The Gazette

Issue date: 12/2/09 Section: News

Media Credit: photo by Ashley Benson "Butch" poses for the camera in one of his famous bright suits.

If there is one person many students at Langston will never forget after they graduate it is the man who always wore colorful suits and was never seen without a smile on his face: Hardin D. Benjamin, better known as Butch. He could be considered Langston's very own celebrity.

Butch was born Feb. 15, 1942 in Ardmore, Okla. He received his nickname at birth. Butch was raised by both of his parents in Kansas City, Mo. His love for music developed at a young age and he was inspired by Duke Elington, Stan Kenton and several others.

Benjamin entered Langston as a freshman in August 1961 and was a member of the LU Band. Butch played and still plays the saxophone and the clarinet. He also studied other instruments throughout his college career. Butch said he has seen many changes throughout his years here in the band. One of the big transitions, Butch said, was in 1969 when the band went from playing just traditional music to mixing in soul music. After being shown some tough love from one of the instructors, who would always say, "They want to play music but they don't want to play it right," The band was challenged to make soul music sound good.

"I was inspired by a lot of people and excited to play soul so I could move the crowd," Butch said.

Many students have wondered the mystery behind this well known figure at Langston. There have been many rumors and outstanding stories describing the life and experiences Butch has supposedly been through resulting in his long residency in Langston. He said he has no disabilities and no illnesses. After Butch was asked about college experiences he said that none of the rumors were true, particularly the one including him being hurt by fraternity members.

"I never pledged before, I was thinking of pledging Alpha Phi Alpha, but I couldn't because I wouldn't be able to balance it with my school work, I never got hazed, I've never been involved," Butch said.

The only affiliation Butch said he has is with Sigma Gamma Rho as a Romeo in which he was honored in 1986.

Butch's parents died in December of 1992 from illnesses. Butch said the rumors about parent abandonment are completely not true. Butch said he has always had a relationship with his parents and he stayed here because Langston offered him a job after graduation to help pay off school debt.

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