In April 2025, the University of Georgia officially renamed the Center for International Trade and Security to the Benson-Bertsch Center for International Trade and Security (BBCITS). The naming was made possible through a generous gift from the Ed and Robin Benson Foundation in memory of Howard Edsel “Ed” Benson, and in tribute to Gary Bertsch, the founding director of the Center. The naming of the center also establishes a lasting endowment that will provide ongoing support for BBCITS students, faculty, staff, and programming—ensuring that its mission of advancing global security and leadership will thrive for generations to come.
In a conversation with students from the Center, Dr. Gary Bertsch and Mrs. Robin Benson shared memories, milestones, and their hopes for the future of the Center they helped shape.
The discussion, moderated by students Mikayla Lachowicz, Larissa Lozano, Anvika Menon, and Mark Zimmer, offered a glimpse into the personal and professional journey behind one of SPIA’s most impactful institutions.
Anvika: Can you share with us your vision when you founded the Center?
Dr. Bertsch:
“The idea came to me after spending a year as a Fulbright professor in England. I was teaching and doing research at a university there, and I was affiliated with a Center that brought together scholars and practitioners to address real-world problems. I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be great to have something like this at the University of Georgia?’ So I came back, talked to the university president and a few others, and proposed the idea. They said, ‘It’s a great idea, but we don’t have any money or space.’ I said, ‘Don’t worry about that—we’ll just get it started on our own.’ My office was in the attic of old Baldwin Hall, before it was renovated. For the first three years, that attic was the Center. The vision was to bring together great students and faculty to bridge the gap between academic research and the real world. What you all are part of now has far surpassed anything I imagined back then.”
Larissa: How did you become aware of the Center and what made you want to get involved?
Mrs. Benson:
“Around 1990, Ed and I were involved in an alumni seminar—right around the time of the Soviet Union’s collapse. We got acquainted with Gary and liked what he was saying and the people he was bringing to campus. So we stuck with it. It wasn’t a formal decision—it just happened gradually. Ed would be absolutely delighted if he could see what this has become.”
Mark: What do you think have been the most significant changes in its near 40-year history?
Dr. Bertsch:
“The biggest change has been the integration of research, teaching, and service missions of the university into the Center. When we started, we had parts of that, but we couldn’t bring it all together the way it’s done now. Today, we involve undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty from across disciplines—including engineering and others—in a truly cooperative, multidisciplinary enterprise. The world is changing rapidly, and the Center is keeping up with it by involving students like you, who are in the best position to follow and shape that change.”
Mikayla: What does it mean to you to have your family name associated with a Center that prepares future leaders in areas like U.S. national security, human security, and energy security?
Mrs. Benson:
“A lot of people in the community knew my husband and knew about Benson’s Fruit Cakes. But Ed would be just delighted to be at this table today. He was a remarkable man and one of my mentors. He believed in service above self, and he saw the potential in bringing university knowledge to the world. I think he’d be proud of what this Center stands for.”
Anvika: What was CITS’s greatest impact during your days as the founder/leader of CITS?
Dr. Bertsch:
“There are two moments that stand out. First, in the early ’90s, we hosted a conference on Soviet economic reform. It was covered in Pravda, the Soviet Union’s top newspaper. That told us we could be a player internationally—even though we were just a one-room office in Baldwin Hall.
The second was after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Senator Sam Nunn invited us to help address the proliferation of nuclear weapons and dual-use technologies. We worked in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan—places that had inherited Soviet weapons. We helped set up training Centers and programs to prevent the spread of dangerous technologies. And you know what? Despite all the bad news in the world, one thing hasn’t happened: those weapons didn’t spread. That’s something we helped prevent. It was the most important impact we’ve had.”
Larissa: What do you hope students take away from their time at the Center—not just academically, but personally?
Mrs. Benson:
“I look at things differently than the experts in this field, but I’d say the personal side of your experiences here is just as important as the professional. Don’t forget to reach out to people—offer to be their friend. Learn from others. I still have handwritten notes that remind me how meaningful relationships are. Friendships that go beyond our jobs—that’s what makes this work special.”
Mark: Looking back on the many speakers and events that BBCITS has hosted, do you have any favorites?
Dr. Bertsch:
“There are too many to count, but one that stands out is when we hosted Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei, Director of the IAEA, for our 20th anniversary. He and his wife stayed in Athens for a few days and were just wonderful people. We also had a program with Senator Sam Nunn and others at the Georgia Center, and after the event, Jane Wilson approached me and asked, ‘Could your Center use a million dollars?’ Within a month, she had written a check. That endowment still supports students today.”
Mikayla: What advice would you give to BBCITS students as they begin their careers in security?
Mrs. Benson:
“Take risks. If a door or window opens, climb out and try it—even if it’s not what you thought you’d be doing. You never know where it might lead.”
Dr. Bertsch:
“Prepare yourself and be bold. When opportunities come, be ready to serve. Find mentors—good ones—and don’t hesitate to ask for guidance. Even if someone says no, they’ll feel honored that you asked. And always have more than one mentor. You’re doing the right things, and you’re being guided by people who care deeply about your success.”
Anvika: What is your vision for the Benson-Bertsch Center over the next decade and beyond?
Dr. Bertsch:
“To keep doing what it’s doing—preparing young people to serve the world. We live in a dangerous and unpredictable time. We need your generation to bring knowledge, understanding, and respect to global challenges. I’ve taught in China, worked in Russia, and traveled across Europe and South America. Everywhere I’ve gone, I’ve seen the need for thoughtful, well-prepared leaders. That’s what this Center is about.”
