Published: June 13, 2019

CU President Bruce D. Benson.

President Bruce Benson. (Photo by Glenn J. Asakawa/University of Colorado)

The Center for Western Civilization, Thought & Policy, long championed by CU President Bruce Benson, is changing its name this summer in honor of his support, Regent Sue Sharkey announced Thursday. 

The center’s executive committee will vote on and approve the official name change.

Thanks in part to the newly created Bruce D. Benson Legacy Endowment Fund, the center plans to double in size over the coming years. The fund has already accumulated more than $13 million in gifts.

Founded in 2006, the Center for Western Civilization, Thought & Policy has promoted critical reflection on the traditions and political perspectives that characterize Western civilization. Its aim is to promote a lively and balanced conversation that respects both conservative and liberal ideals in order to foster diversity of political, economic and philosophical perspectives on the CU Boulder campus.

The center also houses the visiting scholar in Conservative Thought and Policy program, which doubled in size in the 2018-19 academic year, and has consistently advocated diverse thinking across campus.