Stephen Benson, Director of the Purchasing, Service Center and Postal Services at West Virginia Wesleyan College, was recognized in The State Journal’s first edition of Generation Next. Generation Next is a group of 40 West Virginians all under the age of 40 who have exhibited leadership qualities in their communities.

Benson, a Buckhannon native, is a 1996 Wesleyan graduate with a bachelor degree in music education. He currently is pursuing a master’s degree in higher education administration at West Virginia University.

Benson, who has served in his current role at Wesleyan for 10 years, has also been an active part of the Buckhannon community. He is the president of the West Virginia Strawberry Festival serving on the board for the past six years, is employed as music director at First United Methodist Church of Buckhannon, and is a mayoral appointee as one of three Police Civil Service commissioners, helping interview and test police officers for the city of Buckhannon.

Benson and his wife, Christy, live in Buckhannon and expect to travel to China in July to adopt a baby girl.