peter's faculty, most were spent as chairman of the classics and modern languages departments. He received many awards for his teaching, and his popularity enabled him to continue teaching until 2004, when he retired for the second time as professor emeritus. Many of his students were inspired to study abroad.

Benson also taught a popular course on "Culture of the City," whereby he took his students on architectural walks, visited museums and churches, and introduced them to the music, plays, and dances performed in New York City.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon, and his daughter, Juliana.