On Sept. 28, 2011 the former Education Arts Building was dedicated to former Bemidji State President M. James “Jim” Bensen. After the unexpected death of former President Les Duly and the brief interim presidency of Linda L. Baer, James Bensen was selected as the President of Bemidji State University by unanimous vote on July 1, 1994. President Bensen was the eighth permanent president of the university.

Bensen was born on April 8, 1937 in Erskine, Minnesota. He graduated from Bemidji State University with a degree in Industrial Education and Physical Education. He then went on to the University of Wisconsin-Stout to pursue his Master’s degree in Industrial Education, Administration, Supervision, and Curriculum. Bensen received his doctorate from Pennsylvania State University in Curriculum, Administration, and Educational Development in 1967. Prior to serving Bemidji State University, Bensen served as president at Dunwoody Institute, a private, non-profit school in Minneapolis. He had also served as the Dean of the School of Industry and Technology at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. James Bensen served Bemidji State University as president for seven years, until he retired in July 2001. After retiring, he became President Emeritus and continues to support STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programs.

Bensen Hall was built in 1950 as the Laboratory School and is now the home to faculty, department and program offices for Nursing, Criminal Justice, Professional Education and Clinical Experiences; classrooms; study rooms; Professional Education laboratories, including a computer lab; libraries; workrooms; and Child Development Training Program (CDTP).

Bensen Hall is set to receive renovations of the entire professional education faculty area, a renovated space to accommodate relocated psychology and social work programs to include faculty offices, labs, workrooms and student lounges, and a new conference room and student work area.