Bennett, Henry Garland, 1886-1951

Educator and government official.

Henry G. Bennett was born on December 14, 1886, in Nevada County, Arkansas. He was the President of Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College from 1928 to 1951. He was an Administrator for the Technical Cooperation Administration from 1950 to 1951. He died on December 22, 1951.

Henry Garland Bennett (1886-1951) was born in Nevada County, Ark. Bennett graduated from Ouachita College with a B.A. in 1907. Later he earned an M.A. from the University of Oklahoma and a Ph. D. from Columbia University. Bennett taught and served as president of Southeastern State Teachers College in Durant, Okla. In 1928 he became president of Oklahoma A & M College. Bennett announced a 25 year plan for OAMC in 1930, much of which was completed in 23 years. In 1950 President Truman named Bennett the Assistant Secretary of State and Administrator of the Technical Cooperation Administration, or Point Four Program. While traveling overseas for this program, Bennett, his wife and three staff members died in a plane crash.

Founded December 1890 as Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical (A & M) College; officially became Oklahoma State University in 1957.