Alice Naomi Benston

Alice embodied a passion for the arts with pragmatic strength and visions that got things done - got people to come together and create. Our paths crossed mostly in administrative work and whenever they did, I felt welcomed and learned from her. Sharing our ILA degrees, we felt kinship, but it was her warmth toward me, her interest in what I was doing, the kindness of a wave across campus or a shared shout-out about some recent theatre event or class, that encouraged me to call her a friend, an honor. She combined great intelligence with sharp wit and generosity in action.