Unfulfilled by his successful career in business, a 47-year-old Nashville man seized an opportunity to finally pursue a lifelong passion, after passing it up during his college days, in favor of something more ‘practical’.
Now 47, Wilt is on track to graduate in May 2025 at age 48 with a Bachelor of Architecture,
Nashville native T.J. Wilt always had a passion for architecture, dating back to sixth grade when an inspirational art teacher had the class draw floor plans. But when it came time for college, Wilt pursued the expected path, earning a finance degree from Belmont University in 1999 followed by an MBA, and building a career in business.
Architecture remained an unfulfilled dream, until the pandemic prompted a reevaluation.
When the pandemic hit in 2020, it upended lives and prompted deep self-reflection for many, including Wilt. Faced with personal changes and dissatisfied with his corporate finance job, the father of three teenage boys decided it was time to finally chase his architectural aspirations.
“COVID made us all kind of take a step back and say, what’s this all about? What’s life all about?” Wilt said in a University news release. “I took that opportunity. I was like, you know what, I’m gonna go back and follow this passion that I’ve had forever.”
Discovering that his alma mater Belmont had just launched an architecture program, Wilt jumped at the chance to change his life. The Adult Degree Program provided a 40% tuition discount and credit for prior coursework, so he dove in headfirst, enrolling in the Fall of 2020.
He found kinship with a handful of “second degree seekers” in his class, and with other adult learners in the program—like Tess and Kim who’ve also made bold career changes in their 30s.
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“Kim, Tess and I were immediately lumped in together and I was thankful for that,” Wilt said. “We’ve all had career switches and we’ve all come back.”
A Role Model for His Sons
For Wilt, this second act is about more than just professional fulfillment. It’s about demonstrating to his sons that it’s never too late to courageously pursue one’s passions in life.
“My boys…to show them it’s never too late to follow a passion, it’s never too late to be happy,” Wilt said. “That was a big piece of it for me.”
Currently co-owner of a local outdoor retailer, Cumberland Transit, Wilt is making it work by structuring his small businesses to allow him to focus on his studies—and the future.
Designing the Future
“I’m not worried about when I graduate…I’m not worried about 20-30 more years of work. I have no plans to stop.”
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Wilt relishes being part of history within Belmont’s first architecture graduating class and he’s grown close with his professors, including Katherine Kennon, as they shape the program’s future.
“We are all building the future of the program together, which is a priceless experience for me.”
Looking ahead, Wilt is excited to explore his love of mid-century modern design and sustainable housing—especially using shipping containers. But, while he dreams of designing timeless residential projects, his recent studies have also cultivated an appreciation for commercial architecture.
“I don’t want to build anything that’s going to be torn down in the next 10 years. I want something, whatever I build, I want to have people look at and say, ‘oh, that’s gonna stay there for the next 100 years, 200 years.’”
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When Wilt dons his cap and gown next spring, he’ll be realizing a childhood dream deferred but never forgotten. He’ll be showing his boys—and himself—that happiness and purpose are always within reach, at any stage of life, with a little faith and hard work.
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