Rev. Richard Benson, C.M.
DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois

Father Richard Benson, a member of the Congregation of Mission (Vincentians), has been engaged in seminary formation in the US and Africa (Kenya) for most of his ministry. He holds an MA in biological sciences, and his doctoral research at the University of Louvain, where he earned both the PhD and STD, also incorporated his interest and expertise in scientific topics. As Academic Dean at Saint John’s Seminary in Camarillo (1994-2010), Father Benson was the point person for the development of major grants, including one from the Lilly Endowment. Highly respected as a leader in seminary formation, he was singled out by the Carnegie Foundation for an excellent model of pedagogy for seminarians. He is currently on faculty at DePaul University.