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| • Department of Aviation Technology |
October 14, 2004
Alum's gift lifts Purdue aviation technology sky-high
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – A Purdue University alumnus today (Thursday, Oct. 14) pledged $3 million toward a new aviation technology building and renovation of another historic classroom/office building where Amelia Earhart hangared her plane at the Purdue Airport.
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Scott M. Niswonger, of Greeneville, Tenn., an air cargo executive, announced the gift and issued a challenge to his alma mater to raise the rest of the $6 million for the project.
The announcement is part of a 10-day celebration that focuses on ways Purdue is improving education and helping the state of Indiana as part of the university's strategic plan and $1.3 billion fund-raising campaign.
"Purdue consistently ranks as one of the finest departments of aviation technology in the nation," said Purdue President Martin C. Jischke. "The generosity of alumni like Scott Niswonger will assure that the department will be able to build on its preeminence and continue to educate the most qualified students in the field."
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The historic Aviation Technology Building that will be renovated is more than 70 years old. It originally housed part of the airport operations and administration, including the terminal and a hangar where Earhart prepared her last airplane before leaving Purdue on her ill-fated flight around the world. The plans for the new building will be formulated once the renovation costs are determined.
School of Technology Dean Dennis R. Depew said the new construction will focus on student learning. Its addition, he said, will allow the school to move aviation education into the future.
"Even before the days that Amelia Earhart lived and taught on this campus, Purdue has been at the forefront of aviation education and research," Depew said. "This new facility will allow us to update the way we teach our students and ensure that the department continues to be one of the best."
The new project will provide increased technology in classrooms to enhance students' learning environments and provide more effective space for faculty and student collaboration.
"The new building will also provide an impressive new front door for the department that will be in keeping with the world-class quality of its programs," said Thomas Q. Carney, aviation technology department head.
"Among other important features, the project will include space for collaboration on important new discovery and engagement initiatives with faculty from other departments in the School of Technology and across Purdue."
The facilities also will house the department's administrative and counseling offices, and faculty and staff offices, in addition to the new classroom facilities.
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Niswonger said he is grateful for the education he received while at Purdue, and he is proud to show his appreciation by contributing to the education of current and future students.
"Purdue's Department of Aviation Technology continues to turn out graduates at the top of the field," Niswonger said. "I owe much of my success to the comprehensive aviation education I received at Purdue, and I am proud to be a part of helping provide that education for the next generation of the industry's leaders."
At the announcement, Niswonger also received a Pinnacle Award, which is among Purdue's highest honors given to individuals and organizations in recognition of philanthropic gifts to the university.
Niswonger is chairman and CEO of Landair and Forward Air corporations, which he founded in 1981 with a $2,000 investment. Under his direction, company revenues have grown to more than $350 million annually.
The company provides level truckload operations to the air cargo industry. Prior to going public in 1993, it was recognized for three consecutive years by Inc. magazine as one of the 500 fastest growing privately held companies in the United States. It also was named Entrepreneurial Company of the Year by Coopers and Lybrand accounting firm in 1988. Forward Air has been recognized in numerous years by Forbes magazine as one of the Top 200 small companies.
Niswonger earned an associate's degree from Purdue in aviation technology in 1968 and a bachelor's degree in business administration from Tusculum College in 1987. Besides being a certified airline transport pilot, he also is a graduate of the United Airlines Training Academy in Denver, Colo., and has completed Flight Safety International courses in high-altitude meteorology and high-speed aircraft.
He received an honorary doctorate from Purdue earlier this year and is a member of the School of Technology Dean's Executive Council.
Niswonger is a trustee at Tusculum College in Greeneville, Tenn., and a board member and honorary alumnus of Eastern Tennessee State. He is a founding member of Junior Achievement in Greene County, Tennessee, and was recognized with the organization's Distinguished Graduate Award in 1994 and inducted into its Hall of Fame in 1999.
Niswonger's gift is part of the $1.3 billion Campaign for Purdue. The seven-year campaign was announced three years ago.
Writer: Matt Holsapple, (765) 494-2073, mholsapple@purdue.edu
Sources: Martin C. Jischke, (765) 494-9708, mcjischke@purdue.edu
Dennis R. Depew, (765) 494-2552, ddepew@purdue.edu
Thomas Q. Carney, (765) 494-9954, tcarney@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
Note to Journalists: Broadcast-quality video can be obtained by contacting Matt Holsapple, (765) 494-2073, mholsapple@purdue.edu, or Jesica Webb, (765) 494-2079, jwebb@purdue.edu.
PHOTO CAPTION:
Purdue alumnus Scott Niswonger, of Greenville, Tenn., surprises Purdue President Martin C. Jischke with a check for the first $1 million of a $3 million gift. The gift, which was announced today (Thursday, Oct. 14), will go toward the renovation of the Aviation Technology Building and construction of a new, adjacent facility, and Niswonger has challenged the university to raise the additional $3 million needed for the project. (Purdue News Service photo / David Umberger)
PHOTO CAPTION:
Steve Dalton, a Purdue sophomore in professional flight technology from Canton, N.Y., soars above campus on a student training flight. The professional flight program is one of the aviation technology department's three programs that will benefit from expanded teaching facilities in the new Aviation Technology Building. Purdue officials on Thursday (Oct. 14) announced a $3.5 million lead gift for the facility from alumnus Scott Niswonger. (Purdue News Service photo/David Umberger)
A publication-quality photo is available at http://news.uns.purdue.edu/images/+2004/avtech-flightlesson.jpg
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