WVU Foundation honors philanthropists

Mimi and George Bennett

George and Camilla "Mimi" Bennett and CONSOL Energy were among the recipients of the West Virginia University Foundation's 2015 Outstanding Philanthropy awards.

The awards, first presented in 2005, were established to honor donors who display exceptional generosity, commitment, leadership and proven records of outstanding civil and charitable devotion to WVU. "We congratulate this year's award winners for their willingness to give in so many ways from financial support to leadership to time and talent," said Cindi Roth, WVU Foundation president and CEO. "They continue to go above and beyond in their commitment and generosity to the University, and have set a standard of excellence for others to model. We honor the recipients with sincere gratitude and a deep appreciation for all they do for WVU."

George and Camilla "Mimi" Bennett, named the Milan Puskar Outstanding Philanthropists, were honored for their history of generosity and loyalty to WVU.

Mr. Bennett has been building innovation-driven businesses for more than 40 years. In 2011, he co-founded Good Measures, LLC, a provider of registered dietician services, and currently serves as its chairman and CEO. A native of Morgantown, Mr. Bennett earned a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from WVU in 1967, and continued his education at Carnegie Mellon University where he earned both his master's and doctorate degrees in industrial administration.

Mr. Bennett served as a member of the Grace Commission in the 1980s, a panel created by former President Ronald Reagan to bring state-of-the-art business practices to federal government. He remains active in Washington in the ongoing health care reform debate.

Mr. Bennett serves, or has served, on the board of directors of a number of organizations, including the Care Continuum Alliance and the National Youth Science Foundation.

Mr. Bennett is a member of WVU's Academy of Distinguished Alumni and WVU Distinguished Alumni Academy of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering. In 2011, he received an honorary degree from WVU. Last year, he was inducted into the West Virginia Business Hall of Fame. Mr. Bennett is a member of the State of Minds National Campaign Committee and the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources Campaign Committee.

Mrs. Bennett's business career began at the Putnam Management Company in the early 1970s and culminated at The Forum Corporation, where she oversaw product development building training programs for business in sales, service, management and leadership.

A graduate of Pine Manor College, Mrs. Bennett co-founded and chaired the board of the Trinity Boston Foundation, whose mission is to change the odds for at risk youth by preparing them for college. She is a member of Golden Seeds, one of the nation's most active early stage investment firms, and is active in her local community.

The Bennett's generous gifts to WVU have primarily benefitted the Statler College and the College of Business & Economics. They are members of the Woodburn Circle Society, the WVU Foundation's highest level of donor recognition.

They reside in Brookline, Mass., and on Martha's Vineyard.

Recognized as the Outstanding Philanthropic Corporation, CONSOL Energy was honored for its charitable giving to WVU and commitment to enhance the areas and people it serves.

A publicly traded producer of natural gas and coal, CONSOL is one of the leading diversified energy companies in the nation. The company is one of the largest independent natural gas exploration, development and production companies, with operations centered in the major shale formations of the Appalachian basin. Its premium coals are sold to electricity generators and steel makers, both domestically and internationally.

Since 1864, CONSOL has powered the nation with affordable, abundant, reliable domestic energy. Today, CONSOL's employees help generate the fuels - natural gas and coal - that comprise two thirds of the nation's power supply. Its energy supports the American way of life by helping deliver electricity 24/7, creating family-sustaining jobs and keeping our nation competitive in the global marketplace.

CONSOL Energy is committed to being a responsible corporate citizen and a good neighbor. The company empowers the communities in which it operates by investing in local organizations, providing educational opportunities, developing partnerships and mobilizing resources to connect people and inspire positive, substantive change. Its corporate giving spans a variety of important causes, including education, public safety, youth organizations, community organizations and arts and culture.

A member of the Foundation's Woodburn Circle Society, CONSOL's contributions to WVU have spanned more than three decades, and benefited many areas including the College of Law, Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources and Athletics.

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