An inauguration ceremony was held Thursday for Chad W. Benson at Morningside University in Sioux City.
After first serving as interim president beginning in June 2025, Benson was tapped to become the 14th president in Morningside history in March 2026.
Benson graduated from Morningside University in 1990 and is one of three alumni to serve as president of the institution.
Morningside University Board of Directors member John Steele told Benson, “You are the right leader at the right time” to guide the college into the future.
Amid a ceremony with academic regalia and music, Benson thanked people who prepped him along his life journey.
Benson said being a student at Morningside and serving in university leadership has been very fulfilling, and he has been inspired by legacy and driven by conviction.
In recent months, Benson led the acquisition of St. Luke’s College which expanded healthcare programs, and oversaw plans to boost operational efficiency. In June, he was prominent in a ceremony as Morningside University officials broke ground for Honeck Freymann Hall, which will be the future home of the Rosen School of Business.
This is also homecoming week at Morningside, which crescendos with a series of activities on Saturday.
