Benson University Center

Benson University Center is a major hub of student life. Opened in 1990 and made possible by generous gifts, Benson’s main purpose is to enhance the campus life of Wake Forest University. Named after Clifton L. Benson, Sr., it is home to many student organizations (Student Union, Campus Life, WakeRadio, The Old Gold & Black newspaper, and The Howler yearbook are just a few) as well as a food court. The Intercultural, Women’s, and LGBTQ centers are also housed in Benson and are a mark of Wake Forest University’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. The Benson University Center hosts numerous events throughout the year such as aWAKE All Night and the Student Union Film Series.

There are two more notable areas of Benson Center that serve to enhance the campus community. Those areas are Pugh Auditorium and Shorty’s restaurant. Pugh Auditorium was funded by Watson and Frances Pugh, and serves a variety of purposes. It was named in honor of the late Mr. and Mrs. Hollis W. Plimpton and Eric W. Pugh. The auditorium is used for information sessions, conference gatherings, and Student Union movie viewings and seats 285 people. The on­-campus Shorty’s is named after a popular student eatery/hangout in Wake Forest, NC which is still open. For a time, there was not a cafeteria on Old Campus so students ate at boarding houses or restaurants in town.