New Golden Bearcat reflects on successful career in higher education
Linda Bennett, A&S ’74, ’78, ’81, leveraged her UC education to educate others as a university president, administrator and professor.
One of the most important and special occasions on the University of Cincinnati’s annual calendar comes at the conclusion of Alumni Week each spring. Capping several days of festivities that recognize and honor excellence within the family of lifelong Bearcats, the UC Alumni Association hosts the Golden Bearcat Society induction ceremonies for returning members of the class that graduated 50 years earlier.
By its nature, the reunion is nostalgic, rewarding and heartwarming. Alumni reunite at the place where they came of age a half century ago, bringing the wisdom accrued over decades of applying what they learned at UC, plus the impressive track records of their own unique achievements. It’s a time of joy as well as amazement at the ever-changing campus some may not have seen in decades. While the journey isn’t over, marking 50 years compels alumni to consider their legacy of impact.
Linda Bennett, A&S '74, '78, '81. Photo/provided.
As a member of the Class of 1974, Linda Bennett is about to add the title “Golden Bearcat” to her life’s work, in which she has helped produce new generations of college graduates who go on to leave their own imprints on the world. Bennett was president of the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville from 2009 to 2018, topping a career that saw her also serve as a professor and administrator at Wittenberg University, Northern Kentucky University, and Appalachian State University. She is grateful that her travels through higher education began at her hometown university, where she ultimately earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in political science from the College of Arts and Sciences. (Her college bestowed upon her its Distinguished Alumni Award in 2010.) Her UC student experience was a product of the times, and it blazed a trail within her family.
“Going to college had been my dream since junior high school,” said the Cincinnati native. “My parents had not had the opportunity to finish high school, something they regretted most of their lives. I navigated campus life by trial and error, and with the help of a high school friend who had enrolled with me.”
...from my first years in college teaching to the end of my career as a university president, I sought to encourage students to continue their education, even amidst personal challenges.
Linda Bennett A&S '74, '78, '81
Baby boomers like Bennett (then Linda Mayfield) were used to crowded classrooms and occasionally impersonal experiences. In such an environment, the professors who made it a point to meaningfully connect with their students stood out. When she entered academia as a career, Bennett remembered the value those connections brought and the ripple effects they could have throughout students’ lives.
“We were told that some students would inevitably be ‘weeded out’ before the end of the term,” she recalled of her earlier UC days. “I took that as a personal challenge. Then later, from my first years in college teaching to the end of my career as a university president, I sought to encourage students to continue their education, even amidst personal challenges.”
In particular, Bennett was seeing women gradually becoming more involved in key roles, which provided additional motivation.
“When I was in graduate school, more women were brought on as faculty, and that signaled hope for my own future. Grad school was challenging — it wasn’t comfortable as one of only a few females. Still, those challenges prepared me to confront other challenges in my career.”
Role model for the next generation
Linda Bennett with a student at a USI event. Photo/provided.
She never lost that drive to open up developmental pathways for others, including when she had the greatest opportunity to do so at Southern Indiana, which today features five colleges and nearly 10,000 students.
“As a vice president at USI, I focused on professional development for faculty and staff, then department chairs and deans,” Bennett said. “As president, I continued to foster those opportunities for all, but I very intentionally did so for up-and-coming women leaders.”
Just as UC does today, Southern Indiana saw a concentrated effort to create a learning-centered environment during Bennett’s time as president.
“The best way to draw in students is to model continued learning,” she said. “Even with my schedule as president, I met with students in their affiliate groups, walking across campus, and when I taught a class designed to orient new students to campus and college. Personal, face-to-face contact builds a stronger culture of caring.”
All universities are essentially living organisms, growing to meet needs as they arise. Having led such organic and intentional change at USI, Bennett understands that well — and she’s proud of how the university evolved under her stewardship.
Be civil. Be kind. Be on time.
Linda Bennett A&S '74, '78, '81
“There was a strong culture of caring on USI’s campus when I arrived; it was an important part of what had attracted me to the institution. I continued to strengthen that culture, even during challenging times. We expanded into more graduate programs, and I encouraged online learning for advanced programs for working adults. Some of that helped USI through the pandemic, but I know much more was required. Crises sometimes kickstart innovations.”
Bennett is in a reflective mood as she prepares to officially become a Golden Bearcat in April, followed by her 47th wedding anniversary in July — she married Dr. Stephen Bennett while she was in graduate school. Armed with the perspective gained that comes from such a successful career where she met an array of challenges and influenced the trajectories of countless people, Bennett has some words of guidance to those still coming up.
“Read widely, outside your field,” she counseled. “Travel to other countries and listen to the people there. Have patience with those who would test you. Never be so desperate to hold onto a job that you do not speak a truth. Then, accept that your truth may be flawed and do not be afraid to change your mind. Be civil. Be kind. Be on time.”
Featured image at top: Linda Bennett greeting USI students. Photo/provided.
About the University of Cincinnati Alumni Association
The UC Alumni Association (UCAA) unites UC’s more than 340,000 alumni worldwide, connecting them to their alma mater and fellow Bearcats. In doing so, UCAA staff and volunteers work to enrich the lifelong alumni experience and ignite passion to transform lives.
Maurice Stewart, A&S '16
Director, Alumni Engagement, Inclusive Excellence
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