Bennett, A.L.

Biography

Arthur Lawrence Bennett was born June 25, 1905, in Oconto, Wisconsin, son of Andrew A. and Mabel C. (Durand) Bennett. He was married twice, first to Helen M. Bennett, who preceded him in death, and second to Alice Miller. He had two children, Robert B. Bennett, and Jane C. Wierman, and nine grandchildren.

He graduated summa cum laude from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, with an A.B. degree in chemistry in 1927. Bennett earned a doctorate in physiology from the University of Chicago in 1933, and a medical degree from Rush Medical School in Chicago in 1937. His area of specialization was electrophysiology of muscle, nerve, and heart.

Bennett served as an Instructor of Chemistry at Lawrence University from 1927-28. From 1930- 31, he was an Adjunct Professor in Physiology at the University of Texas College of Medicine. In 1934, he came to the University of Nebraska College of Medicine in Omaha, where he served on the faculty for thirty-eight years, until his retirement in 1972. His various appointments included: 1934-36, Assistant Professor, Physiology and Pharmacology; 1937-40, Associate Professor, Physiology and Pharmacology; appointed to the Graduate Faulty in 1938; 1941-67, Professor, Physiology and Pharmacology; 1955-67, Assistant Chairman, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology; 1967-70, Chairman, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology; 1969-72, Professor, School of Nursing; 1970-72, Professor, Department of Physiology; and in 1972, upon his retirement, he was appointed Professor Emeritus, Department of Physiology and Biophysics.

He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa; Sigma XI, an honorary research society; and Alpha Omega Alpha, an honorary medical society. He was active in several professional associations, including the American Physiological Society, Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the American Association of Electromyography and Electrodiagnosis. He earned numerous teaching awards and was recognized by Who's Who in America and American Men of Science. He wrote many scientific articles and abstracts.

Upon his retirement in 1972, Bennett moved to the Colorado Springs, Colorado area. He died there on January 23, 1995. In October 1995, the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) honored Dr. Bennett's long career on the campus by naming the South Laboratory Building (or South Hall) in his honor. Bennett spent the majority of his career at UNMC working in this building, which had been built in 1919. In 2007-08, Bennett Hall was completely renovated to house the UNMC School (later College) of Allied Health Professions.

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