Alumni icons Jack Benz, Fannie Hewlett & Betty Wiseman recognized for achievements in service, academics, athletics
Betty Wiseman, Jack Benz, Fannie Hewlett
Belmont University announced today that its newest residence hall will be named for legendary athletics pioneer Betty Wiseman, while two existing facilities will be renamed to honor alumni icons Jack Benz and Dr. Fannie Hewlett for their achievements in service, academics and athletics.
The institution’s newest residence hall –– a 718-bed facility currently under construction and known as Caldwell II –– will open in August 2025 as Betty Wiseman Hall.
The building honors Betty "Belmont Betty" Wiseman, a pioneering force in women's collegiate athletics who founded Belmont's Women's Basketball program in 1968, one of the first collegiate women's teams and four years before Title IX. After graduating from Belmont in 1965, Wiseman joined faculty as an instructor of physical education and health. With determination and limited resources, she established a basketball program built on dedication and excellence, creating a legacy that still influences Belmont athletics today. Beyond the court, Wiseman's impact extends globally through her creation of Belmont's Sports Ministry program, which has enabled hundreds of student-athletes to serve abroad and to connect such service to faith. Her dedication as a trailblazer, educator and servant leader continues to shape the Bruins’ athletic programs and inspire new generations of student-athletes. Her contributions to athletics have been widely recognized through her induction into both the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and Belmont University Athletics Hall of Fame, with an upcoming 2025 induction into the Missouri Valley Conference Hall of Fame.
In addition to the new Wiseman Hall, two existing residence halls will be renamed to honor distinguished alumni who have shaped Belmont's legacy.
Belmont will rename the 10-story Tall Hall as Jack Benz Hall, recognizing 1955 Belmont College graduate Jack Benz, whose dedication to the University spans seven decades. Located on the campus’ southeast quadrant, the 610-bed facility sits atop a hill between 12th and 15th Avenues South, allowing it to be spotted from numerous points across Nashville.
After completing his business administration degree and service in the U.S. Army, Benz built a successful 50-year career in the insurance industry while maintaining strong ties to his alma mater. A student basketball player at Belmont, Benz continues to support athletics and can often be found courtside at both home and away games, alongside his wife Noroma. A longtime trustee, his ongoing commitment to the University includes service now as a trustee emeritus, where he has helped guide Belmont's growth and development. A lifelong Tennessean and Nashville native, Benz exemplifies the lasting connection between Belmont and its alumni through his continued presence and support of University initiatives.
Located near the corner of Caldwell and 12th Avenues, the 606-bed Caldwell I will become Fannie Hewlett Hall in honor of Dr. Fannie Hewlett, Belmont College's first African American graduate who earned her Bachelor of Science in psychology and English in 1970.
Hewlett’s journey to Belmont began with a simple brochure found in her mailbox in Bay Minette, Alabama, leading her to travel 420 miles to Nashville sight unseen — a decision that would mark the beginning of an extraordinary academic career. After Belmont, Dr. Hewlett went on to earn advanced degrees from Fisk University and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, ultimately rising through the ranks at Chattanooga State Community College from instructor to department head to dean and eventually becoming the institution's first Provost and serving as interim president. Her achievements and dedication to higher education exemplify the pioneering spirit and commitment to excellence that Belmont seeks to inspire in all students.
"These three alumni icons exemplify the transformative power of the Belmont experience," said President Greg Jones. "From Jack Benz's decades of passionate service to Dr. Hewlett's pioneering courage that opened new doors, and Betty Wiseman's revolutionary impact on women's athletics and sports ministry –– each has left an indelible mark on our institution. Their stories of purpose, dedication and service will continue to shape our community, inspiring future generations of Belmont students who will call these residence halls home."
A dedication ceremony will take place during Belmont's 2025 Homecoming Weekend at 3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 22, in the Beaman Student Life Center.