Dean of the College of Mathematics, Science, Technology, and Health

Kentucky State University
400 East Main St.
Carver Hall 135
Frankfort, KY 40601
E-mail: charles.bennett@kysu.edu charles.bennett@kysu.edu
Phone: 502.597.5977

Charles "Chuck" Bennett was born and raised in southwestern New York State.  Following high school, his family relocated to Florida, where he attended Stetson University, earning a B.S. degree in physics, followed  by an M.A. degree in physics from Wake Forest University.  Joining the "space race" in the late sixties, he spent six years training Apollo and Skylab astronauts as their flight data file manager, developing and verifying flight procedures used to meet mission objectives.  He participated in the aborted lunar mission, Apollo 13, where his personal memorabilia, scheduled to be left on the moon, were successfully used in constructing a carbon dioxide removal‑system which aided in the safe return of the astronauts to earth.

Following his stint with NASA, Dr. Bennett left the aerospace industry and pursued his first career dream ‑ to become a teacher.  He was accepted into the doctoral program in physiology at the University of Kentucky, where he completed his degree work in 1981.  His dissertation examined The Chronic Effects of Tobacco Smoke Exposure on Arterial Blood Pressure Regulation.

While a graduate student at UK, he was invited to teach a course in physiology at Kentucky State University, and joined the faculty full time the following year (1977).  He has taught Life Science to non majors, Modern Topics in Biology, Principles of Biology, Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Human Physiology and Physics for Biology Majors.  For over eight years he also taught Foundations of Culture (IGS 200), a component of the liberal studies requirements at Kentucky State.  He has been the biology education advisor and currently coordinates the BIO 410 course, Special Problems in Biology.

He has served on numerous committees throughout his employment at the university, including leadership positions on the Faculty Senate and the University Tenure and Promotion Committee.   He recently finished his third (and last) term as the elected faculty representative on the Kentucky State University Board of Regents.  In January 2005, he was appointed to the position of Dean of the College of Mathematics, Science, Technology, and Health at Kentucky State.

Dr. Bennett has been involved in securing extramural funding from federal sources in order to train faculty members in the development of multimedia materials for the classroom and laboratory.  He also has been active in assisting in the development and expansion of the math and science computer laboratory located in Carver Hall.  He has published scientific papers on the effects of exercise on blood pressure regulation, and has coordinated a summer program at Kentucky State University designed to introduce eighth and ninth grade students to health careers opportunities.  This summer program was recently selected as the best summer program of its type in North America. 

He has taught in the Governor’s Scholars Program in Kentucky, and is presently a member of the governing Board of the local soup kitchen and men’s shelter for the homeless of Frankfort and Franklin County.  He lives in Frankfort with his wife Theresa (a KSU graduate) and their canine friends, Sadie and Brandy. Dr. Bennett enjoys outdoor activities, hiking, reading, and travel.

The Dean’s office is in Carver Hall 135, phone number 597-5977.  Please contact him if he can help you as you work and study at Kentucky State.