1903-1982; UND Department of Chemistry and Division of Continuing Education, 1940-1969

Gustafson, Ben G. (1903-1982)

Ben G. Gustafson was born on September 8, 1903, in Foxholm, North Dakota. He graduated from Turtle Lake High School in June 1920, and then continued his education at Jamestown College, Jamestown, North Dakota, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1926. He served as the Superintendent of Schools in several North Dakota communities: Cleveland (1926-28), Steele (1928-30), and Linton (1930-38). In 1938, Gustafson began his college teaching career at the State School of Forestry at Bottineau, North Dakota. Two years later he transferred to the University of North Dakota, where he taught chemistry. From 1957 to 1964, he served as Director of the General Extension Division on Continuing Education. During this time period Gustafson was active in establishing branch centers of the University of Williston and Ellendale, North Dakota. In 1969, he resigned as Dean of the Division of Continuing Education and remained active in community and state affairs. After his resignation, he served as Coordinator of Research and Development for the Division of Continuing Education and held positions in senior citizens organizations, the American Association of Retired Persons, the Governor's Committee on Aging, North Dakota Council on Extension, North Dakota Economic Development Commission, North Dakota Council on Human Resources, and as a State Senator from Grand Forks. Ben G. Gustafson married Ruth Louise Corell on July 18, 1928, and they had two children. He died on November 9, 1982, in Grand Forks, North Dakota. In May 1980, the refurnished Phi Delta Theta building on the University of North Dakota campus was dedicated in honor of Gustafson.