Sidney Bennett ’28
10/05/1971
Memorial minute for Sidney Bennett offered by Dean Winton Tolles
Sidney Bennett graduated from Hamilton College in the Class of 1928. His classmates remember him for many things, but in particular with envy that in his senior year, when curricular restrictions were far more restrictive than they are today, Sid somehow managed to carry exclusively courses in English literature. He also gained the admiration of his fellows by emerging relatively unscathed from a bout with President Ferry over the alleged illegal possession of an automobile on the campus.
After graduation, Sid entered the business world. Shortly after, when President Cowley was looking for a man to serve as his assistant, Wally Johnson made the happy suggestion of Sid Bennett. An offer was made and swiftly accepted. Thus Sid came to Hamilton as Assistant to the President in 1939. In 1941 he was named Secretary of Admissions. When he retired in June of 1971, he had served in this position with distinction for thirty years.
For a number of years Sid was Hamilton’s representative on the College Entrance Examination Board and was an effective member of many of its committees. In another area, Sid was instrumental in founding an informal group composed of a number of admissions officers from colleges similar to Hamilton and appropriately self-christened “The Expendables.” This group has been effective in developing cooperation among the colleges and improving policies pertaining to admission and financial aid.
Among these expendables, in the wider circle of the CEEB, and with admissions officers in general, the name of Sidney Bennett commanded genuine respect. To these men and women Sid stood consistently for the highest standards of decency and fair play in an area where chicanery is not unknown. On the campus, symbol of student appreciation for his services was his election in 1968 as an honorary member of Pentagon.
Colleagues with whom Sid worked most closely regard him with affection and respect. The fine qualities which he displayed in the unenviable position as Secretary of Admissions are too many by far to catalogue in total. One such quality certainly was the tolerance, patience, and understanding which he consistently displayed in his dealings with candidates, parents, alumni, and the admissions committee. This never emerged more clearly than at the committee’s round-up sessions when final decisions on acceptance were made. Among the committee members tempers flared and acrimonious debate was common, but always before long the patience, wisdom, and guidance of Chairman Sid restored order, if not complete peace.
As Secretary of Admissions Sid always sought to maintain the highest standards for Hamilton and never compromised these standards regardless of the pressures he had to face. At the same time, he never operated mechanically by rigid objective measurements. He was always alert to recognize the unusual student. To this end he sought always to have as members of the admissions committee those with varied approaches to the evaluation of students. He actively sought men who would challenge his opinions and he respected dissent.
The deep and abiding respect held by those faculty members with whom Sid worked most closely is perhaps the greatest tribute to him. Familiarity did not at all breed contempt. To the contrary it bred tribute, confidence and admiration. A former Dean of Hamilton may well have summed up the feelings of all who have known Sid with the words, “Above all else, Sid is a true gentleman whom all must respect and admire.”
In recognition of Sid’s services to Hamilton College, be it moved that this testimonial be entered upon the minutes of the Faculty and that copies be forwarded to him and to his immediate family.
The motion was seconded and carried.
