Andrew K. Benton

Andrew K. Benton (born c. 1952) is an American lawyer and academic administrator who served as the seventh president of Pepperdine University and as an interim president at the University of Central Oklahoma.

Early life Benton was born in Lawrence, Kansas. He graduated from Oklahoma Christian University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in American Studies in 1974, and he earned a J.D. from Oklahoma City University.

Career Benton began his career as a lawyer in Oklahoma.

Benton joined Pepperdine University in 1984. When Jim Gash succeeded him in 2019, Benton took on the role of president emeritus. A road on the university's Malibu campus was renamed Benton Way in honor of his service to the university.

While serving at Pepperdine, Benton was also named the vice chair, and later the chair, of the board of directors of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU).

Personal life With his wife Deborah, Benton has a son and a daughter. He is a member of the Churches of Christ.