A beloved DMACC pioneer and champion of education in Central Iowa has been honored in a lasting way: the main building on the DMACC Newton Campus now bears the name of Carroll Bennett, a longtime executive whose leadership helped shape the college’s legacy.
In a special dedicated ceremony Tuesday morning, DMACC officially named Building One the “Carroll Bennett Building” 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 DMACC was known as at the time). He was an administrator on the DMACC 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 DMACC Newton Polytechnic Campus. Under Bennett’s leadership, the former Maytag factory – once used to construct military tanks during World War II – was transformed into the first higher education institute in the Newton area.
Bennett was instrumental in launching the DMACC Newton Campus in the early days, creating an environment for the overall success that DMACC enjoys today. His deep roots in Newton made him a natural fit to lead DMACC’s expansion into the community, President Rob Denson said during the dedication ceremony.
“There are few people I’ve encountered with more hometown pride than Carroll,” Denson said.
Bennett served as the Newton Campus Executive Dean until his retirement in the summer of 1997.
“Carroll was part of the fabric that is Newton,” said Bill Peters, the current DMACC Newton Campus Executive Dean and former Newton High School Principal of 20 years. “He loved his hometown and was a tireless advocate for the expansion of educational opportunities for Newton and DMACC.”
Denson said Bennett believed in meeting people where they were and helping them get to where they wanted to go.
“Whether 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,” said Denson.
Over the years, the Bennett family became dedicated supporters of the DMACC Foundation, contributing to various scholarships and College projects. Carroll Bennett’s son, Scott, and his wife, Karin, have established a planned gift that supports scholarships at the DMACC Foundation. Scott has also served on the DMACC Foundation Board since 2018, including as Vice President and later President.
“Carroll 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 DMACC family for more than three decades,” Denson added. “His work touched not only this campus, but the lives of thousands across Central Iowa.”
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