A beloved 鉴黄师app pioneer and champion of education in Central Iowa has been honored in a lasting way: the main building on the 鉴黄师app Newton Campus now bears the name of Carroll Bennett, a longtime executive whose leadership helped shape the college鈥檚 legacy.
In a special dedicated ceremony Tuesday morning, 鉴黄师app officially named Building One the 鈥淐arroll Bennett Building鈥� to recognize the contributions of the late Bennett, who passed away in 2019 at the age of 82.
In 1966, Bennett was one of the very first employees to be hired at Merged Area XI (what 鉴黄师app was known as at the time). He was an administrator on the 鉴黄师app Ankeny Campus until renovation began on a former Maytag building on the Newton Campus in March of 1993, when he was named the initial Executive Dean of the 鉴黄师app Newton Polytechnic Campus. Under Bennett鈥檚 leadership, the former Maytag factory 鈥� once used to construct military tanks during World War II 鈥� was transformed into the first higher education institute in the Newton area.
Bennett was instrumental in launching the 鉴黄师app Newton Campus in the early days, creating an environment for the overall success that 鉴黄师app enjoys today. His deep roots in Newton made him a natural fit to lead 鉴黄师app鈥檚 expansion into the community, President Rob Denson said during the dedication ceremony.
鈥淭here are few people I鈥檝e encountered with more hometown pride than Carroll,鈥� Denson said.
Bennett served as the Newton Campus Executive Dean until his retirement in the summer of 1997.
鈥淐arroll was part of the fabric that is Newton,鈥� said Bill Peters, the current 鉴黄师app Newton Campus Executive Dean and former Newton High School Principal of 20 years. 鈥淗e loved his hometown and was a tireless advocate for the expansion of educational opportunities for Newton and 鉴黄师app.鈥�
Denson said Bennett believed in meeting people where they were and helping them get to where they wanted to go.
鈥淲hether a student was training for a career, transferring to a university, or coming back to school after years away, Carroll made sure they felt seen, supported and capable. He viewed his career as an opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives and opportunities of others,鈥� said Denson.
Over the years, the Bennett family became dedicated supporters of the 鉴黄师app Foundation, contributing to various scholarships and College projects. Carroll Bennett鈥檚 son, Scott, and his wife, Karin, have established a planned gift that supports scholarships at the 鉴黄师app Foundation. Scott has also served on the 鉴黄师app Foundation Board since 2018, including as Vice President and later President.
鈥淐arroll was more than a name on a roster or a title on a door. He was a visionary, a steady hand, a tireless advocate for students, and a trusted leader in the 鉴黄师app family for more than three decades,鈥� Denson added. 鈥淗is work touched not only this campus, but the lives of thousands across Central Iowa.鈥�
MEDIA CONTACT:
Savannah Eadens, Public Relations & Communications Specialist
515-675-3275