Benson Leroy Dutton papers

Benson Dutton, the first African American graduate of the College of Engineering, received his bachelor of science degree in Civil Engineering in 1933. He had a lifetime of outstanding achievement and leadership in three professions - engineering, education and government service. In 1933, Mr. Dutton worked as a civil engineer in Philadelphia. Later he was a project engineer for the Civilian Conservation Corps in the Gettysburg National Military Park. In 1940, he became an assistant professor in engineering at Hampton Institute. There, he was instructor-in-charge of engineering fundamentals for the Naval Training Station and successfully organized and taught classes integrated racially and by gender. In 1948, Mr. Dutton joined the Tennessee State University as a professor and from 1950 to 1956, served as the first Dean of the School of Engineering. In 1949, he received a professional degree in Civil Engineering from Penn State. He returned to Philadelphia as chief design engineer of bridges and was engineer of record for the Spring Garden Street Bridges. In 1965, Mr. Dutton joined the U.S. Office of Education. He became Director of Federally Assisted Construction in the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare in 1970. Mr. Dutton was a fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers and was named a 1971 Distinguished Alumnus, the highest Penn State Alumni award. After retirement, he was active in several civic and professional organizations and worked on a historical project with the Naval Historical Center in the Washington Navy Yard. Benson Dutton died in January 1992.