Dr. Charles J Bensman
President of Thomas More College (1986-1992)
Dr. Charles J. Bensman led Thomas More College through a period of renewal and growth. During his presidency, the College launched a major capital campaign, expanded continuing education programs, increased enrollment, and constructed the Conner Convocation Center while strengthening its Catholic identity and long-term financial stability.
Charles J. Bensman was born on September 14, 1933, in Celina, Ohio. A lifelong educator and administrator, he dedicated his career to Catholic higher education and leadership. Bensman earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Dayton before completing a Doctor of Education degree at Ball State University in 1969. He and his wife, Judith, were the parents of four children.
Before coming to Thomas More College, Dr. Bensman served in several senior leadership positions in higher education, including president of Briar Cliff College in Iowa and president of Nebraska Western College. His leadership philosophy emphasized service, innovation, accessibility, and the integration of faith and learning. When Dr. Bensman became president in 1986, Thomas More College faced significant challenges, including declining enrollment and financial uncertainty. Through strategic planning and institution-wide collaboration, he guided the College through a period of revitalization and growth.
Under his leadership, the College developed a comprehensive ten-year strategic plan and launched a successful $5 million capital campaign to strengthen facilities and expand institutional resources. His administration also broadened continuing education opportunities and expanded the College’s reach throughout Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana. Perhaps the most visible accomplishment of his presidency was the construction of the Conner Convocation/Athletic Center, one of the largest campus expansion projects since the College’s move to Crestview Hills. These efforts contributed to a 35 percent increase in enrollment during his tenure.
Dr. Bensman believed that Catholic higher education should develop both the intellect and the spirit. He viewed education as a transformational experience grounded in faith, service, and academic excellence. He frequently described Thomas More College as a “diamond in the rough,” expressing his conviction that the institution possessed extraordinary potential for growth and distinction. His leadership style combined practical problem-solving with optimism and a strong commitment to mission. Colleagues remembered his ability to unite faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners around a common vision for the College’s future. In 1989, Dr. Bensman was ordained a Permanent Deacon in the Diocese of Covington. Alongside his responsibilities as president, he exercised diaconal ministry in service to Thomas More College and later at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Fort Mitchell. His commitment to ministry reflected his belief that education, faith, and service are inseparable components of the Catholic intellectual tradition.
Dr. Bensman passed away on November 22, 1994 in Covington, Kentucky.