Remembering a Visionary: Peter Benson
Peter L. Benson, president and CEO of Minneapolis-based Search Institute, passed away on October 2. He was 65. Benson, one of the world’s leading authorities on positive human development, was "a visionary who years ago pondered the question: 'Why do we always ask what is wrong with kids? Why don't we ask what is right about kids?'" as Karen Atkinson wrote in an obituary in the St. Louis Park Patch.
Dr. Benson’s international reputation in human development emerged in the 1990s through his innovative, research-based framework of Developmental Assets —40 resources, relationships and characteristics all kids need.
The 40 Assets are among the most widely recognized approaches to positive youth development in the United States and the world. His vision, research, and public voice have inspired a sea change in research, practice, and policy. Dr. Benson’s work has inspired and guided more than 600 community-based initiatives in 45 states and every Canadian province, and on six continents. The approach has been embraced by most national youth-serving systems and is embedded in the curriculum in numerous colleges and universities. It influences state and national public policy in education, juvenile justice, public health, substance abuse prevention and other youth-related fields.
Search Institute, with Dr. Benson at the helm, is an active member of the Ready by 21 National Partnership, which works in communities across the country to help leaders work differently and work together to ensure all children are ready for college, work and life.
Dr. Benson is the author of 15 books and more than 100 articles and chapters in scientific journals, and served as a columnist for the trade publication, Youth Today. His book, What Kids Need to Succeed has sold more than 800,000 copies. All Kids are Our Kids, now in its second edition, establishes the scientific base for the taxonomy of Developmental Assets. His book on adolescent thriving, Sparks: How Parents Can Help Ignite the Hidden Strengths of Teenagers, was published in October, 2008 by Jossey-Bass.
We at SparkAction are privileged to have worked with and known Dr. Benson, and as we mourn his passing we also celebrate his tremendous contribution to the field and to the well-being of children and young people. Our thoughts are with his family and colleagues.
You can read more about his life and work, and read a touching obituary in the St. Louis Park Patch.
Please share your thoughts, stories and remembrances in the comment section below. Together, we will do our best to carry on Dr. Benson's truly impressive legacy.
Kris Moore
I worked with Peter on several projects and found him to be an incredibly good and decent person and someone with both a vision and a passion -- his own spark. We will have to carry on, not just in his honor but because he really had it right.
October 5 at 08:48pm
Patrick Boyle, Forum FYI
I met Peter only a couple of times, as editor of Youth Today, and what struck me most was how fun he was. I edited his columns for years and admired his thinking, but in person I appreciated his energy and humor.
- Patrick Boyle, Communications Director, Forum for Youth Investment
October 5 at 10:56am
rob@forumfyi.org
For 15 years, I had been involved in several districts which effectively used the 40 developmental assets as a tool to improve academic, social, and emotional outcomes for children, youth and families. So it certainly was exciting for me in 2009 to attend the SEARCH/Ready by 21 conference. I didn’t know Peter before the conference, so was kind of shocked to see the larger than life standing pictures of Peter Benson – Frankly I was thinking it was a little weird.
That was until he spoke. He was, in fact, larger than life. Peter succinctly focused on what the youth serving community and parents can easily do to make a huge difference in the lives of kids. At one point during the conference, we found ourselves walking together and entered into a deep assets talk. But what stuck out for me was the way he made me feel. We were a team and I was valued… just for being a human. Later in the conference, we were at a table group together and I watched how he valued people, made them feel whole, and pulled the best from everyone.
Peter Benson was obviously one of those people who brightens up any space he is in and everyone is improved and warmed by his presence. He also gave a gift to thousands of communities and schools, as well as countless youth, families, and educators. He is an inspiration to me.
October 5 at 10:29am
