In 1980, Richard King became the first African-American Faculty Member. 2020, a former graduate organized a petition drive to rename the Benson auditorium because of Benson's racist views. The petition also asked that the auditorium carry the name of Botham Jean instead, a recent Black alumnus who had been shot and killed in his own apartment by a white Dallas police officer who alleged she had confused their apartments and mistaken the 26-year-old for a burglar. Upon review, and against the wishes of the Black Student Association, the university, under the leadership of Bruce McLarty, defended Benson and chose to retain the name. However, President McClarty recognized the University had no buildings or landmarks on campus that recognized Black Alumni and promised some sort of memorial to Botham Jean within a year. Facing this controversy, the Covid 19 pandemic, challenges facing many private colleges in the United States and a 23% decline in enrollment over 5 years, the board dismissed McClarty, with former President David Burks resuming control.)