A year ago, the Greer Campus of Greenville Technical College became the Benson Campus, honoring Jim and Evelyn Benson and their donation to the college.
The gift of $2 million is the largest cash gift ever received by the Greenville Tech Foundation. In addition, the Bensons pledged an additional $1 million to be paid over five years. In recognition of both gifts, the campus was renamed. Signage unveiled recently designates the campus as the Benson Campus and building 301 as the Jim and Evelyn Benson Center. The money donated is being used to improve the campus and to expand facilities in order to better serve the students of Greer, Taylors, and surrounding areas for many years to come.
Benson, who established a used car business in Greer early in his career, has remained an active participant in the community as his automotive group has grown to include seven dealerships in Greer, Easley, and Spartanburg. “I owe a lot to the people of Greer for their early and continued support of my efforts. I am pleased to have this opportunity to give something back,” Benson said.
“Jim Benson is a prime example of what can come with hard work and determination, a man who started with little and traveled a path of self-made success,” said Dr. Keith Miller, president of Greenville Technical College. “With his donation, our Benson Campus can be a path to a better future for generations to come.”
Located at 2522 Locust Hill Road in Taylors, the Benson Campus houses core programs including Visual and Performing Arts, Physical Therapist Assistant, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Health Information Management, Personal Trainer, Pharmacy Technician, and Massage Therapy. In addition, general education courses that are needed for any major are offered along with courses that transfer to four-year colleges and universities through the University Transfer program.