NEWBERRY — The Call Me MISTER program of Newberry College hosted an appreciation luncheon to celebrate the life and legacy of former Newberry County Superintendent Bennie Bennett, who was killed in a car accident earlier this year.

During the student-led event, members of the Call Me MISTER Program and Omega Phi Si Fraternity reflected on Bennett’s life and his many accolades.

For Call Me MISTER Chris Dupree, this was an event that reflected who Bennett was as a person.

“Personally I didn’t know Mr. Bennett, but I’ve heard about all of the good things he has done and stood for, so it’s great to be able to reflect and show our appreciation for him,” Dupree said.

For Vincent Hicklin, member of Omega Phi Si Fraternity, the event meant reflecting on Bennett’s efforts to better the community, races and schools.

“I’ve personally engaged in some of the activities or mentorships that Mr. Bennett had at both elementary, middle and high schools. Now I’m part of Newberry College and Mr. Bennett was very influential in building the bridge from Newberry College to the Newberry school system. I hope that people are able to gauge Mr. Bennett’s legacy and I hope that it inspires people to continue to carry his legacy on,” Hicklin said.

Newberry College senior Gerald Evans gave a student’s perspective, reflecting on the first time he was introduced to Bennett when interviewing him for an article for The Newberry Observer.

“Tremendous faith, work ethic, support system and team player. Those are the four things that Mr. Bennett credited for his success that had in his life. He was a mentor to many young people in Newberry,” Evans said. “He cared so much about the education system and the students he was teaching. He cared so much about the people he was interacting with every single day.”

Newberry County Superintendent Jim Suber closed the event with his remarks on Bennett’s life and trying to fill the shoes of a man who had such an impact on the community.

“What I hear is a common thread. I hear that word ‘mentor’ and ‘leader.’ It wasn’t just with young people. He did the same thing with his staff. This school district is moving forward and this school district will be successful because Bennie Bennett had the vision to put the right people in the right place. Bennie Bennett was a leader who was not scared to make a tough decision,” Suber said.

Front row: Assistant Professor of Business Administration Paul Smith, center, Bennett’s wife Frankie Bennett, right, Dr. Peggy Winder, Newberry College Director of Diversity Education, along with the Call Me MISTERS and members of Omega Phi Si Fraternity.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_Bennett1.jpgFront row: Assistant Professor of Business Administration Paul Smith, center, Bennett’s wife Frankie Bennett, right, Dr. Peggy Winder, Newberry College Director of Diversity Education, along with the Call Me MISTERS and members of Omega Phi Si Fraternity. Kelly Duncan | The Newberry Observer

By Kelly Duncan

kduncan@civitasmedia.com

Reach Kelly Duncan at 803-768-3123 ext. 1868, or on Twitter @TheNBOnews.