Central College’s Office of Advancement announces the promotion of Mary Benedict to director of engagement in the newly formed engagement and events team.
In this role, Benedict will oversee planning special on-campus events such as Homecoming, Scholarship Dinner, Hoo-Rah Day and Commencement. In addition, she will organize educational and social alumni events. She will be responsible for strategic execution and management of a comprehensive engagement program including alumni and other external constituents such as community, parents, volunteers and donors.
“Mary naturally steps into the leadership for engagement and events at Central,” says Sunny Gonzales Eighmy, vice president for advancement and a 1999 graduate of Central. “Her connections with alumni and her warm personality create an excellent culture to welcome guests to campus and Central events.”
Benedict began working at Central in 2002 as the campus visit coordinator in the admission office. She met most incoming first-year students for five years. These relationships have served her well as she moved to the advancement office and worked with alumni relations.
At Central, she has held several positions, most recently the assistant director of annual giving and alumni engagement. Benedict is credited with helping launch and sustain the Central RED Society for the past 10 years.
Benedict earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Bellevue University in Nebraska. She worked in the alumni office at William and Mary before returning to the Midwest. Many students, alumni and faculty know Benedict as the spouse of Russell Benedict, professor of biology. They are the parents of Sarah Benedict Gaalaas, Central Class of 2008, and Emily Benedict, Class of 2018.