2010 Georgia Hall of Fame

Legacy

Dr. Benson was a member of Hines Memorial C.M.E Church. He was retired from Albany State University as a teacher, mentor, professor and Chair of the Department of Biology before he was appointed Vice President for Academic Affairs. In 2001 the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia conferred Vice President Emeritus status upon Dr. Benson.

Dr. Benson served as a member of the board of directors for several organizations, including the YMCA, Albany Football Officials Association, Boys and Girls Club of Albany, Bank of America, Ritz Cultural Center, Phoebe Putney Hospital, Phoebe Putney Hospital Foundation, Salvation Army, American Red Cross and American Cancer Society. He had also served on the Albany/Dougherty County Hospital Authority.  Other affiliations include the Criterion Club and the Delta Boulé of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity. As an official with the Atlantic Coast Conference since 1974, Dr. Benson officiated over 250 regular season games and 26 bowl games, including two Orange Bowls. He was a crew chief and a recipient of the 1996 Joe Long Service to Officiating Award for dedicated service, as an official and to the Association. Dr. Benson also received the 2002 Commissioner’s Award which is the highest recognition given to an ACC official.

Under Dr. Benson’s leadership, The Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs of Georgia became a productive reality generating millions of dollars for Georgia youth. In 2004 Dr. Benson was awarded the C.A.R.E Award (Children are Reasons for Excellence) from the Georgia Area Council and the 2007 Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Area Council Liaison of the Year Award, during the National Conference in Orlando, Florida. Dr. Benson passed away in 2008.

Lifetime

Ron comes from a family embedded in servant leadership. His parents and brother served as lifetime career Salvation Army regional and national leaders. As a club professional, beginning in 1954 through 1994, Ron has been an athletic director, program director, associate executive director, and executive director in successful and growing organization in Alabama, Maryland, North Carolina, New York City, Tennessee and Georgia.

Ron served as the Chief Professional Officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta from 1979 until 1994. During his tenure Ron established a successful endowment program, revitalized corporate and unit advisory boards, and developed a strong, trained professional staff which developed, managed and conducted outstanding programs. Ron will tell you that one of his greatest satisfactions are the many professionals he brought into his organizations, who have successfully continued to serve the Movement as Chief Professional Officer’s across the nation or who are now on the national staff.

Ron has received many prestigious awards. He is most grateful for the national Herman Prescott Award for his work in promoting advancement of minority professionals in the Movement, the Robert Sykes Professional of the Year Award, Boys & Girls Clubs of Chattanooga Legacy Award, and the Distinguished Service Award, from the Atlanta Kiwanis Club. In 1981 the National Father’s Day Committee selected him, along with Bobby Dodd as Southeast Father of the Year.

Ron received his undergraduate degree from High Point College and attended Boys Club Administration, an Urban Studies program at NYU.

Ron is married to Ruth Osborne a highly successful and dedicated youth professional in her own right. The Osborne’s have three sons, including one who is in the Boys & Girls Clubs Movement. They enjoy time with grandchildren and extensive travel in the US and abroad.